Can I Put Bollards on My Commercial Property?

Commercial security bollards are a popular and effective vehicle security solution for business premises. These strong, sturdy posts can help to prevent traffic accidents, deter criminals and mitigate the impact of vehicular attacks. Their sleek and contemporary appearance can also enhance the overall aesthetic of a commercial property.

This guide explores everything you need to know about installing bollards on your business premises. We will also discuss the key benefits of commercial security bollards, and the various types, features and finishes available.

The Importance of Security Bollards for Commercial Properties

Bollards are useful security devices that help to safeguard property and pedestrians from vehicular intrusions. They are often used in a variety of private, public, industrial and commercial settings, including places of business.

There are many reasons to consider installing bollards on your commercial property. Let’s explore some of the key benefits they offer.

Vehicle Access Control

One of the primary reasons businesses opt for bollards is to regulate vehicle access on their premises. Bollards can effectively prevent unauthorised entry or access to restricted areas, such as loading zones or parking spaces. This level of control can help to prevent accidents, security breaches and costly delays in your business operations.

Pedestrian Safety

Bollards play a vital role in protecting pedestrians on commercial properties. By separating pedestrian walkways from vehicular traffic, they create a safer environment for employees and customers. Bollards can also be strategically placed to direct foot traffic along specific routes, guiding pedestrians away from potential hazards or restricted areas.

Commercial bollards with lights provide additional safety at night, and in low-light conditions. They feature bright LEDs that enhance visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

Asset Protection

Commercial bollards serve as robust barriers to protect your business’s assets, including buildings, equipment and outdoor structures. By installing bollards around vulnerable areas, you can minimise the damage caused by accidental collisions.

Bollards can also help to deter criminal activity, such as theft and vandalism. Crash-rated bollards can also be used for hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) purposes, i.e. to prevent vehicular attacks and terrorism.

Guidelines for Installing Bollards on a Commercial Property

If you plan to put bollards on your commercial property, there are certain regulations and guidelines that you must follow.

Firstly, you can only install bollards on privately-owned land. If you rent your business premises, you will need permission from the landowner or management company.

You cannot erect commercial bollards on public land without consent from the local authority. This includes council-owned roads, lay-bys and parking spaces, even those directly outside your business premises. Additionally, your bollards must not block shared access paths, or prevent others from accessing the public highway from their property.

Planning permission is not generally required for bollard security barriers. However, it is worth consulting with your local council in case of any local restrictions or guidelines.

Safety and Accessibility Considerations

Proper selection and installation of commercial bollards is crucial to ensure their effectiveness and safety. For example, HVM bollards should have a suitable crash test rating

You must also ensure that your bollard system complies with the Equality Act 2010. This legislation requires businesses to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including employees and customers. For example, bollards must be sufficiently spaced so as not to obstruct access for wheelchair users.

Types of Commercial Security Bollards

There are many different types of bollards, providing a flexible solution for different budgets and security needs. This versatility allows businesses to tailor their bollard systems to their unique requirements.

• Fixed bollards are permanently installed into the ground, providing a sturdy and reliable barrier for perimeter protection. They are ideal for locations where access restrictions will remain consistent and long-term security is a priority.
• Removable bollards offer the advantage of flexibility, as they can be easily removed and relocated. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that require occasional access, e.g. for larger vehicles or emergency services.
• Manual telescopic bollards can be raised or lowered into the ground as needed via a key or locking mechanism. Retractable security bollards typically offer better impact resistance than removable options.
• Automatic bollards, or electric security bollards, provide the highest level of convenience and control. These bollards can be raised or lowered remotely, typically through remote control. They are well-suited for high-traffic business premises where access needs to be adjusted frequently.

Various sizes, styles, colours and finishes are available for your commercial bollard. Lights and reflective coatings help to increase visibility, while custom powder coatings can be used to complement the surrounding architecture. Contact Macs Bollards for expert advice and recommendations.

What Kinds of Properties Can Benefit From Durable Security Bollards?

At MACs Bollards, we have extensive experience when it comes to installing a wide range of security bollards in commercial, private and public properties of all kinds. Just some of the property types we are regularly called on to help protect with hard-wearing, durable bollards include:

So, no matter what kind of property you’re looking to protect, don’t hesitate to get in touch today!

Contact Macs Bollards Today

We are Macs Bollards: Manchester-based suppliers of high-quality bollards for private, public and commercial use. We pride ourselves on our dedication to customer service and technical excellence.

We provide a range of removable, manual telescopic and automatic commercial security bollards, including crash-rated models and commercial LED bollards. We also offer a competitive bollard repair and maintenance service to keep your business’s security system running smoothly.

Contact Macs Bollards today to speak to our helpful team. We will work with you to determine the most suitable commercial bollards for your needs and budget. Fill in our enquiry form, email enquiries@macs-bollards.com or call us on 0161 320 6463.

Macs Automated Bollard Systems Ltd specialise in the nationwide supply of automatic rising bollards. Our experts keep the Macs Bollards blog updated with all the latest bollard news!