Bollards are short, immovable columns used to restrict access to certain areas. They are useful for traffic control and establishing safety zones. Construction managers can also use them to increase worksite safety and security. Learn more about what a bollard is in construction and how to use them effectively.
How Bollards Are Used in Construction
Bollards in construction serve to separate traffic and protect designated areas, much like they do in parking, traffic, and event safety. By restricting vehicles to specific zones, bollards help maintain safety and protect both construction workers and on-site equipment.
Their strength makes bollards a good choice for securing worksites and equipment. They establish a visible physical perimeter for designated work areas, reducing the risk of unauthorized traffic entering or someone removing equipment.
Construction bollards work well to create designated pedestrian or worker break areas. Their impact-resistance and visibility protect people from moving vehicles and construction equipment.
Another excellent use for bollards in construction is to secure infrastructure from accidental equipment damage. Placing bollards around fire hydrants, power boxes, transformers, and water supplies reduces the risk of a worker accidentally striking something while moving around the worksite.
Considerations for Choosing Construction Bollards
During a roadside construction project, there could be hundreds of workers just feet away from moving traffic, making safety a top priority. Bollards provide critical, crash-rated protection to keep people safe, offering a stronger and more reliable barrier against high-speed impacts than cones or traffic barrels.
Additionally, construction equipment is typically larger and more powerful than standard vehicles, often weighing several tons. Construction bollards must be able to withstand impacts from such heavy machinery to ensure the safety of workers and the worksite.
Types of Construction Bollards
Construction bollards are generally steel tubes or barriers that you can paint or fit with a sleeve for higher visibility. They are used to mark perimeters, protect workers and equipment, and direct traffic around construction sites.
There are many different types of bollards; some are better suited for construction projects. Your specific application, including the estimated project time and level of protection needed, plays a role in determining which type to use.
Shallow Foundation
Shallow foundation bollards are ideal for permanent or semi-permanent installation. They attach to a shallow, 12-inch foundation for stability. Bollard tubes attach to the foundation to provide visibility and crash protection.
You can fit our crash-rated shallow-foundation DSC650 bollards with manual-lift tubes, facilitating access for construction equipment and deliveries. Cast aluminum and fiberglass covers offer customizable options for tube covers.
Surface-Mounted
Portable bollards are an excellent solution for most construction projects due to their flexibility. They can be easily moved and reused at multiple job sites. Many portable bollards can be used individually or connected in groups, providing versatile options for different needs. Connections between grouped bollards help to control pedestrian traffic.
Surface-mounted construction bollards are a cost-effective solution to providing security and visibility at a construction site. They are quick to set up and take down, requiring no additional construction, excavation, or engineering. Additionally, their portability often simplifies purchasing, as they are not classified as permanent physical assets.
Benefits of Construction Bollards
Using bollards to secure construction sites offers numerous benefits. They increase safety and security in several ways, including:
- Site security: When used with perimeter fencing, bollards add an extra layer of security for expensive equipment left on job sites. By restricting vehicle access, they make it difficult – if not impossible – for unauthorized individuals to remove large items.
- Traffic control: Removable and retractable bollards restrict and control vehicle access to a worksite, reducing unauthorized entry and keeping the area clear for workers.
- Worksite safety: Construction bollards protect workers from impacts caused by surrounding traffic. Considering that in 2021, more than 60% of fatalities at roadside worksites were the result of a vehicle impact, bollards can significantly improve worker safety on construction projects near traffic.
Bollards in construction come with extra benefits, too. You can make them highly visible with customization options for covers, which can further increase security, or use them to display your company name around the job site.
Learn More About Bollards in Construction Projects
Construction bollards provide increased safety and security. However, they are one of many tools construction professionals can use to achieve these benefits. If you have specific concerns about construction site safety or controlling vehicle access, contact our team at Delta Scientific. One of our sales professionals will work with you to find appropriate solutions to your site needs.