How Far Apart Should Bollards Be Spaced?

When planning a row of bollards, one of the most important questions is:

How far apart should the bollards be?

There isn't one spacing that's correct for every installation.

The right distance depends on what the bollards are intended to achieve, the type of vehicles using the area, whether pedestrians need to pass between them and the layout of the site.

A row of bollards designed to discourage cars from entering an area may need a completely different arrangement from bollards positioned around a warehouse doorway or protecting machinery from vehicle movements.

At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture and supply fixed, removable, telescopic and fold-down steel bollards for commercial, industrial and private applications throughout the UK.

In this guide, we'll explain the main things to consider when deciding how far apart your bollards should be.

Why Does Bollard Spacing Matter?

The spacing between bollards determines what can pass through the gaps.

Position them too far apart and a vehicle may be able to drive between them.

Position them unnecessarily close together and you could restrict pedestrians, wheelchair users or other legitimate access.

The aim is therefore not simply to install as many bollards as possible.

You need to establish what you're trying to prevent and what you still need to allow through.

How Is Bollard Spacing Measured?

This is an important point because two different measurements can easily be confused.

Bollard spacing may be described as:

Centre-to-centre spacing – measured from the centre of one bollard to the centre of the next.

Clear spacing – the actual open gap between the outside faces of two neighbouring bollards.

If you're trying to determine whether something can physically pass between the bollards, the clear gap is particularly important.

For example, two large-diameter bollards positioned at the same centre-to-centre distance as two smaller bollards will leave different clear openings.

Always establish which measurement is being referred to.

What Are the Bollards Being Used For?

Before deciding on spacing, establish the purpose of the installation.

Bollards may be used to:

Restrict vehicle access
Define a vehicle route
Protect a building
Protect a doorway
Protect machinery
Protect warehouse equipment
Separate vehicles from pedestrian areas
Prevent unwanted parking
Protect vulnerable corners
Control access to private areas

Each of these applications can require a different approach.

Bollards for Preventing Vehicle Access

If the intention is to prevent ordinary vehicles from passing through a line of bollards, the clear gaps need to be considered in relation to the vehicles you're trying to restrict.

Don't simply look at the width of the vehicle body.

Vehicle dimensions can vary considerably, and motorcycles, mobility equipment and pedestrian requirements may also need to be considered.

The layout should be designed around the actual site rather than using an arbitrary spacing because it "looks about right".

Don't Forget the End Gaps

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make.

You can carefully space every bollard in a row and still leave enough room for a vehicle to pass around the end bollard.

Consider the distance between the final bollard and:

Walls
Fences
Buildings
Kerbs
Boundaries
Other barriers

If the purpose of the bollards is to restrict vehicle access, the complete line needs to be considered.

There's little benefit in creating suitable gaps between the bollards if a vehicle can simply drive around the end.

Bollards Around Buildings

Bollards are commonly installed around buildings to help protect vulnerable areas from vehicle movements.

Typical locations include:

Roller shutter doors
Loading bays
Building corners
Pedestrian entrances
Gas equipment
Electrical equipment
Pipework
Cladding
Doorways

In these situations, the spacing between bollards is only one consideration.

You also need to think about the distance between the bollards and the object being protected.

Don't Put the Bollard Directly Against What You're Protecting

A bollard generally needs some separation from the item behind it.

If a bollard is positioned immediately against a wall, machine or piece of equipment, any movement or deformation following vehicle contact could potentially transfer force into the object behind it.

The appropriate stand-off distance depends on the application and the type of protection required.

For critical applications, appropriate site-specific advice may be necessary.

Bollards Around Roller Shutter Doors

Roller shutter openings are a common location for protective bollards.

Vehicles regularly manoeuvre through these areas, and the edges of the opening can be vulnerable to accidental impact.

Bollards may be positioned on either side of the doorway to provide a visible and physical reference for drivers.

However, make sure they don't reduce the usable vehicle opening too much.

Consider:

Door width
Vehicle width
Wing mirrors
Turning movements
Loading operations
Pedestrian access

A bollard intended to protect a doorway shouldn't create a new obstacle that makes the doorway unnecessarily difficult to use.

Bollards for Warehouse Protection

Inside warehouses, bollards may be used around machinery, structural columns or other vulnerable equipment.

Forklift trucks and material-handling equipment can operate very differently from road vehicles.

They can turn in relatively confined spaces and may approach equipment from several directions.

The complete vehicle route therefore needs to be considered when deciding where the bollards should be positioned.

What About Pedestrian Access?

If pedestrians need to pass between bollards, their requirements must also be considered.

This is particularly important on:

Public-facing sites
Car parks
Footpaths
Commercial premises
Shared pedestrian and vehicle areas

Don't create an arrangement that prevents vehicles from passing but unintentionally makes the route difficult or impossible for legitimate users.

Wheelchair and Mobility Access

Accessibility is particularly important where bollards are positioned across or alongside a pedestrian route.

The arrangement may need to accommodate:

Wheelchairs
Mobility scooters
Pushchairs
Walking aids
People carrying equipment

Applicable accessibility and site-design requirements should be considered rather than choosing a gap solely on vehicle dimensions.

Should Bollards Be Evenly Spaced?

Often, evenly spaced bollards provide the neatest appearance and a consistent physical restriction.

However, site features can sometimes make equal spacing impractical.

You may need to work around:

Drainage
Manholes
Underground services
Doorways
Kerbs
Existing foundations
Changes in level

The important thing is that any variation in spacing doesn't undermine the purpose of the installation.

Check for Underground Services

Before deciding on the final position of root-fixed, removable or telescopic bollards, check what is below the ground.

Underground services may include:

Electricity cables
Gas pipes
Water supplies
Drainage
Telecommunications
Fibre-optic cables

This can sometimes mean that a proposed bollard position needs to be changed.

It's much better to identify this during planning than after excavation has started.

Fixed, Removable or Telescopic Bollards?

The type of bollard can also affect the layout.

Fixed Bollards

Fixed bollards provide a permanent restriction.

They can be useful where vehicles should never normally pass through the protected area.

Removable Bollards

Removable bollards allow the physical restriction to be temporarily removed when vehicle access is required.

The bollard is removed from its ground socket and can then be replaced when the area needs securing again.

Telescopic Bollards

Telescopic bollards retract into a below-ground housing when access is required.

This avoids having to store a removed bollard elsewhere, but requires considerably more below-ground installation space.

Fold-Down Bollards

Fold-down bollards remain attached to the ground and can be lowered when access is required.

These are commonly used for parking and lower-level vehicle access control.

The right option depends on how frequently access is required and how the area will be used.

What If I Occasionally Need Vehicle Access?

If you want a row of bollards to prevent everyday vehicle access but still need occasional entry, you don't necessarily need to make the permanent gaps wider.

Instead, you could consider incorporating one or more removable or telescopic bollards into the line.

This allows the normal spacing to be maintained while creating a larger opening when authorised vehicle access is required.

Bollard Diameter or Section Size Matters

Not all bollards are the same size.

Aremco supplies both round and square steel bollards in different dimensions.

The physical width of the post affects the clear opening between neighbouring bollards.

This is another reason why simply specifying a centre-to-centre dimension without considering the actual bollard size can be misleading.

Should Bollards Be Installed in a Straight Line?

Not necessarily.

A straight line is common where bollards are being used to create a boundary or restrict an entrance.

However, bollards protecting a building corner, piece of machinery or other individual hazard may need a different arrangement.

The layout should follow the area being protected and expected vehicle movements.

What About Sloping Ground?

Bollards can be installed on sites where ground levels vary, but the finished appearance and above-ground heights need to be considered.

If a row of bollards follows a slope, decide whether the tops should follow the ground level or whether another arrangement is required.

This is worth establishing before installation begins.

Are Standard Steel Bollards Crash Rated?

Not automatically.

A substantial steel bollard may provide a useful physical vehicle restriction, but this shouldn't be confused with a tested and certified crash-rated bollard system.

If a project requires a specific vehicle impact rating, hostile vehicle mitigation performance or other tested security standard, a product certified for that requirement should be specified.

Standard Aremco steel bollards shouldn't be represented as crash-rated unless a particular product has the relevant testing and certification.

How Many Bollards Do I Need?

The number required depends on:

Total length to be protected
Bollard size
Required clear spacing
End gaps
Access points
Site obstructions
Type of bollard

Rather than deciding on the quantity first, it's usually better to establish the area that needs protecting and then work out the appropriate layout.

A Simple Sketch Can Help

If you're requesting a quotation and aren't sure how many bollards you need, send us a sketch.

Show:

Overall length
Doorways
Walls
Vehicle routes
Required access points
Approximate proposed bollard positions

It doesn't need to be professionally drawn.

Photographs of the area can also be extremely useful.

How Far Apart Should Bollards Be? – Quick Answer

There is no single spacing suitable for every bollard installation.

Before deciding, consider:

What you're trying to prevent

Is the aim to stop cars, control parking or protect equipment?

What still needs to pass through

Pedestrians, wheelchairs and mobility equipment may need access.

The size of the bollards

Bollard diameter or section affects the clear gap.

The end gaps

Make sure vehicles can't simply travel around the final bollard.

Vehicle movements

Consider how vehicles approach and manoeuvre around the area.

Underground services

The ideal position above ground may not be possible below ground.

Need Help Planning a Bollard Layout?

If you're unsure how many bollards you need or how they should be positioned, send Aremco Barriers the dimensions and photographs of the area.

Tell us what you're trying to protect or restrict and whether vehicle access is ever required through the bollard line.

Aremco manufactures and supplies fixed, removable, telescopic and fold-down steel bollards alongside gates, barriers and other manual vehicle access-control products for commercial, industrial and private sites throughout the UK.

With more than 40 years' industry experience, we're happy to discuss the application before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should bollards be?

There isn't one spacing appropriate for every installation. The correct distance depends on the purpose of the bollards, their dimensions, vehicle requirements and whether pedestrians need to pass between them.

Is bollard spacing measured centre to centre?

It can be, but you should establish whether a specification refers to centre-to-centre spacing or the clear opening between neighbouring bollards. They are different measurements.

How do I stop cars passing between bollards?

The clear gaps need to be selected with the vehicles being restricted in mind. The gaps at either end of the bollard line also need to be considered.

Can pedestrians pass between security bollards?

They often can, but pedestrian and accessibility requirements should be considered when determining the layout.

Can I make one bollard removable to allow vehicle access?

Yes. Depending on the application, a removable or telescopic bollard can be incorporated where occasional authorised vehicle access is required.

How close should a bollard be to a building?

There isn't one universal distance. The type of bollard, vehicle movements, item being protected and required level of protection all need to be considered.

Can Aremco help me work out how many bollards I need?

Yes. Send us the dimensions, photographs or a simple sketch of the area together with information about what you're trying to achieve.

How Far Apart Should Bollards Be Spaced? | Aremco Barriers