Frequently Asked Questions

Recently, ASTM has developed a new F3016 safety standard for traffic posts that protect storefronts and other properties from low-speed vehicle impact. 10mph safety bollards have undergone testing to make sure that they can resist vehicles traveling at speeds of up to 10 miles per hour, while 30mph-tested bollards are capable of withstanding impact at up to 30 miles per hour. Our TGI Specialties branch offers both of these safety bollard models.

Currently there are no accepted industry standards or guidelines in the USA that specifically govern the specifications, materials or marking of the traffic safety devices. However, there are various guidelines for pavement striping, location and proper spacing of bollards. Although TrafficGuard, Inccan assist in providing this information to purchasers of its products, the purchaser is ultimately responsible for the proper placement and installation of the bollards.

Visibility is the most critical safety issue. Steel pipe bollard height, color, reflective labels, and pavement markings can all help to make your installation more visible.

Visibility is important, and therefore our recommended color is TrafficGuard, Inc Yellow. We do make custom colors available upon request.

The Illinois DOT uses an average bumper height of 27″ to design road guard rails, and we felt this would be a similar design requirement for the TrafficGuard.

Anywhere you have an elevation change approaching the pathway that may hide from view the 30″ bollard.

Yes. We have a custom pin available with holes in each end to allow different agencies access, as well as a unique four padlock design single post that will allow multiple agencies access.

Please refer to the TrafficGuard, Inc Warranty available on our website.

The hinge pins are stainless steel and should require no maintenance, while the post and base may require repainting from time to time depending upon the weather in your region.

Fabricated from 3/8″ steel tube, the 4″ clearance, 30″ high post weighs 50 lbs., while the 5″ clearance, 30″ high post weighs 56 lbs.

We have anchor bolt kits available, however they are not included in the base price.

No.

Yes. We offer some products in hot dipped galvanized finish and can provide several items in stainless steel upon request.

Custom traffic bollard designs and custom colors are available upon request.

Our standard products are in stock and ready to be shipped in 48 hours or less.

Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover. Terms are also available with approved credit.

One of the most commonly asked questions about bollards is what their purpose is and what they are. A bollard is defined as a short vertical post, originally meant to be used on a ship, but nowadays used to direct or control road traffic. This includes using them to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles, such as outside of store fronts, to separate paved walkways from paved motorways, to block off public parks, etc. Bollards are typically made out of steel, but can sometimes be made out of concrete or other strong materials. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, perfect for accommodating a large number of applications. For example, there are collapsible bollards, removable bollards, parking bollards, locking and non-locking types, fixed/permanent bollards, and more. Depending on where someone wants to protect and for how long, different styles may be chosen for the job. Bollards are constructed to provide great strength, as many of them are used to prevent vehicles from passing—if a car hits a bollard, the damage is significant. There are plenty of videos that show the damage a bollard can do to cars and other vehicles, including semi-trucks.

Bollards come in a variety of sizes, in order to accommodate being used in different areas and for different purposes. Heights for bollards typically range from 30″ to 48″ tall, with the average height of them being 36″ or three feet tall. Since most vehicles are about 5 feet tall, the height of bollards is effective at stopping them from passing through into restricted areas, and if someone does attempt to bypass a bollard, they will cause significant damage to their vehicle. The width of bollards is what generally makes them stronger, though, not the height. The wider a bollard, the more weight it can withstand. The reason they are not smaller is because at 36″ (or about that tall), they are an effective visual deterrent before ever having to be a physical deterrent. Interestingly enough, the part you see is not always all there is to the bollard—permanent, embedded bollards are installed underneath the surface of the ground, similar to an iceberg. This installation method makes them even stronger.

Installing bollards is a relatively simple job. Proper installation ensures that the bollards will work effectively and reach their full potential to protect property and control traffic. First, you’ll want to mark the installation positions on the ground. Next, you’ll drill through the surface using an auger to drill holes. The hole will be wider than the bollard itself, as there will need to be rebar reinforcement and filler surrounding the bollard. You’ll then prepare the rebar cage to fit the size of the bollard. Next, position the rebar cage within the hole you drilled, then you’ll fill the hole with concrete and the bollard—depending on what sort of bollard you are installing, the individual installation steps will be different, so it is important to get specific directions for your specified bollards. The supplier you purchase bollards from will be able to instruct you on how to properly install the bollard for optimal effectiveness, or you can hire a contractor to do the job.

You’re likely familiar with sturdy-looking, metal or concrete posts that have been installed in parking lots, near storefronts, in parks, and other places. They’re called bollards, and they seem to serve a use, but what are they meant for? Bollards are short, post-like fixtures that are mainly used for controlling traffic and providing security for buildings and public areas. For instance, they are installed to stop vehicles from passing through. They’re generally spaced widely enough for pedestrians and bicycles to pass through, but cars will be significantly damaged if they try to drive past or through one. Bollards are available in many different sizes and styles, including removable or fixed versions, as well as collapsible and temporary models. The type chosen depends on the end goal of the bollard. For instance, if they are being used to protect a garage door from large trucks, taller and thicker ones may be installed, whereas if they’re meant to separate a parking lot from a paved pathway, smaller or thinner ones can be used.

When you’re shopping for bollards and are comparing prices, you’ll notice that the costs vary from company to company, and from model to model. Depending on the type you need, the price will fluctuate. Because contractors generally do not buy just one bollard, suppliers will typically come up with a list based on a project instead of a cost per product—this is because bollard jobs include things like delivery/freight costs and other expenses, and are sometimes custom produced, so it’s easier for a company to work with individual buyers on the cost rather than list a straightforward price. Additionally, with new models, costs may or may not fluctuate, and factors like supply and demand also influence pricing structures. If you have questions about how much it would cost to implement a job that requires bollards, contact Traffic Guard for more information. We’re happy to help discuss and plan your project.

Removable bollards are made from the same heavy-duty materials that fixed and collapsible bollards are made of, so they’re just as effective at preventing cars and other vehicles from passing through, but they are, as you may have imagined, removable. They are available in locking and non-locking versions, with locking systems ensuring even more security. Locking versions from Traffic Guard are available with a variety of internal or external locking mechanisms, allowing you to fully customize your level of security. Removable bollards give you the option to use parking and traffic control systems temporarily, and are ideal for low-impact applications or parking space protection. Depending on the amount of protection from traffic that a space needs, there may be a removable bollard option perfect for your needs. Some of the removable bollards weigh as little as 10 pounds, but locking bollards are a bit heavier, clocking in between 30 and 70 pounds. One thing is the same across the board for removable bollards, and that is that they are simple and easy to install.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a local park’s paved bike trails or running areas, you know the exact reason why bollards are important. The same can be said for shopping at an outdoor mall where the parking area is just steps off of the sidewalk. Bollards are effective at protecting areas and people, which is why they’re so common in public spaces. They are also good for industrial settings where potentially dangerous machinery is used, as their bright coloring makes them hard to miss—employees will notice the bollards and stay safe. Because there are so many different options for what kind of bollards to install, they’re ideal for many different uses, no matter if you’re trying to permanently secure a storefront against vehicles, protect a park against unwelcome vehicles, or barricade off a parking area, for example, at a state fair. In short, bollards are meant to keep people safe and structures protected—and that’s why they’re necessary.

One of the benefits of choosing removable bollards is that you have the option of removing them when they are unnecessary. For instance, if you need to block off a garage at a factory for standard vehicles but need the space cleared for a large delivery truck, removable bollards are a perfect solution. As for how to remove bollards? That’s simple. With locking bollards, you simply unlock the mechanism and remove the bollard post. Since a portion of the bollard post is installed underground, the above-ground part of the bollard is what is removed, while the underground parts stay in place. As for non-locking bollards, the process is even simpler. Whether you’re dealing with drop-in or twist-in bollards, simply lift out or twist the post and lift it out. It’s that easy! When you want the bollard back where it was, simple drop it in, twist it in, or place the post back in and lock it back into place. Removable bollards are meant to be convenient, and that’s just what they are.

When you think about traffic safety devices and steel pipe bollards, you likely associate them with the posts you see in parking lots that separate sidewalks and walkways from the parking areas. They’re in place there mostly to protect pedestrians and storefronts, which is great, but if you’re in a more industrial setting and need a way to protect door openings, are bollards a viable choice? In the application of protecting door openings—think of factory-like settings or other industrial areas where you want to block off garages for most vehicles and only grant access to a select group of trucks, bollards are a great option. There are several different types of bollards that are ideal for this sort of application, including removable bollards and collapsible bollards. Depending on your exact use for the bollards, one of our representatives will be able to assist you in finding the best ones. Contact Traffic Guard today for more information.