Gas stations today must take extra precautions as they’re a hub for vehicles and combustible liquids. With continuous activity above vast fuel reservoirs, gas stations become vulnerable hotspots for accidents and potential disasters.
Bollards for gas stations are crucial to the safety of customers, employees and the premises in and around them. They can help prevent unauthorized entries into designated areas and mitigate the risks of accidents or intentional damage caused by vehicles.
But what else do they offer? What types of bollards are on the market? And, most importantly, how do you choose the best bollards for your gas station?
Why Gas Station Bollards Are Important
There is more to bollards than being a sturdy barrier — these structures can help bolster a gas station’s protection and security. If you help manage a gas station, take a moment to consider the following reasons why gas station bollards are crucial:
Attendant Safety
Gas stations are hubs for vehicles. To help protect your attendees, you can install bollards around the booths. Permanent bollards around booths can serve as a protective barrier for attendees against moving vehicles. Although vehicles don’t typically move fast in gas stations, bollards can help attendants feel safe and secure.
Perimeter Security
Installing a perimeter of bollards around the gas station can prevent wayward vehicles from entering restricted areas. This helps minimize the risk of explosive contact with pumps and prevents potential damages and injuries caused by intoxicated or distracted drivers.
Gas and Air Pump Protection
Permanent bollards encircling gas and air pumps help prevent explosions, injuries and property damage. This preventative measure against potentially severe incidents allows drivers and employees to use unimpeded gas and air pumps.
Service Center Protection
Most gas stations also have service stations where they provide additional vehicle services. Adding bollards into the loading areas of service centers adds a layer of protection. Installing bollards can help protect valuable service center items from potential vehicle collisions. Bollards can also help protect customers’ cars from big dents and scratches.
Advantages of Bollards for Gas Stations
As we now understand, bollards are crucial for gas station safety for all stakeholders. Looking from a different perspective, they also offer various benefits. Each of the following advantages contributes to the overall safety, protection and aesthetic appeal of the gas station:
- Adaptability: Bollards are highly adaptable to different business environments, accommodating diverse needs. They can be customized based on strength requirements, visibility preferences and aesthetic considerations.
- Deterrence against theft: Bollards will help deter would-be thieves by preventing vehicles from driving up close to the doors, which enhances a gas station’s security.
- Enhanced customer safety: Gas pump bollards significantly improve customer safety by reducing the risk of accidents and potential fires. This creates a secure environment for those visiting the gas station.
- Minimization of damage: In the event of accidental contact, bollards reduce a vehicle’s force hitting gas station tanks. As a result, bollards minimize damage to the pump and prevent potential leaks or spills.
- Perimeter security: Installing bollards can help safeguard pedestrians from oncoming traffic and create a secure perimeter.
- Traffic control: Bollards help in regulating traffic lanes within the gas station. Placing them in strategic locations guides drivers on and off the premises and serves as an indicator of suitable driving lanes.
- Spark prevention: Bollards may help prevent sparking by acting as a buffer in case of vehicle-pump contact. This is particularly important after fueling, as gasoline vapors may linger in the air, posing a fire hazard if ignited by sparks.
Types of Bollards
There are various types of bollards on the market, each serving different purposes — whether they’re for security, asset protection or purely aesthetic. Each type has pros and cons, depending on your needs — outside of security and protection.
X-Frame Safety Bollard
Another unique type of bollard is the X-frame safety bollard. It boasts an innovative design for exceptional strength and stability. Crash-tested to meet ASTM F3016 certification requirements, these bollards disperse collision forces over a larger area. X-frame safety bollards are ideal for high-impact exterior applications, such as protecting storefronts, gas cages, gas pumps and convenience stores.
Crash-Rated Bollards
Crash-rated bollards are your security barriers, safeguarding against low- and high-speed vehicle collisions. They undergo rigorous testing for durability and resistance, considering factors such as vehicle weight, speed and penetration distance. They’re typically created from materials that can resist weather-related damage, UV fading, scratches and rust.
Fixed Bollards
These bollards are anchored securely into the ground or concrete, providing additional strength and security. Fixed bollards are ideal for permanent layouts with consistent access needs. They offer a cost-effective solution for locations with secure foundational structures like parking lots, access drives or gas stations.
Automatic Bollards
These types of bollards are also known as rising or telescopic bollards. As the name suggests, automatic bollards are retractable and can rise and withdraw without manual intervention. Automatic bollards are a great option in situations where traffic flow varies. Controlled pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically, they find applications in spaces like parking garages or entrances to public facilities with changing access requirements.
Lighted Bollards
Lighted bollards combine functionality with aesthetics as they incorporate lights for safety. In most cases, lighted bollards are fixed, but you can find removable lighted bollards as well. Gas stations are typically open during nighttime hours. These bollards help enhance the visibility of gas station structures like booths or parking areas. These bollards are also used in landscaping to cater to areas with increased foot traffic during nighttime.
Manual Bollards
For situations where manual control is preferred, manual bollards are for you. They’re similar to automatic bollards but retract manually. They come in stainless steel or carbon steel with various finish options. Suited for basic access control applications, these bollards are suitable for situations where frequent adjustments to traffic restrictions are not necessary.
Removable Bollards
Another versatile option is removable bollards, which work on the same principle as retractable ones. With an assortment of materials and locking options, they occasionally provide flexibility in changing access privileges. These bollards are ideal for government facilities, public buildings, parking lots and restricted access areas.
Decorative Bollards
For those seeking an aesthetic touch, decorative bollards are an excellent choice. While not designed for heavy-duty use, they add visual appeal to sidewalks or building fronts, guiding traffic effectively. Highly customizable in materials such as iron or aluminum, these bollards offer flexibility, allowing them to complement various architectural styles.
Choosing the Right Bollard for Your Gas Station
As a gas station owner or manager, you must evaluate different factors to choose the ideal bollards for your gas station:
- Materials: Choose materials based on the gas station’s needs and which materials bollards come in. Concrete bollards are suitable for public settings, while polymer bollards are ideal for coastal locations due to their resistance to corrosive acids. Stainless steel combines durability with an aesthetically pleasing design.
- Crash rating: Assess and rate bollards using standards like the Department of State, Department of Defense, ASTM F 2656-07 and BSI PAS 68:2010. These standards provide insights into the impact speed a bollard can withstand. By factoring in their crash rating, you can ensure your gas station meets the required safety standards.
- Installation: The bollard’s installation location must comply with your local building code requirements. Ensure that you obtain the necessary permits. Consult with an architect experienced in bollard installation and spacing for a site plan.
- Costs: Evaluate the cost factors, considering size, material and quantity needed. Concrete bollards are often cost-effective and reliable, while removable bollards may require a higher investment. Choose a bollard that aligns with your gas station’s needs and budget.
- Maintenance: Understand that even durable bollards require maintenance from time to time. Create a cleaning and repainting schedule for decorative bollards to maintain their appearance. On the other hand, security bollards need regular maintenance to reinforce their durability.
Your Gas Station Deserves the Best With Blockaides
Ready to up your gas station’s security? You can count on Blockaides as your trusted partner in providing bollards and barriers for your gas station. As one of the premier bollard suppliers in the U.S., we take pride in delivering high-quality, American-made bollards for various applications.
Safety is our utmost priority, just as it is at your site. Trust us to design sturdy solutions with quick turnaround times. We’ll also help you meet the necessary crash safety ratings while staying within your budget.
Request a quote today according to your gas station’s unique requirements or feel free to explore our range of bollards on our site.