FAQs

Factories and industrial sites face a wide range of security risks — not just from theft, but also trespass, vandalism, and safety breaches. Because these sites often hold high-value materials, vehicles, and equipment, they’re attractive targets for organised crime and opportunists alike.

Main Security Threats –
🏗️ Vehicle theft and unauthorised access – company vehicles, plant machinery, or delivery trucks stolen from unsecured yards
🔩 Tool and equipment theft – expensive tools, metals, and components targeted for resale or scrap value
🚧 Perimeter breaches – weak fencing or unprotected entry points exploited for easy access
🔥 Vandalism and arson – damage to property or machinery causing downtime and insurance claims
👷 Health & safety risks – unauthorised entry by trespassers or contractors leading to accidents and liability

Emerging Threats –
💻 Fuel and cable theft – diesel and copper targeted due to rising prices
📡 Security system tampering – cutting camera or alarm cables before entry
🚛 Fly-tipping and site misuse – open yards often attract illegal dumping

How to Protect Industrial Premises –
🔒 Use manual swing gates or height-restriction barriers to control entry
🧱 Install heavy-duty removable or telescopic bollards at access points
📹 Combine CCTV, motion lighting, and alarmed fencing for 24/7 coverage
⚙️ Conduct regular risk assessments and security audits under ISO 45001 or ISO 9001 frameworks

At Aremco Barriers, we supply UK-manufactured steel barriers, gates, and bollards built for industrial and commercial environments. Designed for strength and longevity, our products help protect factories, depots, and yards against unauthorised access and theft.

Barriers and bollards play a crucial role in factory and industrial site security, preventing unauthorised access, vehicle collisions, and theft. They provide both a physical defence and a visual deterrent, helping to keep people, property, and assets safe.

How Barriers Protect Factories –
🏗️ Control vehicle entry and exit – restrict access to authorised drivers only
🚧 Prevent ramming and forced entry – height-restriction or swing barriers stop large vehicles being driven through gates
📋 Support site management – define loading zones, visitor areas, and restricted sections
💡 Comply with safety standards – clearly mark access points to meet H&S and ISO 45001 requirements

How Bollards Enhance Site Security –
🔒 Stop vehicle theft and collisions – block vehicles from entering or leaving without permission
🧱 Protect buildings and equipment – prevent accidental or deliberate impacts near loading bays, roller doors, and pedestrian routes
🚗 Create separation zones – keep forklifts, HGVs, and pedestrians safely apart

Combined Benefits –
✅ Reduce insurance risk and improve site compliance
⚙️ Work alongside CCTV, lighting, and gates as part of an integrated security system
🇬🇧 Available in fixed, removable, and telescopic designs — all UK-manufactured to industrial standards

At Aremco Barriers, we supply heavy-duty steel barriers and bollards purpose-built for factory, warehouse, and depot protection. From preventing unauthorised access to safeguarding assets, our systems deliver long-term, low-maintenance site security.

Industrial environments demand tough, long-lasting barriers and bollards that can handle constant use, heavy traffic, and impact risk. The best options are those built from galvanised steel, designed to withstand weather, machinery contact, and vehicle collisions.

Best Types of Bollards for Industrial Sites –
🔩 Fixed (static) steel bollards – permanently installed for protecting buildings, entrances, and loading bays from impact
🧱 Removable or telescopic bollards – ideal where controlled access or flexible entry is needed for HGVs or forklifts
⚙️ Heavy-duty reinforced bollards – thicker wall sections and deeper foundations for high-impact protection
🎨 Powder-coated finishes – provide clear visibility and long-term corrosion resistance in outdoor environments

Best Types of Barriers for Industrial Use –
🏗️ Armco (crash) barriers – absorb vehicle impact and prevent structural damage in loading areas or car parks
🚧 Swing gates and height-restriction barriers – control large vehicle access and prevent oversized vehicles from entering restricted zones
🔒 Combination barriers – merge height restriction with locking swing arms for flexible site control

Key Features to Look For –
✅ UK manufacturing to BS EN ISO 1461 (galvanising) and BS EN 13438 (powder coating)
💡 High-visibility finishes such as RAL 1021 yellow or black/yellow hazard bands
🧰 Easy maintenance and compatibility with safety signage and lighting

At Aremco Barriers, all our industrial-grade steel bollards and barriers are built to meet UK factory and depot security standards — combining strength, visibility, and long service life for maximum site protection.

A well-planned factory access control layout keeps vehicles, staff, and visitors moving safely while protecting assets and equipment. The layout should balance security, safety, and efficiency, ensuring only authorised vehicles and personnel can enter specific zones.

Key Layout Considerations –
🏗️ Controlled entry points – designate main access routes for staff, deliveries, and visitors, each with appropriate gates or barriers
🚧 Separate vehicle and pedestrian zones – use bollards or guardrails to create clear, safe walkways away from loading or forklift areas
🔒 Install barriers at high-risk zones – block unauthorised access to fuel stores, machinery bays, and storage yards
📋 Plan emergency access – maintain wide, clear routes for emergency vehicles at all times

Recommended Barrier & Bollard Placement –
⚙️ Fixed bollards – protect buildings, doors, and vulnerable corners from collision damage
🧱 Telescopic or removable bollards – allow flexible entry for service or delivery vehicles
🚗 Swing or height-restriction barriers – manage HGV access and prevent misuse of entrances

Operational Best Practice –
✅ Include signage, lighting, and reflective markings for visibility day and night
📶 Consider automated or manual access systems depending on site size and traffic
🧰 Review layout annually as operations expand or routes change

At Aremco Barriers, we design and supply UK-manufactured barriers, gates, and bollards to help factories create safe, compliant, and efficient access control layouts — combining durability, visibility, and security for every site.

While there’s no single UK law that dictates exactly how factory perimeters must be secured, several health, safety, and security regulations apply. These ensure that sites are properly protected against unauthorised access, vehicle movement risks, and potential harm to people or property.

Relevant UK Regulations & Standards –
⚖️ Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 – requires employers to provide a safe workplace, including secure boundaries and access control where necessary
📋 Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – covers risk assessments for perimeter hazards (e.g. vehicle entry, trespass, or collision risk)
🚧 The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 – includes requirements for safe access routes, barriers, and segregation of traffic and pedestrians
🏗️ BS EN 1991 & BS EN 1993 standards – govern structural integrity for posts, gates, and fencing systems
💡 ISO 45001 and ISO 9001 frameworks – require documented risk control measures and site security procedures

Best Practice for Compliance –
✅ Carry out and document a site-specific perimeter risk assessment
🔒 Use fixed, telescopic, or removable bollards and swing or height barriers at key access points
🚨 Maintain clear signage, lighting, and CCTV coverage
🧱 Inspect and maintain fencing, barriers, and gates regularly

At Aremco Barriers, our UK-manufactured steel bollards and perimeter barriers are designed to help factories meet UK safety and quality standards. We can also advise on best practice to align with ISO and HSE compliance requirements.

Preventing vehicle break-ins and site theft requires a mix of physical security, deterrence, and good operational habits. The goal is to make your site difficult to access, clearly monitored, and not worth the risk for opportunists or organised thieves.

Physical Security Measures –
🔒 Install barriers and bollards – stop vehicles being driven off-site or used for ram raids
🚧 Secure perimeter fencing and gates – repair weak spots and lock access points after hours
💡 Use reflective markings and lighting – keep entry routes visible and deter nighttime activity
📦 Lock tools and materials in secure containers or inside buildings

Vehicle Protection –
🚚 Fit vehicle immobilisers, alarms, and trackers
📶 Use Faraday pouches to block keyless relay attacks
🛠️ Remove valuables, tools, and documentation from parked vehicles
🔩 Park vehicles behind locked swing barriers or bollards when not in use

Site-Wide Deterrents –
📹 CCTV and motion sensors – monitor key areas and store footage securely
👷 Staff awareness training – encourage reporting of suspicious behaviour
📋 Signage – clear “24-hour CCTV” and “Restricted Access” warnings act as psychological deterrents

Maintenance & Checks –
🧰 Inspect all locks, barriers, and lights regularly
✅ Keep gates, posts, and fences in good working order
⚙️ Review access permissions and keyholder lists frequently

At Aremco Barriers, we design and manufacture UK-made steel barriers, gates, and bollards that physically prevent unauthorised access, vehicle theft, and site break-ins. When combined with CCTV and good lighting, they form the first and strongest line of defence.

Yes — barriers and bollards can be retrofitted onto most existing factory or industrial sites without major disruption. Retrofitting is a cost-effective way to upgrade site security and access control without redesigning the entire layout.

When Retrofitting Works Best –
🏗️ Existing concrete or tarmac surfaces can usually accommodate surface-mounted or core-drilled installations
🔩 Removable, telescopic, or bolt-down bollards are ideal where underground utilities restrict deep foundations
🚧 Swing or height-restriction barriers can be added to existing entrances to control vehicle access
💡 Great option for sites expanding operations or tightening perimeter control

Key Considerations Before Installation –
📋 Site survey – identify utilities, surface type, and access routes
⚙️ Load and impact requirements – choose bollards rated for your site’s traffic type (cars, forklifts, or HGVs)
🔒 Security objectives – define whether you’re stopping vehicle entry, protecting assets, or guiding traffic flow
🏗️ Foundation design – ensure correct fixing method for long-term strength and stability

Benefits of Retrofitting –
✅ Quick installation with minimal downtime
💷 Lower cost than full site reconstruction
🧱 Can be integrated with existing fencing, lighting, and access systems

At Aremco Barriers, we specialise in retrofitting UK-manufactured steel bollards and access barriers for factories, warehouses, and industrial estates. Whether surface-mounted, removable, or telescopic, we’ll help you upgrade your site’s protection quickly and efficiently.

Factory barriers and bollards need regular maintenance to stay safe, visible, and compliant. A simple inspection and cleaning routine keeps them working properly and extends their service life — especially on busy industrial sites exposed to weather, traffic, and machinery.

Recommended Maintenance Routine –
🧰 Monthly visual inspection – check for dents, rust, loose bolts, or damaged coatings
🔩 Quarterly operational test – ensure telescopic or swing barriers move freely and locks operate smoothly
🌧️ Clean and lubricate moving parts – remove debris, grease hinges, and oil locking pins to prevent corrosion
🎨 Repaint or touch-up coatings – repair chips in powder coating to maintain visibility and stop rust spreading
💡 Check reflective bands and signage – replace faded or damaged safety markings immediately

Annual Maintenance Tasks –
📋 Conduct a formal inspection by a competent person (as per PUWER and H&S regulations)
🏗️ Tighten all fixings and check barrier alignment
🚧 Review barrier and bollard placement to ensure it still meets operational and safety needs

Signs That Maintenance Is Due –
⚙️ Stiff operation or grinding noises
🧱 Visible corrosion or flaking galvanised coating
🚫 Barriers not locking or closing correctly