How Do I Select the Right Bollard?

As experts in safety equipment, our customers often ask for our guidance in how to select the right bollard for their project.

Getting the right bollard for your situation is not only crucial for safety and protection but can also enhance your area's functionality and appearance.

Don't worry; it's not as daunting as it seems! Let's dive into some common scenarios and see which bollard fits the best!

Friendly Guardians for Fire Doors

Fire doors play a critical role in emergencies, ensuring safe egress from buildings. It’s essential, as stipulated by the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian Standards AS1905.1 and AS1530.4, that fire doors remain unobstructed.

To achieve this, especially from potential vehicle blockages, safety bollards are recommended. These bollards effectively allow pedestrian movement on either side while preventing vehicles from blocking the exits. It’s important that these bollards stand out and be robust enough to keep the area obstruction-free. 

Navigating Shared Zone Parking Spaces

In shared zone parking spaces, especially those dedicated to people with disabilities, specific guidelines are in place. The Australian Standard AS/NZS 2890 recommends bollards that are at least 1300mm high, making them easily visible for drivers. They should be placed right in the centre of a shared zone and be about 800mm from the painted zone's roadway edge. Beyond these requirements, feel free to choose a bollard that matches your aesthetic preferences and functional needs.

Shielding Your External Assets

Need to protect air conditioning units, fire hydrants, or other external assets from accidental collisions? Brightly coloured bollards, especially in safety yellow, are your best bet for this application. Not only do they offer a physical barrier, but their vibrant colour also acts as a visual warning, significantly enhancing safety. The value or criticality of the asset should dictate the size and strength of your bollard choice. For high-value or essential assets, consider opting for larger, robust bollards, ideally inground types filled with concrete. If it isn’t feasible, its crucial to select heavy wall bollards with a larger diameter, such as 140mm, 165mm or even 220mm. For assets requiring periodic maintenance, removable bollards are an excellent choice as they provide both protection and ease of access. 

Keeping Your Glass Doors and Storefronts Safe

For safeguarding glass doors and storefronts against accidental or intentional collisions, bollards are your trusty protectors. Consider architectural, concrete, or stainless steel bollards, which not only provide robust protection but also add a touch of elegance.

Marking Passages and Walkways

Marking passages and walkways can help guide pedestrians and prevent accidents. Architectural bollards, especially those with a central hole allowing for ropes or wires, serve as intuitive markers, clearly demarcating the direction pedestrians should follow. If you prefer a more traditional approach, standard bollards equipped with chain ring attachments are a viable choice, enabling chains to be strung from one bollard to another, defining clear paths. For those seeking functionality and aesthetics, stainless steel bollards are an excellent choice. Their rust-resistant properties ensure longevity, while their authentic appearance adds a touch of elegance to any setting, seamlessly blending safety with style. 

General Carpark Bollards for Vehicle Protection

Carparks are high risk zones with unique safety challenges. Bollards are used in carparks to control traffic flow, protect buildings and infrastructure, and enhance the aesthetic appeal of building entrances. Steel bollards are essential for separating pedestrians from vehicles and for protecting property. For carparks, fixed steel bollards are generally a good choice, offering sturdy protection against potential vehicle impacts while Flexible impact bollards come in handy in tight corners.

Securing Your Industrial Facilities

For warehouses and industrial facilities, you may want to consider shock-absorbing bollards and impact bollards, specifically designed to withstand heavy-duty impacts. Bollards with a larger diameter, such as 165mm or 220mm bollards are popular choices in these applications because of their heavy duty nature. As with all facilities, it's extremely important in an industrial facility that fire exit doors are kept clear. Bollards (like the ones mentioned above) are essential in these circumstances to ensure machinery is not installed or placed in a position that will jeopardise the safety of workers in a fire emergency. 

Bollards for Health Facilities

In the health sector, where sanitation and durability are of high importance, selecting the right bollard material is crucial. Stainless steel bollards stand out as an exceptional choice for health facilities. Renowned for its resistance to corrosion, stainless steel can endure frequent cleans, as is necessary in health care environments to ensure a germ-free environment. The ease of maintenance combined with the resilience of stainless steel makes it a preferred choice for hospitals, clinics and other health care environments. 

Bollards for Different Surfaces

Finally, let's not forget that bollards also need to be compatible with the surfaces they are installed on. Surface-mounted bollards are a perfect match for concrete surfaces or bitumen and can be bolted securely onto such surfaces, ensuring maximum stability.

For softer terrains or dirt surfaces, in-ground bollards are the way to go. Core drilling is the common method to install in-ground bollards. It involves using a specialised drill to create the hole in the ground surface. The hole is then filled with concrete, and while the concrete is still wet, the base of the bollard is inserted. As the concrete dries and solidifies, it encases the bollards base, offering steadfast protection and stability. This method ensures that the bollard remains deeply rooted and can stand up to various impacts without shifting from its position.

Choosing the right bollard may seem like a big task, but remember, it's all about understanding your specific needs, any regulations, and the surrounding environment. If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to seek professional advice from our team at Area Safe. We’re always willing to help out and make recommendations!