Bollards, characterised as short and robust columns, serve an important role in enhancing safety and security on construction sites by controlling access and delineating zones.
Frequently used in traffic management and the establishment of safety perimeters, these fixtures are integral to maintaining order and protecting both personnel and equipment on worksites. Understanding how to effectively implement bollards in construction projects is crucial for enhancing site safety and security.
Applications of Bollards in Construction
Bollards in construction effectively demarcate work zones and protect restricted areas, akin to their roles
Bollards in construction effectively demarcate work zones and protect restricted areas, akin to their roles in parking and event scenarios. They ensure vehicles adhere to designated paths, safeguarding both workers and site assets. These structures create clear physical boundaries, significantly reducing the likelihood of unauthorised entry or the illicit removal of equipment.
Furthermore, bollards are instrumental in forming dedicated pedestrian or staff relaxation zones, where their high visibility and impact resistance guard individuals against moving vehicles and machinery. Additionally, strategic placement of bollards can defend critical infrastructure—such as fire hydrants and power units—from unintentional damage caused by construction activities.
Selecting Suitable Construction Bollards
In environments where construction zones border active roadways, bollards offer essential protection, presenting a more substantial barrier against fast-moving vehicles than cones or barrels.
Particularly in settings where construction machinery outweighs standard vehicles, bollards must be capable of withstanding significant force to ensure the comprehensive protection of the workforce and the site.
Varieties of Construction Bollards
Composed mainly of steel, construction bollards can be customised for higher visibility through paint or sleeves. These structures guide traffic and secure both workers and tools at construction sites. The choice of bollard type depends on the nature of the project, its duration, and the level of protection required.
Shallow Foundation Bollards
For projects requiring permanent or semi-permanent solutions, shallow foundation bollards provide stability through their 12-inch foundation attachments. These systems, like the crash-rated shallow-foundation DSC650 bollards with manual-lift tubes, allow easy access for necessary construction operations. Custom covers in materials such as aluminium and fibreglass enhance both their functionality and visual appeal.
Surface-Mounted Bollards
Offering flexibility and economical benefits, surface-mounted bollards are ideal for projects necessitating portable solutions. Easily relocated and reused, they cater to multiple project sites and can be connected to manage pedestrian flows effectively. Their quick installation and removal process negate the need for extensive construction resources, simplifying procurement since they are not considered fixed assets.
Advantages of Deploying Construction Bollards
The deployment of bollards on construction sites provides numerous advantages. Primarily, they enhance site security in conjunction with perimeter fencing, safeguarding costly machinery from unauthorised access by impeding vehicle entries substantially.
Moreover, removable and retractable bollards regulate vehicle flows, ensuring only permitted access, which maintains a safe and clear operational space for site workers. Their protective role is crucial, especially considering statistics from 2021, where vehicle impacts caused over 60% of fatalities in roadside worksites. Thus, bollards are a vital asset in reducing collision-induced injuries at road-adjacent construction projects.
Apart from their protective functionality, bollards can be customised for increased visibility or to display branding, thereby enhancing security measures and company presence on the site.
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 unauthorised 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 they 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. The 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.
They can fit the crash-rated shallow-foundation DSC650 bollards with manual-lift tubes, facilitating access for construction equipment and deliveries. Cast aluminum and fiberglass covers offer customisable 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 unauthorised individuals to remove large items.
- Traffic control: Removable and retractable bollards restrict and control vehicle access to a worksite, reducing unauthorised 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. They can make them highly visible with customisation options for covers, which can further increase security, or use them to display the company name around the job site.
