Bollards

Bollards

Bollards define vehicle-exclusion boundaries — the line between where cars and trucks can and can't go. On active worksites they keep plant and delivery vehicles out of exclusion zones; around buildings they mark pedestrian-only areas, protect building corners, and control site access. The correct specification depends on whether the bollard is permanent infrastructure or temporary site control.

Bollard types

• Rubber-base portable bollards — the site workhorse. Quick to deploy, stable enough for light-traffic exclusion, repositionable. Not rated for vehicle impact.
• Removable steel bollards — lockable sockets let authorised vehicles pass while keeping general traffic out. Common at loading docks and gated sites.
• Fixed steel bollards — concrete-embedded for permanent vehicle exclusion. Specify a crash rating (e.g., PAS 68 or ASTM F2656) if the bollard is intended to stop a vehicle rather than just guide it.
• Flexible bollards — polyurethane or rubber that bends on impact, reverting to shape. Suited to car park delineation where occasional low-speed strikes are expected.

Bollard vs traffic cone

Cones are for short-term, high-turnover site marking. Bollards are for sustained exclusion — harder to knock over, more visually definitive, and typically carrying higher wind and impact resistance. For multi-week projects, bollards reduce the daily faff of resetting displaced cones.

Visibility

Most site bollards carry retro-reflective banding at 100–150 mm intervals. Fluoro colours (orange, yellow) are typical for daytime visibility; white/red banding is the AS/NZS standard for vehicle-exclusion use.

Fixing and socket systems

Removable bollards use a below-ground sleeve with a padlocked keeper. Fixed bollards are typically 600 mm concrete-embedded. Portable rubber-base bollards simply sit on the surface — appropriate for temporary work only.

Pair with the rest of the kit

Complete a vehicle-exclusion setup with traffic cones for approach tapering and safety chain between bollards for continuous perimeter control.

Frequently asked questions

Will a rubber-base bollard stop a car?

No — portable bollards are guidance and exclusion markers, not impact-rated barriers. For actual vehicle impact protection, specify a fixed crash-rated steel bollard.

Do I need approval to install fixed bollards?

On public road reserves, yes — fixed bollards typically require council or road-authority approval. On private sites, check with the property owner and any lease conditions.

What's the typical spacing between bollards for pedestrian protection?

1.2–1.5 m centre-to-centre is the common spec — tight enough to exclude most vehicles, wide enough to allow wheelchair and pram access.

Do you offer trade or bulk pricing?

Yes — trade accounts get 5% off RRP, and site-wide bollard orders qualify for project-level pricing. Apply for a trade account →