Increased concerns about safety and security these days gave rise to the need for security bollards. They have come to be an easy source of anti-bump defense anytime and anywhere.
More than their security functions, they are also known today for beautifying landscapes, setting visible boundaries of properties or areas, and controlling traffic of people and vehicles alike.
What Bollards Are
But what exactly are bollards? A bollard is a vertical post that is made of different materials such as cement, iron, steel, plastic or wood. The early bollards were primarily used for mooring large ships at dock. Same function remains up to this date.
Presently, bollards appear more than that. They come as variety of structures situated on streets, around buildings and in prominent landscapes. They are also employed outside supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, offices, shops and stadiums.
The most common type of bollard is permanent. However, decorative bollards may come removable. While fixed ones are usually made of cement and cast-iron or steel, removable ones could be made of light weight materials like plastic. Both fixed and removable, on the other hand, feature differently shaped cross-sections. They too appear in metallic, painted and powder coat finishes.
Safety And Security – Its Main Use
Going back to the use of bollards for safety and security, applications on traffic and control also goes along with it. Some applications for traffic guidance may just require cooperation of drivers and pedestrians interpreting the presence of bollards in certain places. For example, a row of bollards linked by a chain presents a visual cue not to cross the boundary it suggests. This is a test of their cooperation on the part of the pedestrian as it may be easy for them pedestrian to go over or under the chains connecting the security bollards if they choose. Bollards designed to direct traffic are sometimes made to fold, deflect, or break away on impact.
Safety and security applications, on the other hand, depend on higher levels of impact resistance. This means that bollards designed for this purpose are all about stopping any intentional bumping. This shall keep the person concerned safe from injury and the wall or structure that is behind these vertical posts secured from any damage.
How To Mount Them
Again, bollards could be fixed or removable. Fixed bollards can be mounted into existing concrete, or installed in new foundations. Design threat, soil conditions and other site-specific factors have to be considered for them to be successfully put in place.
Manufactured and removable ones, in contrast, are frequently designed with their own mounting systems. Do not fret as these standalone mountings may not need drilling into existing concrete and anchoring with epoxy.
Due to our modern day technology, retractable security bollards are being offered by some manufacturers too. Resembling a telescope, this type may be either manual or automatically operated. Those operated manually make use of lift-assistance mechanisms while automatic ones may be electric or hydraulic. At times, they include a dedicated backup power installation for emergency purposes.
