When installing safety bollards, you need to comply with safety requirements and industry standards. Meeting proper bollard code requirements also ensures that your property is accessible and provides the right degree of protection to people and buildings.
Proper spacing is a critical factor in bollard safety requirements. Too much distance between posts may leave openings large enough for vehicles to pass through, while posts spaced too closely can limit pedestrian movement or access for emergency personnel.
Standard recommendations typically require bollards to be spaced no more than 5 feet apart (measured center-to-center), depending on use and layout. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), spacing of no less than 3 feet apart is recommended. This allows wheelchairs and other users to access all areas.
Diameter, height and wall thickness all impact the bollard’s ability to absorb or deflect vehicle force. For most safety applications, a standard bollard height of 36 to 42 inches above grade is ideal.
Larger bollards are often used for high-security or high-impact zones such as government facilities, utility infrastructure and sensitive pedestrian zones. However, it is important to balance visibility and protection. Shorter bollards may not be visible to cars, but bollards that are too high may obscure visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.
Crash-rated bollards are tested to withstand vehicle impact and are often required in high-risk environments. The most widely recognized bollard standards are ASTM F2656-07 and ASTM F3016-14. The former rates bollard perimeter protection for higher-speed vehicle impacts, while the latter evaluates safety barriers for lower-speed collisions often seen in pedestrian zone crashes.
Not all bollards are crash-rated, so it’s important to verify product certifications. Many municipalities now require crash-rated bollards for school campuses, transportation hubs and outdoor dining areas.
Always check the federal, state and local government requirements for your area before deciding which bollards are right for your property. Also consider traffic patterns, traffic volume and what your bollards are meant to protect against. For example, if you are protecting a park area near a higher-speed roadway, you may need a higher-rated bollard than you would if you were protecting a storefront on a side street with minimal traffic.
Beyond spacing and crash ratings, bollard code requirements may include foundation depth, visibility enhancements (such as lighting or reflective coatings) and the use of decorative sleeves for aesthetic compatibility. In some jurisdictions, bollard installations must also comply with ADA accessibility guidelines and emergency egress regulations.
Blockaides offers a wide selection of options — including lighted, removable, manual, automatic and decorative bollards — so you can always choose the solution that works for you and complies with regulations. We even have a detailed guide on crash-rated bollards to help you make your selection.
Meeting bollard safety requirements doesn’t have to be complicated. At Blockaides, we manufacture American-made safety products designed to protect the spaces where people live and work.
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