Top 5 Safety Challenges Facing Storage Facilities That Bollards Solve

Running or owning a storage facility is much more than renting out units and keeping paperwork organized. Managers response for the facility face constant challenges related to safety, liability, and long-term maintenance. Customers come and go, they bring in moving trucks, trailers, boats, and cars of all sizes, often driven by people who are in a hurry or unfamiliar with the property (and sometimes unfamiliar with how to handle a large truck). These factors create risks that go well beyond scratched paint or bent metal. A single accident can damage expensive equipment (like call boxes or gates) or close off access to units (by clipping the side of a building),

This is where bollards step in and help prevent some of these incidents. Bollards can solve many of the recurring safety challenges that plague storage facilities. Here’s a short list of common recurring problems that storage facilities encounter that we provide solutions for.

1. Gate System Damage

Has your access gate been damaged? Entry gates are often both the front door and the first impression. Automated gate arms, sliding gates, hinged gates and keypads are critical for security. Facility security equipment needs to be operational without incident 24/7. Unfortunately, they are also frequently the recipient of accidental damage. Large rental trucks, trailers with wide turns, and oblivious or inexperienced drivers will clip gate equipment. Even low-speed bumps have been known to knock the keypad or gate out of service.

The solution: Installing bollards around gate arms, keypads, and gate motor housings provides an effective layer of protection. Bollards will absorb the impact of a vehicle and keep equipment safe. Covers placed over those bollards make them visible, protect against corrosion, and reduce ongoing maintenance. A protected gate system stays operational and minimizes downtime for both staff and customers.

PRO TIP: Bollard Covers CAN be taller than the bollard thereby increasing visibility.

2. Pedestrian and Customer Safety

Storage facilities are not high-traffic retail spaces, but people still walk around the facility grounds every day. Rental tenants unload boxes, carry furniture, and roll carts. Cars, vans, and moving trucks are maneuvering in tight quarters, sometimes without good reverse visibility or truck experience. Proper safeguards are critical to preventing incidents, the chance of a pedestrian accident is higher than many realize.

Bollards should be positioned at building corners, near office entrances, and around walkways. They create clear separation between vehicles and pedestrians. Brightly colored covers improve visibility, especially in areas with limited lighting. This separation is about more than protecting walls; it is also about reducing risk and liability: it directs traffic, encourages drivers to stay within their lanes, and reduces the chance of dangerous encounters between vehicles and people.

3. Building and Infrastructure Protection

The average self-storage property is filled with vulnerable structures that need protecting. Overhead doors, unit walls, downspouts, and fire hydrants are all at risk when vehicles are moving in tight spaces. One wrong turn of a moving truck can collapse a corner or crush a door track, rendering units unusable. Repairs cost money and can force tenants to relocate or delay access to their belongings.

Bollards help safeguard critical infrastructure by absorbing the hit before it reaches the building. For example, placing bollards on either side of a roll-up door keeps trucks aligned as they back up, preventing damage to tracks and frames. Protecting downspouts or utility connections with bollards avoids the type of small accidents that often snowball into major facility issues. Over time, this protection saves on maintenance budgets and keeps units accessible.

PRO TIP: Protect It or Risk It Getting Damaged. Many Storage Facilities Put Bollards on Every Building Corner and Roll Up Door.

4. Lighting and Visibility

Adequate lighting is one of the most important security features at any storage facility. Well-lit lots discourage crime, make tenants feel safer, and reduce liability for slips, trips, and falls. Yet light poles in parking areas or along drive aisles are frequent collision points. A single pole repair can cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the dark patch left behind until it is fixed.

Bollards placed around light poles prevent them from being knocked down by careless drivers. Covers make those bollards highly visible at night with reflective tape strips that reflect light from vehicle headlights with lighting intact, customers feel more confident about the security of the property.

5. Traffic Flow and Vehicle Control

Storage facilities attract an unusual mix of vehicles. Compact cars share space with twenty-six-foot rental trucks. In some locations, boat trailers and RVs also weave through tight driveways designed decades earlier. Without clear boundaries and traffic control, drivers cut corners, block lanes, or misjudge clearance heights. The result is avoidable accidents that frustrate customers and drive up maintenance costs.

Strategic bollard placement helps control traffic flow. Bollards at corners are protecting buildings from wide-turning vehicles. Clearance bars suspended from overhead arms prevent tall trucks from striking building overhangs or canopies. In areas with tight lanes, bollards act as physical markers that prevent drivers from encroaching into pedestrian zones or parking in fire lanes. With the right layout, bollards will transform a confusing property into a well-organized space that accommodates all vehicle types safely.

The Added Value of Bollard Covers

Steel bollards alone provide enough strength to stop slow moving vehicles, but they are only part of the solution. Exposed steel requires regular painting and is prone to rust, fading, and peeling. Bollard covers eliminate the need for constant repainting while improving the appearance of the facility. Covers are made from durable materials that resist UV and weather ensuring they look professional year-round.

Covers can also offer a branding or signage opportunity. Storage facilities can choose colors that match company logos or use reflective striping for improved visibility. This combination of protection, cost savings, and appearance makes bollard covers an important part of any safety plan.

Covers can be taller than the underlying bollards, increasing visibility and awareness to those in tall vehicles .

A Safer Facility Builds Trust

When customers choose a storage facility, they are trusting it with their property. Safety is a large part of that trust. A facility with bent bollards, broken gate arms, or damaged corners does not inspire confidence. On the other hand, a clean and well-protected property shows professionalism and attention to detail.

By addressing these safety challenges with bollards and covers, facility managers not only reduce maintenance costs but also improve customer satisfaction. In a competitive market, those types of advantages matter. Prospective tenants are far more likely to rent from a facility that looks safe, organized, and well cared for.

TL;DR

Storage facilities face unique risks due to the constant flow of vehicles and the variety of equipment on-site. From protecting gate systems to guiding traffic, bollards are a proven solution that prevents accidents and damage before it happens. When paired with covers, they also improve visibility and enhance the overall appearance of the property.

Investing in bollard protection is not just about preventing damage; but building a safer, more reliable facility over the long term. For storage facilities looking to stand out or reduce costs, that investment is one of the simplest and smartest decisions they can make.

Product mentioned:
Bollard Covers
Clearance Structures & Height Guards
Bollards