Barriers and Bollards in Different Types of Car Parks

Car parks are busy spaces where vehicles, people, and property meet. Without the right protection, minor scrapes could turn into costly repairs and avoidable injuries. Even worse, car parks with a lack of barriers or bollards could result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Two reliable options for keeping things under control are Armco barriers and security bollards. Both improve safety and support smooth traffic flow, but they solve slightly different problems.

This blog explains what each option does, where it works best, and how to pick the right fit for your car park.

Car park types to consider

Every parking area has its own quirks, so planning is essential.

• Supermarkets. Constant vehicle turnover, trolleys on the move, and pedestrians crossing between bays. Protection is essential for storefronts, trolley bays, loading points, and pedestrian walkways.
• Offices. Access control is a priority. Use car park protection barriers to manage entry and exit, then place bollards to protect doors, glazing, and pedestrian routes.
• Construction sites and manufacturing plants. Large vehicles, tight turns, and valuable equipment. Choose robust crash protection around corners, loading docks, pallet racking, and vulnerable structures.
• Airports. Clear zones and security-sensitive areas. Bollards restrict unauthorised vehicle access, while barriers guide traffic and protect infrastructure.
• With ambulances arriving at speed, gurneys being moved around, and unwell people moving from cars to buildings, the right protection in car parks is vital.

Match the level of control to the risks on the ground, and maintenance will become easier too.

Car park bollards

Car park security bollards are short, vertical posts that stop vehicles while keeping pedestrian access open. They can be fixed, removable, or automatically retractable.

They are typically used for:

• Shielding entrances, glazed fronts, and EV charge points
• Preventing vehicles from mounting pavements or crossing into restricted areas
• Managing approach speeds near crossings and doors

Think of bollards when you need precise, compact protection rather than a continuous run. For many car parks, bollards are a simple and cost-effective way to improve safety without altering the site layout.

Car park bollard regulations

In the UK, bollards should be selected and sited with safety in mind, then verified through a location-specific risk assessment.

• General duties. Health and Safety at Work etc. Act and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations apply to safe design and maintenance.
• Impact performance where security is a concern. Consider PAS 68 or IWA 14-1 rated products for vehicle impact resistance in higher-risk locations.
• Placement and loading considerations. Follow good-practice guidance so bollards withstand foreseeable forces, and check local planning rules for streetscape or heritage areas.

To stay compliant, remember to document your decisions. This includes spacing, visibility, and ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users and prams.

Car park barriers

Armco-style car park security barriers are continuous steel rails mounted on posts. They absorb and redirect impact, helping to prevent damage to columns, walls, machinery, and vehicles.

They work well for:

• Running along traffic aisles to separate vehicles and pedestrians
• Protecting building edges, service yards, and fuel or charging infrastructure
• Creating safe zones around warehouse loading bays and plant areas
• Managing routes where vehicles travel at higher speeds or with limited visibility

The height of car park barriers must be selected carefully, usually between 560 mm and 760 mm, depending on the vehicles in use. Lower barriers suit cars, while higher barriers are required for vans, lorries, and site machinery.

We recommend choosing post types and rail profiles to match the risk level and setting out clear end treatments to avoid snagging.

Car park barrier regulations

In the UK, good car park barrier design should follow recognised standards and regulations.

• Performance and testing. For road-style restraint systems, refer to BS EN 1317 where relevant.
• Public-space protection. Use BS 6180 principles for protective barriers in areas accessed by the public, paying attention to heights, openings, and edges.
• Layout and integration. Align with building control and planning requirements, and ensure pedestrian routes, accessible bays, and emergency access remain clear.

Confirm heights and stand-off distances through a site-specific risk assessment, then record the rationale.

Choosing the right option for your car park

Start with three questions: what are you protecting, where are the likely impacts, and how fast are vehicles moving?

• Choose bollards when you need targeted protection, clear pedestrian access, flexible spacing, or tidy visual control at entrances.
• Choose barriers when you need continuous crash protection, defined lanes, or shielding for structures and equipment.
• Combine both for layered safety, for example, barriers along traffic routes with bollards guarding doors and pay points.

You must factor in practicalities too, like compliance, durability, and ease of installation. As a UK manufacturer in Yorkshire, we supply products designed for real sites and straightforward maintenance.

Conclusion

Different car parks face different risks. Bollards provide precise access control and point protection, while barriers offer continuous crash defence and clear traffic guidance. Use your risk assessment to choose with confidence, then install and maintain for the long term.

At CT Safety Barriers, all our products are manufactured here in Yorkshire, giving you reliable, UK-made protection that is built to last. Call us on (01977) 666 818 or email sales@ctsafetybarriers.co.uk to talk through the best option for your site.