A retractable bollard provides one of the most reliable forms of perimeter access control — rising and lowering on demand to permit or block vehicle entry, and remaining in place as a robust physical barrier when raised. At Avant Guard Gates, we supply and install the complete Rise bollard range by Benincà Group across Vancouver, Surrey, and the Lower Mainland.
Rise bollards are available in three performance tiers to suit every application, from residential driveways to embassy-grade anti-terrorism perimeters: the electromechanical Caesar series, the high-cycle hydraulic Spartacus series, and the crash-certified Maximum M30 series.
What Are Automatic Retractable Bollards?
Automatic bollards are vertical cylinders that rise from flush with the ground to block vehicle access, then retract to allow authorised entry. Unlike fixed bollards, retractable units integrate with your access control system — gates, intercoms, keypads, or remote transmitters — to give you full control over who enters and when.
Common applications include:
- Residential driveways and private entrances
- Car parks and commercial loading bays
- Pedestrian zones and urban access management
- Embassies, police stations, and government facilities
- Military bases and critical infrastructure sites
- Factory entrances and industrial access points
The Rise Bollard Range
All Rise bollards are finished in Graphite Black powder-coated steel or brushed AISI 316 stainless steel, with integrated LED lighting as standard. Foundation boxes are pre-assembled — no on-site welding required.
Caesar Series — Electromechanical
24 Vdc · 200 mm Ø
The Caesar series uses a 24 Vdc electromechanical drive — quiet, energy-efficient, and suited to residential and lower-traffic commercial installations where aesthetic integration matters. Up to 1,000 cycles per day. EN124 (25T) foundation box.
Caesar 200/800/I
Entry-level automatic bollard. 800 mm exposed height, 200 mm diameter, 5 mm wall thickness. Integrated LED. Single control panel manages two bollards simultaneously. Locks raised on power failure.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive | Electromechanical, 24 Vdc |
| Exposed height | 800 mm (600 mm option) |
| Diameter | 200 mm |
| Wall thickness | 5 mm |
| Foundation | EN124 (25T) |
| Daily cycles | Up to 1,000 |
| Lighting | LED integrated |
| Failsafe | Locked raised on power failure |
Caesar 200/800/I Plus
Adds a patented custom-key manual release — the bollard can be raised and lowered by hand without power. Includes a recirculating ball screw mechanism for low wear and high longevity. Integrated obstacle detection via amperometric monitoring. Optional battery kit, heater, and buzzer accessories.
- All Caesar 200/800/I features included
- Manual release via patented proprietary key — no tools required
- RS485 bus; optional TCP/IP Ethernet module
- Anti-vandal mode: detects forced operation, resets and triggers alarm
- PLUG&PLAY bollard-to-panel wiring
Spartacus Series — Hydraulic
230 Vac · 200 mm / 275 mm Ø
The Spartacus series uses an independent hydraulic pump per bollard, laterally mounted to survive vehicle impacts and simplify maintenance. Available in 200 mm and 275 mm diameters, with 600 mm or 800 mm heights. Rated to 3,500 cycles per day — ideal for high-traffic commercial and industrial sites.
Spartacus 200/800/I
Standard hydraulic bollard with 6 mm cylinder wall, built-in LED, and dual-bollard control. Manual release included. Optional pressure-switch obstacle detection and foundation-box heating kit.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive | Hydraulic, 230 Vac |
| Exposed height | 800 mm (600 mm option) |
| Diameter | 200 mm (275 mm option) |
| Wall thickness | 6 mm (10 mm on R/RI series) |
| Foundation | EN124 (25T) |
| Daily cycles | Up to 3,500 |
| Lighting | LED integrated |
| Failsafe | Locked raised on power failure |
Spartacus 200/800/I AL — Auto-Lower Variant
All standard features plus automatic lowering on power failure (via GL.AL module). Required for emergency evacuation routes and managed vehicle lanes where the bollard must retract if power is lost.
Maximum M30 Series — Anti-Terrorism Certified
Hydraulic · IWA 14-1 · PAS68 · ASTM M30
The Maximum M30 is a fully certified crash-rated bollard designed to stop a 7,500 kg vehicle at 48 km/h. Tested to IWA 14-1:2013, PAS68:2013, and ASTM F2656 with a negative penetration result of −0.8 m. EN124 (40T) foundation for heavy commercial vehicles. Specified for embassies, police stations, military bases, and sensitive government or infrastructure sites.
- IWA 14-1:2013 — V/7200 [N3C] /48/90
- PAS68:2013 — V/7500 [N3] /48/90 : −0.5
- ASTM F2656 — Rating C730/7200 – P1 · Penetration: −0.8 m
Maximum M30/I
Standard crash-rated variant. Independent hydraulic pump per bollard, laterally positioned to survive impact. Built-in LED, dual-bollard control, manual release. Painted steel or AISI 316 electropolished stainless steel. Optional buzzer and foundation-box heater.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drive | Hydraulic, 230 Vac |
| Certifications | IWA 14-1:2013 / PAS68:2013 / ASTM F2656 |
| Impact resistance | 7,500 kg @ 48 km/h |
| Penetration result | −0.8 m (negative) |
| Foundation | EN124 (40T) |
| Lighting | LED integrated |
| Failsafe | Locked raised on power failure |
Maximum M30 EFO/I — Emergency Fast Operation
All M30/I crash certifications maintained, with the addition of EFO (Emergency Fast Operation) mode — the bollard rises to full height in just 1.5 seconds on activation. Essential for sites requiring an immediate threat response, including security control points, embassy driveways, and police perimeters.
- Raises to full height in 1.5 seconds in EFO mode
- Full IWA 14-1 / PAS68 / ASTM F2656 certification retained
- EN124 (40T) foundation box
- All standard Maximum M30/I accessories compatible
Rise Bollard Range — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Caesar 200/800/I | Spartacus 200/800/I | Maximum M30/I |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive | Electromechanical | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
| Power | 24 Vdc | 230 Vac | 230 Vac |
| Wall thickness | 5 mm | 6 mm (10 mm R) | Heavy-duty |
| Foundation | EN124 (25T) | EN124 (25T) | EN124 (40T) |
| Daily cycles | 1,000 | 3,500 | As specified |
| LED integrated | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crash certified | — | — | IWA / PAS68 / ASTM M30 |
| EFO 1.5 sec raise | — | — | EFO/I variant |
| Auto-lower failsafe | — | AL variant | — |
| Manual key release | Plus variant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Finish options | Graphite Black powder coat / Brushed AISI 316 stainless steel | ||
Why Choose Avant Guard Gates for Rise Bollards?
- Authorized Benincà Group distributor — full warranty and factory support
- Over 20 years of gate and access control experience in BC
- Complete service: site survey, specification, supply, installation, and maintenance
- CSA-compliant installations across residential, commercial, and government sites
- 24/7 emergency service and repair across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Caesar, Spartacus, and Maximum?
Caesar is electromechanical (24 Vdc) and best for lower-traffic sites up to 1,000 cycles per day. Spartacus is hydraulic (230 Vac) and handles up to 3,500 cycles daily, suited to commercial and industrial sites. Maximum M30 is a crash-certified anti-terrorism bollard for the highest security applications.
Are Rise bollards crash-rated?
The Maximum M30 series carries full IWA 14-1:2013, PAS68:2013, and ASTM F2656 certifications. Caesar and Spartacus are not crash-rated but comply with EN124 (25T) and are designed for access control rather than vehicle arrest.
Can Rise bollards be integrated with our existing access control system?
Yes. Rise bollards support RS485 bus communication and optional TCP/IP Ethernet modules, making them compatible with most gate management and access control platforms. Our team can advise on integration during the site survey.
Do you install bollards outside Surrey and Vancouver?
Yes — we serve the full Lower Mainland including Langley, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver Island. Contact us to discuss your site.
What maintenance do bollards require?
Hydraulic units require periodic fluid checks and seal inspections. Electromechanical units need periodic lubrication and drive inspection. Our maintenance teams are available across the Lower Mainland and offer service agreements to keep your system running reliably.
