A barrier is a large, sturdy object that is often used to block off or control access to an area, usually with a degree of linear protection. For example, a barrier may be made up of a series of blocking objects mounted in the ground close to one another or which are linked together in some way. A bollard is, therefore, a type of barrier. Bollards aren’t linked to one another but stand in their own foundations and are typically spaced apart so that vehicles cannot pass between them but pedestrians and cyclists can easily get past. One of the distinguishing features of a bollard – as opposed to barriers – is that they tend to be smaller and cylindrical in shape. A typical bollard will be about knee height whereas a barrier system – whether it is linked together or not – will often be taller.
In some cases, of course, the distinction between bollards and barriers can be very fine and it sometimes comes down to the way they are deployed rather than the physical properties of the products themselves. They are both items that fall under the wider category of street furniture and they can be used in both public realm spaces – such as plazas and pedestrianised shopping streets, for instance – as well as in private grounds. Another common feature of both bollards and barriers is that they tend to be made of robust, heavy-duty materials. This is because although they restrict access because of their physical presence, they are to some extent designed to take a certain amount of damage. They’re often designed to be sacrificial and meant to prevent further damage from occurring elsewhere.
Commercial Uses for Barriers
These days, barriers are used in commercial settings for a variety of different reasons. To begin with, they can be used to keep people or vehicles out of a designated area. For example, they might be deployed in a parking facility to allow the public access to one part of the car park while allowing access among corporate users to another area. There again, they can also be deployed to control the flow or rate of traffic, ideal for drive-through retail outlets, for example. They can also be used to create a designated space, such as a pedestrianised area where shoppers can walk around unhindered by traffic. In this regard, they are really safety products that are used in commercial settings to protect people or property from harm.
Commercial Uses for Bollards
Although less prominent than barriers, bollards are typically used to control vehicle access without creating a physical barrier that will also redirect pedestrians. For this reason, and for the fact that they are often less visually obtrusive than barriers, they are typically installed between roadways and car parks and leisure or shopping facilities. This is because they prevent unwarranted access by motorists to commercial areas while keeping the open and free-flowing nature of the space for pedestrians intact. They can be used to protect pedestrians but also property. Bollards are often installed around cash machines and other high-value items in the urban realm to prevent vehicles from being used to ‘smash and grab’ them, for example. Like barriers, bollards are also used to reduce the speeds of vehicles by creating narrower lanes for them to access certain designated areas.
Which Is Necessary for My Business?
Barriers are used in settings where higher security standards may be needed or when business premises are closer to faster-moving traffic, such as main roads. They are also useful when access prevention is required for pedestrians as well as drivers. Bollards are more often used by businesses that want to encourage people to walk around, so they tend to be used more in the retail and leisure sectors.
How Difficult is Installation for Each?
Some barriers and bollards are easy to install and just require a few screws or bolts. These will often be referred to as floor-mounted street furniture and won’t take long to fit. More substantial barriers and bollards will be set into concrete footings. Although these take longer and cause more disruption to install, they offer formidable resistance when they are knocked or driven into. The most difficult and costly ones to fit can be raised and lowered since these types of retractable bollards and barriers will also need power and control gear to be installed.
