Getting bollard spacing right is critical. Too far apart and vehicles can pass through. Too close and you waste money, obstruct pedestrians, and may breach disability access requirements. This guide provides spacing recommendations for every common application.
Standard Spacing by Application
| Application | Recommended Spacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car park perimeter | 1.2–1.5m | Prevents car access, allows pedestrians |
| Pedestrian zone | 1.2–1.8m | Must allow wheelchair passage (min 1.2m clear) |
| Anti-ram security | 1.0–1.2m | Tighter spacing prevents vehicle impact between bollards |
| Cycle lane separation | 1.5–3.0m | Visual deterrent, not full vehicle exclusion |
| Decorative/boundary | 2.0–3.0m | Aesthetic boundary marking only |
The 1.2 Metre Rule
The Equality Act 2010 and BS 8300 (Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment) require a minimum 1.2 metres clear passage between bollards for wheelchair access. This is measured between the outermost edges of adjacent bollards, not centre-to-centre.
For 114mm diameter bollards at 1.5m centres, the clear gap is approximately 1.39m — comfortably above the minimum. For 168mm bollards at the same spacing, the gap is 1.33m.
How to Calculate Quantities
Simple formula: (Perimeter length ÷ spacing) + 1 = number of bollards
Example: 80m car park frontage at 1.5m spacing = (80 ÷ 1.5) + 1 = 54.3 → 55 bollards
Always add bollards at corners and either side of access points. Deduct the width of any vehicle access gaps (typically 3.5–4.5m for single vehicle, 6m+ for two-way).
Security Spacing Considerations
For hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM), spacing must prevent a vehicle chassis passing between bollards. The standard maximum gap is 1.2 metres (centre-to-centre) for PAS 68-rated installations. This accounts for the narrowest production car width.
For lower-risk sites, 1.5m spacing prevents most cars but may not stop motorcycles or narrow vehicles. Assess the threat level with your security consultant.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting DDA compliance — spacing looks fine for cars but blocks wheelchair access
- Ignoring corner posts — vehicles target corners where bollards are often absent
- Even spacing regardless of terrain — slopes and curves need tighter spacing
- Not accounting for bollard diameter — larger bollards need wider centres
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