Protect doors, glazing, and recesses without impeding access.
Frontages concentrate risk and people. Map door/window zones, recesses, and level changes that affect approach vectors (225) and clear gaps (232). Coordinate with glazing offsets and columns to maintain crash-rated bollard performance without visual clutter (316, 366). We show typical frontage arrays and links to access/queuing (215) and submission evidence (431, 938) that reviewers accept quickly. Include one-sentence context that naturally links upward to the parent hubs (this section and the chapter hub). Add SIRA context with a link to SIRA Bollards (UAE) when relevant. Link installation pages only if helpful: What to Expect and Installation Guide.
Important: This is a general guide. For live projects we develop a tailored
Method Statement & Risk Assessment (MS/RA) and align with authority approvals (e.g., SIRA) where in scope.
234.1 Frontage risk patterns
Doors, glazing, and recessed bays increase exposure. Position HVM bollard lines to protect desire lines; if a crash rated bollard sits at a bay, ensure penetration won’t reach the facade (413).
Typical risks cluster where vehicle desire lines align with entrances, large panes, and set-back recesses that allow higher approach vectors. Start with an evidence-led sweep from 211 walkdowns and 213 standoff, then place lines to interrupt vehicle paths before the residual set plus gap could threaten the façade.
Where sites mix pedestrian queueing with service access, separate keepered openings from public doors and treat bay corners as “hotspots”. Cross-check with 323 frontage/door arrays and 322 clear-gap calculations to avoid latent pass-throughs.
| Aspect | What matters | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Tested system (VSBS) incl. footing | 413 — Ratings guide |
| Geometry | Clear-gap, offsets, angles | 232 — Spacing rules |
| Operations | Queues, sightlines, safety devices & measures | 353 — Signalling |
234.2 Door/window zones
Map leaf swings, auto-door sensors, and mullions. HVM bollard heads stay clear of swing paths; a nearby crash rated bollard must respect sightlines (237).
For manual or automatic doors, protect the egress cone while keeping heads out of swing envelopes and sensor fields. Maintain sightlines to lobbies and taxi stands (237 — Sightlines & signage) and verify the clear-gap under door-peak crowding (231 — People flow).
234.3 Recesses & alcoves
Recesses create angle/ramping risks (225). Use staggered HVM bollard posts; where recess depth is tight, select a crash rated bollard with adequate height (312).
Alcoves can funnel glancing impacts that bypass inline posts. Stagger or chicane the first two posts to “present” steel to the likely vector (324 — Corners & pinch points). Where depth is limited, use a taller effective height per 312 height setting and confirm penetration bands in 421 dependencies.
234.4 Ramps & steps
Level changes distort effective gap (232). HVM bollard spacing tightens uphill; coordinate handrails. A ramp-adjacent crash rated bollard gets extra conspicuity (357).
On ramps, measure the clear-gap perpendicular to the travel path, not just plan distance; posts on an upslope may need closer centers to avoid an oversized clear-gap. Align with handrails and tactile paving; add beaconing and pavement markings per 357. Where steps flank a storefront, avoid creating pinch points; route pedestrian desire lines cleanly to 822 pedestrian streets when applicable.
234.5 Glazing edge offsets
Keep offset to prevent break-through on penetration. HVM bollard to glass offset follows standoff (213); verify crash rated bollard residual set still protects glass (314).
Use the product’s published penetration (P-value) and permanent set to size the offset to glazing edges, mullions, and vulnerable returns. For long glass runs, introduce rhythm (321) to reduce visual monotony while holding the same protection zone. Where the building has blast design, coordinate stand-off distance with the facade engineer and note it in the submission pack (431, 938).
234.6 Canopies & columns
Columns steer vectors and hide posts (237). Weave HVM bollard arrays between columns; check crash rated bollard access for maintenance (365).
Where porticoes and canopy columns exist, they can both shield and mask the array. Use them as part of a 321 array pattern to break run-up lines while keeping service access to each post’s sleeve or service lid (365 — Design for maintenance). Ensure sightlines from reception and CCTV remain clear (534).
234.7 Streetscape coordination
Blend materials and rhythms (238, 316). HVM bollard sleeves align with street furniture; choose a crash rated bollard finish resilient to cleaning (366).
Match sleeves, caps, and paving joints to existing street furniture to avoid visual noise (238; 316). For coastal or high-traffic frontages, specify 316L or duplex coatings and maintenance access clearances (366; 363).
234.8 Delivery bay interfaces
Separate pedestrian entries from loading (215). HVM bollard openings serve service vehicles; protect bay corners with a crash rated bollard where impact risk is highest.
At mixed frontages, keep pedestrian doors legible and buffered from loading maneuvers (215 — Access & circulation). Size keepered openings for service vehicles per 821 vehicle access lanes, and anchor bay corners with higher-duty posts where “miss and clip” vectors are credible (324). Document controls and EFO behavior if automatic lanes are present (354, 355).
234.9 Typical frontage arrays
Provide inline/staggered examples with gap tables (321, 232). HVM bollard patterns pair with shallow/deep foundations; select a compatible crash rated bollard family (332, 415).
Inline frontage: a straight line with verified clear-gap to glazing. Use when doors are flush and the pavement grade is uniform. Verify foundation class vs utilities (332) and product family variance (415).
Staggered frontage: alternate forward/back posts to present steel to oblique vectors and soften visuals near glass returns. Useful at recessed doors and corner throats; coordinate paving joints for a consistent rhythm. Where utilities dictate, use shallow systems with proven rail/grade-beam continuity (244).
Always record array geometry and acceptance bands in the submission pack guidance (938) and include door-zone details from 323 so reviewers can check each opening quickly.
Related
External resources
- ASTM F2656 — Crash testing for vehicle security barriers
- NPSA — Hostile Vehicle Mitigation guidance
- FEMA 426 — Building protection reference
234 Frontage protection with HVM Bollards — FAQ
How far in front of glazing should HVM bollards be set?
Use the product’s tested penetration and permanent set, then add a margin so residual movement cannot strike the glass. Coordinate with 213 stand-off and 314 deflection vs permanent set, and document the chosen offset in 431/938 submission packs.
Do recessed entrances always require staggered arrays?
No. Staggering helps where glancing vectors are credible (225) or depth is tight, but straight lines can work if clear-gap, offsets, and sightlines (237) are proven. Validate with 322/232 calculations and record acceptance bands.
What foundation type is best for storefronts with dense utilities?
Use shallow systems only where a tested foundation class exists (244, 332) and continuity is maintained across the array. Where possible, keep deep sockets clear of known corridors (335/617) and verify drainage (334/245).
How do I keep frontage protection from looking cluttered?
Align sleeves with paving joints and street furniture (238), choose finishes that match the context (316/366), and use rhythm with repeat centers (321). Maintain sightlines and add minimal, consistent markings (357).