Bollards
12 Types of Bollards Explained (Security + Parking + Decorative)
Cojo
May 7, 2026
8 min read
The twelve construction-relevant types of bollards are fixed steel pipe, retractable, removable, ASTM F2656 K4 crash-rated, ASTM F2656 K8 crash-rated, ASTM F2656 K12 crash-rated, ASTM F2656 M30 medium-duty, ASTM F2656 M50 high-security, decorative cover, flexible polyurethane, anti-ram engineered, and ASTM F3016 low-speed. Each type maps to a distinct vehicle-impact threat, mounting method, and price tier, so the right answer depends on threat profile and code requirement.
This article covers the twelve types in spec-sheet form so a property manager, GC, or specifier can match a use case to a category in under five minutes.
Bollards split along three axes: how they handle a vehicle impact (rigid versus flexible versus crash-tested), how they handle access (fixed versus removable versus retractable), and what they look like (utilitarian steel versus decorative cover). Most bollards combine two axes — for example, "fixed crash-rated" or "removable decorative" — so the twelve types below are the meaningful combinations.
For a comparison framework on the access axis specifically, see our fixed versus removable bollard selection guide.
The default commercial bollard. A 4 to 12 inch diameter Schedule 40 or 80 steel pipe embedded in concrete, concrete-filled, painted safety yellow per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.144. Used for storefront, fire-lane, and warehouse forklift protection. Service life 25 to 40 years.
A telescoping mechanism that lowers below grade for vehicle access and lifts back up to block traffic. Manual telescopic units cost $400 to $900; hydraulic automatic units run $3,000 to $15,000. The Federal Highway Administration's Vehicle Barrier Section identifies retractable bollards as "operable barriers" requiring engineered approach geometry.
A drop-in pipe that slips into a below-grade socket and is locked at the surface. Used for fire-lane access, special-event service-lane control, and parking-area reconfiguration. Lock mechanisms include padlock, internal-cam, and triangular-key. Replacement cycle is roughly every 7 to 10 years on the locking hardware even if the pipe lasts 30+ years.
Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle at 30 mph with controlled penetration. Typical retail-storefront and drive-thru spec. ASTM F2656 superseded the older Department of State K-rating system in 2009; the K4 designation is preserved as marketing shorthand but the cert references F2656 ASTM F2656. Foundation depth is typically 36 inches.
Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle at 40 mph. Used for higher-threat retail (jewelry, banks), state government buildings, and critical-infrastructure perimeters. Foundation typically 48 inches. Always specified as part of a tested assembly — substituting any component voids the rating.
Stops a 15,000-pound vehicle at 50 mph. The federal standard for high-threat sites. DHS BIPS-12 references K12 / M50 as the baseline for embassies, federal courthouses, and critical infrastructure DHS Vehicle Barriers. Foundation requirements include engineered slab tie-in and rebar cage. Per-unit installed cost runs $4,500 to $10,000+.
The M-rating uses metric vehicle weight (6,803 kg, equivalent to 15,000 pounds) and uniform 1-meter penetration distance. M30 = 48 km/h (30 mph), M50 = 80 km/h (50 mph). M-rated bollards are functionally interchangeable with K-rated for U.S. construction documents that follow the post-2009 ASTM nomenclature. For a deeper comparison see our K4 vs K8 vs K12 crash-rating guide.
Cast iron, fluted aluminum, stone-clad, or composite. The exterior shape is the architectural feature; structural function may or may not be present. Used in plazas, civic centers, historic districts, and high-end retail. Often paired with a hidden crash-rated steel core when vehicle approach exists.
A bend-and-recover plastic or rubber post used for traffic channelization rather than vehicle stopping. Common at lane-divider transitions, drive-thru queue lines, and toll-plaza corridors. Failure mode is wear from repeated impact rather than catastrophic; typical replacement is every 3 to 7 years depending on traffic.
A purpose-built vehicle-attack barrier that combines a crash-rated bollard with shallow-mount or surface-mount foundations for sites where deep excavation is impossible (utility easements, plaza decks, historic preservation). Engineered as a complete tested system; typical cost $6,000 to $15,000 per unit installed. Used at temporary high-threat events and permanent shallow-foundation sites.
ASTM F3016 covers crash-testing at 10, 20, and 30 mph for protection against unintended low-speed impacts (storefront pedal-misapplication, ATM ramming, drive-thru runaways) ASTM F3016. Foundation depths are shallower than F2656 (typically 24 to 30 inches) and per-unit cost is closer to a fixed steel pipe than to a K-rated assembly. The right standard for retail strip centers and bank ATMs.
The category most parking-lot specifiers actually buy: a Schedule 40 steel pipe core with a slip-fit decorative cover (plastic, aluminum, stainless). Provides the impact resistance of a steel bollard with the architectural appearance of a decorative unit. Cover replacement is straightforward when faded or damaged without disturbing the core or foundation.
| Use Case | Recommended Type | Industry Baseline Range Per Unit Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Storefront retail | Type 4 (K4) or Type 11 (F3016) | $400 to $1,800 |
| Fire lane | Type 3 (Removable) | $600 to $1,500 |
| Federal building perimeter | Type 6 (K12) or Type 7 (M50) | $4,500 to $10,000+ |
| ATM / drive-thru | Type 11 (F3016) | $400 to $900 |
| ADA path | Type 12 (Hybrid 4-inch) | $300 to $700 |
| Warehouse forklift | Type 1 (Fixed steel) | $250 to $550 |
| Civic plaza | Type 8 (Decorative over crash core) | $1,500 to $5,000+ |
| Service-lane access | Type 2 (Retractable) or Type 3 (Removable) | $600 to $15,000 |
K-rated assemblies carry an additional engineering-stamp and certified-system premium that pure decorative units avoid. Steel surcharges remain elevated through Q2 2026, which is compressing the cost gap between Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 specifications. Stainless lead times are running 6 to 10 weeks for Pacific Northwest delivery.
| Common Name | F2656 Rating | Vehicle Weight | Speed | Penetration Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K4 | M30/P1 | 15,000 lbs (6,803 kg) | 30 mph (48 km/h) | <1 m |
| K8 | M40/P1 | 15,000 lbs (6,803 kg) | 40 mph (64 km/h) | <1 m |
| K12 | M50/P1 | 15,000 lbs (6,803 kg) | 50 mph (80 km/h) | <1 m |
Decorative makes sense in three situations: pedestrian-priority zones where architectural quality reads (plazas, retail entries), historic-district overlays where city code constrains aesthetics, and corporate-campus perimeters where appearance is part of the brand. Decorative does not make sense as a substitute for a crash-rated unit if a vehicle-attack vector exists. The standard solution is a slip-fit decorative cover over a crash-rated core.
For visibility and refresh cycles on installed bollards, our bollard and curb stop painting maintenance reference covers paint chemistry and inspection cadence. Property compliance also intersects with ADA parking lot striping guide where an accessible route crosses a vehicle lane and bollards delineate the safe path.
Cojo installs and services every type listed above across Oregon, including the Eugene service area where most 2026 retail-corridor projects have been UO-adjacent strip-center retrofits.
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