In gasoline stations and fuel depot areas, vertical barriers are installed to prevent accidental vehicle contact with sensitive or flammable areas. Those vertical posts are called Bollards. Installed bollards are typically plastic-coated cement columns that are set deep into the concrete of the area that needs protection.
The sale and use of bollards in the fuel industry have been around for a long time because fuel pumps at the station cannot withstand getting hit by a car. After September 11, 2001, the use of bollards in public places skyrocketed as shopping malls, sports stadiums, airports, and government buildings started adding layers of protection from charging vehicles.
Installed Bollards are used to prevent vehicles from crashing into buildings and pedestrians.
Most bollards are set deep into the ground and are made of cement or steel. They usually have a thick vinyl coating that enhances their appearance and makes them look friendlier.
Bollards used in the oil industry are in place to protect the workers who fuel trucks and unload fuel. If they are set correctly they offer a depot worker a layer of security from delivery trucks that enter and leave the depot all day. Worker safety and protecting areas where volatile cargos are being transferred are the main reasons that bollards are installed in fuel depots. Incidentally, Installed Bollards in fuel areas are of higher protection grade than what you would see at a gas station.
OSHA has specific regulations for the requirements of size, weight, color, and resistance level and type of installed bollard required. … The United States Department of State requires bollards to be placed in front of government buildings such as schools, for protection against a 50-mile per hour impact from a vehicle weighing 15,000 lbs. Fuel refineries and power plants are also subject to mandates regarding the installation of bollards.
