What Type of Bollard Do I Need? Fixed, Removable, Telescopic or Fold-Down?
Choosing a security bollard isn't simply a case of deciding on a size and colour. The most important question is how you need the area to operate once the bollard has been installed.
Does the bollard need to remain permanently in position? Will vehicles occasionally need access? Do you want the bollard to disappear below ground when not required, or would a simple fold-down post do the job?
Fixed, removable, telescopic and fold-down bollards all provide different advantages.
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture and supply a range of steel bollards for commercial, industrial and private applications across the UK. This guide explains the main differences to help you decide which type may be most suitable for your site.
What Are the Main Types of Bollard?
For everyday vehicle access control, bollards can broadly be divided into four types:
The right choice depends on whether vehicle access needs to be permanent, occasional or frequent.
Fixed Bollards
A fixed bollard remains permanently in position once installed.
These are often the simplest option where vehicles should never need to pass through the protected area.
Fixed steel bollards can be used to define boundaries, discourage unauthorised vehicle access and help protect areas where permanent vehicle restriction is required.
Typical applications include:
Commercial premises
Industrial sites
Pedestrian areas
Car parks
Building perimeters
Service areas
Machinery or equipment protection
Areas where vehicles should not normally enter
When Should I Choose a Fixed Bollard?
A fixed bollard is worth considering when you do not require vehicle access through the protected area.
Because there is no need to remove, lower or unlock the bollard during normal use, it provides a straightforward solution with very little day-to-day operation.
However, think carefully about future access before installing one.
If maintenance, emergency, delivery or contractor vehicles may occasionally need to pass through the area, a removable or telescopic bollard could provide greater flexibility.
Removable Bollards
A removable bollard provides vehicle restriction when required but can be completely removed to allow authorised access.
The bollard normally locates into a socket installed in the ground and is secured in position when in use.
When access is needed, the bollard is unlocked and lifted out of the socket.
This makes removable bollards particularly useful for entrances where access is required occasionally rather than continuously.
Where Are Removable Bollards Used?
Typical applications include:
Private access roads
Commercial premises
Car parks
Service entrances
Maintenance areas
Restricted access routes
Industrial sites
Areas requiring occasional vehicle access
What Happens to the Bollard When It Is Removed?
This is something that is sometimes overlooked.
A removable bollard has to be physically taken out and stored somewhere safe while the entrance is open.
If the bollard is going to be removed several times every day, repeatedly lifting, carrying and storing it may not be the most practical arrangement.
For occasional access, however, removable bollards can provide a simple and effective solution.
Telescopic Bollards
A telescopic bollard operates differently.
Instead of being completely removed, the inner post lowers into an outer casing installed below ground.
When vehicle restriction is required, the bollard is raised into its operating position and secured.
When access is required, it is unlocked and lowered back into the ground.
The main advantage is that there is no separate bollard to carry away and store.
Where Are Telescopic Bollards Useful?
Telescopic bollards can be particularly useful for:
Driveways
Commercial entrances
Parking spaces
Restricted vehicle entrances
Sites requiring regular authorised access
They provide a neat solution where a bollard needs to be available when required but unobtrusive when access is open.
Removable vs Telescopic Bollards
Customers often ask which of these two options is better.
There isn't one answer for every site.
A removable bollard can be a straightforward choice where access is only required occasionally and there is somewhere convenient to store the post.
A telescopic bollard may be preferable where the entrance is used more frequently because the bollard remains within its underground housing rather than needing to be carried elsewhere.
Installation requirements are also different.
A telescopic bollard requires sufficient depth below ground to accommodate its casing, so underground services, drainage and ground conditions should be considered before installation.
Fold-Down Bollards
A fold-down bollard, sometimes called a folding parking post, remains attached to the ground but folds down when vehicle access is required.
When raised and secured, it provides a visible restriction. When access is needed, it can be unlocked and lowered towards the ground.
Fold-down posts are often used for:
Individual parking spaces
Driveways
Small commercial premises
Private parking areas
Low-frequency access control
Their compact design makes them particularly useful where a large permanent post would be unnecessary.
Fold-Down vs Removable Bollards
The main difference is what happens when the entrance is opened.
A removable bollard is lifted completely out of its ground socket.
A fold-down bollard remains attached to the ground and is simply lowered.
This means there is nothing separate to store with a fold-down post.
However, the folded post remains on the surface, so its position and the available ground clearance need to be considered carefully.
Which Bollard Is Best for a Parking Space?
For an individual parking space, a fold-down parking post is often one of the simplest solutions.
It can be raised and secured when the parking space needs to be protected and folded down when an authorised vehicle needs access.
A telescopic bollard can provide an alternative where a more substantial post is required and the site is suitable for below-ground installation.
The correct choice depends on the level of vehicle control required, how frequently the parking space is accessed and the available budget.
Which Bollard Is Best for an Entrance?
For an entrance that needs to be opened periodically, removable or telescopic bollards are often worth considering.
If access is very occasional, removable bollards may be sufficient.
Where access is required more frequently, telescopic bollards can avoid the need to repeatedly lift and store a complete post.
For wider entrances, more than one bollard may be required to provide suitable spacing across the opening.
How Far Apart Should Bollards Be?
Bollard spacing depends on what you are trying to achieve.
There is no single spacing suitable for every application.
The width of vehicles, pedestrian access requirements, site layout and purpose of the bollards all need to be considered.
If the aim is to prevent normal vehicles passing between the posts, the gap needs to be selected accordingly.
Where pedestrians, wheelchairs or mobility equipment also use the area, accessibility requirements must be considered as part of the overall layout.
Root-Fixed or Bolt-Down?
The installation method is another important consideration.
Some bollards are root fixed, meaning part of the post or its socket is installed below ground into a prepared foundation.
Others may be bolt down, where a base plate is secured to a suitable existing surface.
Not every fixing method is appropriate for every bollard or every site.
Existing concrete thickness, ground conditions, underground services and the intended use of the bollard should all be considered before installation.
Check for Underground Services
This is especially important for removable and telescopic bollards.
Before excavating, the proposed installation area should be checked for underground services such as:
Electricity cables
Gas pipes
Water pipes
Drainage
Telecommunications
Other buried services
A telescopic bollard in particular requires significant below-ground space for its housing.
Never assume an area is clear simply because there is nothing visible at surface level.
What Finish Should I Choose?
The finish depends on the environment and appearance required.
Steel bollards may be supplied in finishes including galvanised, powder coated, or galvanised and then powder coated, depending on the particular product.
Powder coating also allows bollards to be supplied in different RAL colours where required.
Reflective bands or contrasting finishes can also improve visibility, particularly in car parks and vehicle areas.
Do Bollards Require Maintenance?
Yes.
Even simple manual bollards should be inspected periodically.
Depending on the type of bollard, checks may include:
Locks and padlocks
Hinges
Moving components
Ground sockets
Telescopic mechanisms
Fixings
Corrosion
Impact damage
Drainage around below-ground components
Ground sockets should be kept reasonably clear of dirt and debris, and moving components should continue to operate freely.
Any bollard that has suffered significant vehicle impact should be inspected before continuing to rely on it.
Are These Bollards Crash Rated?
It is important to distinguish between vehicle access-control bollards and specialist crash-rated or hostile vehicle mitigation systems.
A standard steel bollard should not automatically be assumed to have a certified impact rating.
If a project specifies a particular crash-test standard, impact rating or hostile vehicle mitigation requirement, a product specifically tested and certified for that application should be selected.
Quick Guide – Which Bollard Should I Choose?
Choose a fixed bollard if:
Vehicle access through the area is not normally required.
Choose a removable bollard if:
You need occasional vehicle access and are happy to remove and store the post.
Choose a telescopic bollard if:
You require regular access and want the bollard to lower into the ground rather than be removed.
Choose a fold-down bollard if:
You need a simple way to control access to a parking space, driveway or smaller entrance.
Need Help Choosing the Right Bollard?
If you're unsure which bollard would be most suitable, Aremco Barriers can help you compare the available options.
Tell us:
What you are trying to prevent or control
The width of the area
How frequently vehicle access is required
The type of vehicles using the site
Whether the surface is concrete, tarmac or another material
Your preferred finish
Any known underground restrictions
Photographs of the proposed installation area can also help us understand the application.
Aremco Barriers manufactures and supplies steel vehicle access-control products for commercial, industrial, public-sector and private applications throughout the UK.
Please note: Prices displayed on the Aremco Barriers website are guide prices only. Contact us for a quotation based on your specific requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a removable and telescopic bollard?
A removable bollard is completely lifted out of its ground socket when access is required. A telescopic bollard lowers into an underground casing and remains within the installation.
Which bollard is easiest to use?
This depends on how frequently it needs to be operated. A removable bollard can be very straightforward for occasional access, while a telescopic bollard may be more convenient where access is required regularly.
Can removable bollards be locked?
Yes. Removable bollards can be supplied with locking arrangements to help prevent unauthorised removal.
Can I use a bollard on a driveway?
Yes. Fold-down, removable and telescopic bollards can all be suitable for driveway access control depending on the installation and how frequently access is required.
Can bollards be powder coated?
Many steel bollards can be supplied powder coated, with RAL colour options available depending on the particular product and specification.
Does Aremco manufacture automatic rising bollards?
No. Aremco Barriers specialises in manual vehicle access-control products and does not manufacture automatic rising bollards.
Are Aremco bollards crash rated?
Unless a particular product is specifically stated and certified as impact or crash rated, it should not be treated as a crash-rated bollard. Specialist tested systems should be specified where a project requires a certified impact performance.
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