What regulatory codes, standards or local planning/fire/emergency access requirements apply to bollards (UK/Europe/US)?

In the UK and Europe, bollards are governed by several safety, security, and accessibility standards to ensure they perform correctly and comply with local regulations.

For high-security applications, the main standards are PAS 68 (UK) and IWA 14-1 (International) — both define impact and crash-resistance levels for bollards and barriers. These certifications confirm a bollard’s ability to stop moving vehicles of specific weights and speeds.

For general traffic-control bollards, compliance with BS EN 1991 (impact loads), BS 8300 (accessibility), and Equality Act 2010 requirements helps ensure safe pedestrian and wheelchair access between posts (typically 1.2 m clear spacing).

Local planning permission may be required if bollards are installed on public land or affect vehicle access, while fire and emergency services must always be considered — many sites use removable or collapsible bollards to maintain emergency vehicle access at all times.

In the US, the equivalent standards include ASTM F2656, DoS K-ratings, and ADA accessibility guidelines.

At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made steel bollards to meet these national and international standards, offering compliant solutions for traffic control, security, and emergency access across commercial, residential, and public environments.