Crash-Rated Bollards

Crash rated bollards are designed to protect pedestrians, buildings and critical infrastructure from vehicle impacts. Unlike standard bollards that mainly act as a visual deterrent, crash rated bollards are engineered and tested to withstand high-energy collisions from moving vehicles. They are commonly used in areas where vehicles operate close to pedestrian zones, such as public spaces, storefronts, transport hubs and government facilities.

These bollards work by absorbing and dissipating vehicle impact energy while preventing the vehicle from entering protected areas. Crash rated bollards provide an effective way to reduce risk to people and property in locations where vehicle intrusion could cause serious damage or injury.

Why do you need a crash rated bollard?

Crash Rated Bollard Protection Levels

Different sites require different levels of vehicle impact protection. Crash rated bollards are typically grouped into three levels depending on the size and speed of the vehicle they are designed to stop.

Protection Level	Typical Vehicle Tested	Impact Speed	Typical Applications
Standard Crash Rated	1,600 kg passenger vehicle	Up to 60 km/h	Shopfront protection, outdoor dining areas, pedestrian walkways
Heavy Duty Crash Rated	2,270 kg vehicle	Up to 50 km/h	Public spaces, transport infrastructure, high-traffic pedestrian areas
PAS68 / IWA 14-1 Rated	7,200–7,500 kg truck	Up to 80 km/h	Government buildings, stadiums, critical infrastructure, hostile vehicle mitigation

Standard Crash Rated Bollards

Standard crash rated bollards are designed to stop passenger vehicles travelling at typical urban speeds. They provide effective protection for areas such as shopfronts, outdoor dining spaces, pedestrian walkways and commercial building entrances where accidental vehicle intrusion is a potential risk.

These bollards use an engineered energy-absorbing design that helps reduce the impact forces during a collision while preventing vehicles from entering protected areas. Typical systems are independently crash tested to stop a 1600 kg passenger vehicle travelling at speeds of up to 60 km/h, helping protect pedestrians and surrounding infrastructure from errant vehicles.

Standard crash rated bollards are commonly specified in developments where pedestrian safety and property protection are important considerations, while still allowing unrestricted pedestrian movement around the installation.

Available in a range of finishes including galvanised, powder coated or stainless steel. Reflective bands and high-visibility coatings can also be added where increased visibility is required.

Type	Diameter	Height	Foundation Dimensions	Vehicle Weight	Speed	Impact Angle	Standard	Performance Rating	Penetration
Standard	150 mm	1000 mm	700 mm dia × 1000 mm deep	1600 kg	60 km/h (38 mph)	90°	ASTM F3016M	S30	~440 mm

Heavy Duty Crash Rated Bollards

Heavy duty crash rated bollards are designed for environments where larger vehicles or higher impact forces may be possible. They provide increased vehicle stopping capability and are commonly used to protect busy pedestrian areas, transport infrastructure and commercial developments where stronger protection is required.

These bollards incorporate a reinforced structure and energy-absorbing design that helps manage the forces generated during a vehicle collision. Typical heavy duty crash rated systems are independently tested to stop a 2270 kg vehicle travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h, providing a higher level of protection than standard crash rated bollards.

Heavy duty crash rated bollards are commonly installed in areas where pedestrian safety and asset protection are important considerations, particularly where vehicles may approach at higher speeds or where heavier vehicles such as SUVs or utility vehicles are present.

Available in galvanised, powder coated or stainless steel finishes, with optional high-visibility coatings and reflective bands where additional visibility is required.

Type	Diameter	Height	Foundation Dimensions	Vehicle Weight	Speed	Impact Angle	Standard	Performance Rating	Penetration
Heavy Duty	150 mm	1000 mm	600 mm dia × 1800 mm deep	2270 kg	50 km/h (30 mph)	90°	ASTM F3016M	S30 / P2	~825 mm

PAS68 Rated Bollards

MSA Bollards supplies and installs Bristorm Impeder PAS68 rated bollards, designed for high security environments requiring protection against deliberate vehicle intrusion. These bollards are independently tested to BSI PAS 68 and IWA 14-1 standards, providing verified performance against vehicle impact scenarios.

Bristorm Impeder bollards are part of a Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) strategy and are commonly specified for government buildings, transport infrastructure, public spaces and other high-risk locations. With multiple performance levels available, these bollards allow the appropriate level of protection to be selected based on site-specific risk assessments.

Bristorm Impeder bollards are engineered for high-security applications and offer:

Certified to BSI PAS 68 and IWA 14-1 crash testing standards
Designed to stop vehicles up to 7,500 kg travelling at high speeds
Multiple performance ratings available depending on site requirements
High strength steel construction for maximum impact resistance
Available in fixed, shallow mount, removable and retractable configurations
Suitable for integration with access control and security systems
Galvanised or powder coated finishes for durability

Mounting & Configuration Options

Bristorm Impeder PAS68 bollards are available in a range of configurations to suit different security and operational requirements.

Fixed bollards provide permanent perimeter protection and are typically used where no vehicle access is required.

Shallow mount bollards offer the same level of protection as fixed systems while reducing excavation depth, making them suitable for sites with underground service constraints.

Retractable bollards (automatic rising bollards) allow controlled vehicle access. These systems can be raised and lowered as required and are commonly integrated with access control systems such as swipe cards, intercoms and traffic management systems.

Operating system: Pneumatic, hydraulic or electro-mechanical

Rising & Lowering time: Approximately 2 to 4 seconds

Ingress protection: IP67 rated for dust and water resistance

Power supply: Typically 415V three-phase (depending on system configuration)

Available options:

Range of RAL colours with high durability powder coated finishes
304 or 316L stainless steel sleeves for architectural applications
Emergency extraction override functionality
Audible and visual alerts including siren or flashing indicators
Vehicle detection loops for controlled operation
Integration with traffic signals and warning systems
Compatibility with boom gates and access control systems

These options allow the bollard system to be fully integrated into broader site security and traffic management systems.

Removable bollards are designed for controlled or occasional access and are typically removed using mechanical lifting equipment (forklifts/cranes) due to their weight and performance requirements.

Type	Diameter	Height	Foundation Dimensions	Vehicle Weight	Speed	Impact Angle	Standard	Performance Rating	Penetration	Major Debris
Standard	219mm	1005mm	600 x 600mm	7,500 kg	30 mph (48 km/h)	90°	PAS 68	V / 7500 / 48 / 90	0.0 m	0.0 m
Shallow Mount	219mm	1000mm	1400 x 2800 x 400mm	7,500 kg	30 mph (48 km/h)	90°	PAS 68	V / 7500 / 48 / 90	0.0 m	0.0 m
Standard	273mm	1005mm	750 x 750mm	7,500 kg	40 mph (64 km/h)	90°	PAS 68	V / 7500 / 64 / 90	3.3 m	0.0 m
Standard	273mm	1005mm	750 x 750mm	7,500 kg	50 mph (80 km/h)	90°	PAS 68	V / 7500 / 80 / 90	10.6 m	11.1 m
Heavy Duty	324mm	1010mm	2000 x 1200 x 800mm	7,500 kg	50 mph (80 km/h)	90°	PAS 68	V / 7500 / 80 / 90	0.8 m	18.1 m
Shallow Mount	324mm	1006mm	3000 x 2000 x 300mm	7,200 kg	50 mph (80 km/h)	90°	IWA 14-1	V / 7200 / 80 / 90	3.0 m	20.6 m

Common Applications for Crash Rated Bollards

Crash rated bollards are typically installed in locations where vehicles operate close to pedestrian areas or where buildings and infrastructure require protection from vehicle impact. They are often specified in developments where safety, risk reduction and controlled vehicle access are important considerations.

Because these bollards are designed to withstand high-energy impacts, they are commonly used in both public and private environments where the consequences of a vehicle entering a restricted area could be severe.

Typical installations:

Shopfront and retail precinct protection
Outdoor dining and pedestrian mall safety
Government buildings and civic spaces
Stadiums and public venues
Transport hubs and station entrances
Building entrances and public forecourts
Critical infrastructure and high-security sites

Crash Rated Bollard Finishes and Options

Crash rated bollards can be supplied in a range of finishes and configurations to suit the visual requirements and safety needs of different environments. In addition to their protective function, bollards are often specified to complement surrounding architecture or improve visibility for approaching vehicles.

Common finish options include galvanised steel for corrosion resistance, powder coated colours for improved visibility or branding, and stainless steel for architectural or high-end environments. Visibility features such as reflective bands can also be added to improve night-time awareness.

Customisation options are available depending on the project requirements, including different heights, diameters and colour finishes. High-visibility coatings are commonly used in public areas to ensure the bollards are easily seen by drivers while still maintaining an attractive appearance in pedestrian environments.

Crash Rated Bollard Installation

Crash rated bollards must be installed using appropriately designed foundations to ensure they perform as intended during a vehicle impact. The installation method and footing depth will vary depending on the crash rating and bollard system selected.

Standard and heavy duty crash rated bollards are typically installed into reinforced concrete foundations designed to anchor the bollard securely and manage the impact forces generated during a collision. Proper footing depth and reinforcement are important to ensure the bollard achieves its tested stopping capability.

In locations where underground services or site conditions limit excavation depth, shallow mount crash rated bollard systems may be used. These systems are engineered to provide vehicle impact protection while requiring significantly less excavation than traditional deep foundation installations.

MSA Bollards can assist with product supply and installation guidance to ensure the correct bollard system and installation method are selected for your site conditions and protection requirements.