What are Bollards Used For? Bollard Definitions & Types of Bollards

What are Bollards Used For? Bollard Definitions & Types of Bollards

Modern day bollards are sturdy posts which block vehicle access from restricted roads or pedestrian areas. While you may not have known this bollard definition off hand, you probably see these simple yet sturdy structures nearly everywhere you go, from parking lots to bike paths.

Originally, however, these structures were neither simple posts nor primarily used for traffic control. Historically speaking, bollards were set up along piers and boat docks to assist with tying up boats and were made from old canons whose muzzles were buried so that just the bases appearing above ground for ropes to attach to. Some of these canon bollards can still be seen along old docks, like in the picture below.

The most common bollard type these days is a simple metal post with a bollard cover in a highly visible color like yellow. But they don't always look so industrial. More decorative bollard styles like the ones which line bike paths and walkways are more elaborate, elegant, and may even serve double purposes as light fixtures or bike locks.

We'll discuss these various bollard types below.

In this post we'll cover:

1. What is a bollard post?

2. What is a bollard cover?

3. What is a bollard used for? 

What is a bollard post?

Some bollard posts are sturdier than others with some even designed to be truly crash-resistant so that they can withhold impact and protect both buildings and people from car-ramming attacks. These crash-resistant bollards must pass impact-resistance tests. High security buildings such as government facilities may secure their grounds with this type of crash-resistant bollard, especially if there's a concern for vehicle-based terrorist attacks or ram-raiding burglaries. Cars are powerful forces, after all, and it takes more than a simple steel post to stop a high-speed impact.

Even so, non-crash-resistant bollards can still successfully increase safety. After all, it's hard for a layperson to tell from the outer appearance exactly how impact-resistant a bollard is. This alone can dissuade vehicle attacks. Whether the bollard is truly impact resistant or not, the driver notices that vehicle impediments have been installed.  

What is a bollard cover?

Businesses who want to protect their storefronts with these sturdy bollard posts often want to do so without greatly disrupting the attractive storefront appearance they've carefully designed to attract customers and create curb appeal. In short, they want their security bollard to blend in.

On the other hand, warehouse and factory workers may want to accentuate how noticeable and visible these safety barriers are. They want their security bollards to stand out even more!

This is why bollard covers are about as common as bollards themselves. These simple, high-density plastic covers slip directly over standard bollards and fit snugly on top without adhesives. Many also allow for the addition of reflective tape to best optimize for safety.  

This allows businesses to optimize for visibility or coordinate with existing design themes. 

What is a bollard used for? 4 Primary uses for bollards.

As discussed above, bollards can keep pedestrians and storefronts safe from accidental or intentional vehicle damage by either implying impenetrability, or by creating a truly impenetrable barrier. 

But we can look at the purpose of a bollard a little more granularly as well.