FAQ – Frequently asked questions

ABES bollards mean you’re using a unique, patented mounting system. The key advantage here is the separate pre-determined breaking point, which helps reduce maintenance costs by up to 90 percent. We also offer a variety of bollard designs, from modern to classic. Our range has something to suit all tastes. And if you can’t find the model you want, we’ll build you one according to your specifications.
As the system is such that all our 3p-Technology bollards are removable, they can also be used interchangeably, or replaced/supplemented with other 3p-Technology products.
Place your trust in our long-time experience and a tried-and-tested, unrivalled product.
If you want to secure squares or streets where you believe the pre-determined breaking point would not be suitable, we can also provide junction pieces without pre-determined breaking points.

The main difference lies in the materials used. The standard base cover is made from shapely cast aluminium, powder-coated in accordance with DB 703 fine-textured metallic iron, and is simply placed over the base.
The sprung cover consists of a zinc-plated steel cap with stainless-steel springs underneath. The cover’s clamping strength on the base can be adjusted by manually compressing the stainless-steel springs. The springs, however, make it sit firmly on the base, and can only be removed using a levering tool.

Simply loosen the clamping cone’s screw and remove the (broken) junction piece. To do this, follow the installation instructions in reverse. These are available for download as a PDF document under the photo gallery on the product page. Please contact us if you have any questions. We’ll be glad to assist you further.

When correctly fitted, our 3p-Technology systems remain permanently stable and unmoving. A solid steel tube inside our bollards guarantees their stability.

Products compatible with the 3p-Technology are denoted by the “3p-Technology” logo. In addition to barriers, we also offer illuminated bollards, bins, park benches, bollard seats and ashtray bollards with this mounting system. The standardised base (available in three lengths) means all products featuring 3p-Technology are interchangeable. All junction pieces and screws can similarly be interchanged.

The three holes are found on all N2 clamping cones delivered from 2016 onwards. In combination with the separate special tool, they enable locking in the event the screw joint cannot, for any reason, be loosened unilaterally, e.g. if the bollard has not been removed for years. But: This 3-pin tool can only be used to lock the screw; it is not designed to tighten it.

In this case, we give you the option of using a junction piece with anti-roll stop. The integrated steel rod with welded-on screw nut keeps the bollard connected to the base after the junction piece has broken. More information, e.g. an interactive cost calculator and video, is available on our website and in the catalogue under “3p-Technology”.

If there is an impact against the barriers, the steel springs in the junction piece buckle by 8 to 10 degrees. If the impact stops, the barrier returns to its original position. If the impact persists, the pre-determined breaking point eventually gives away, preventing damage to the bollard, foundation and pavement.

Yes. In this case, however, there is greater damage and destruction in the event of an impact, and damage costs are higher. But there is sometimes good reason to use a junction piece without pre-determined breaking point. One example of this would be to protect pedestrians in narrow spaces or on narrow pavements, in front of display windows, jeweller’s shops etc.
Important advantage: Unlike permanently concrete-cast bollards, bollards featuring junction pieces without pre-determined breaking point can be removed at any time.

The pre-determined breaking point is a defined narrowing in the junction piece serving as the link between the bollard and base. It ensures that, if damaged, only the junction piece gives way, preventing any damage to the bollard or foundation.  The pre-determined breaking point has also been designed so that the breaking point is always below ground level. This stops any broken fragment of the base from sticking out and posing a tripping hazard to the elderly or people with impaired vision.

“3p high” was developed to enable the use of a long-handle triangular screw. The screw joint is set higher up to provide enough space below for the tool’s lever strokes, allowing it to be opened and closed without being moved. This saves time, especially in urgent cases. The bollard’s small diameter means the clamping cones may jut out slightly. If in doubt, please contact us.

Yes, because of the system, 3p-Technology products can generally be removed. To minimise the number of people capable of removing a bollard, we recommend using special screws (e.g. DIN triangular screws used by the fire brigade, oval screws or teardrop screws), which require a particular tool in order to be loosened.

No. The 3p-Technology only works with our bases.

Both options are possible, though the idea is for installation to be flush with the ground. The 100-mm base is anchored onto an even foundation with stud bolts, and then paved in, cast in bitumen or concrete-cast, flush with the ground.

Yes, there is. You can convert the existing bollard (featuring 3p-Technology) to a junction piece without pre-determined breaking point. This type of mounting provides the usual resistance of conventional, fixed installation, but (due to the system) can still be removed.
Alternatively to the 3p mounting, ABES also offers every bollard model with a base anchor which can be cemented in.

We are not aware of a single case in which a bollard has been kicked over.

No, not if you want it to have the same properties as it did before breaking. The junction piece of the ABES 3p-Technology is made from ductile cast iron. The original function cannot be 100% restored by trying to glue or weld a broken junction piece at the pre-determined breaking point.

Yes, you can. Our 100-mm base with surrounding flange and four holes for anchor bolts is suitable for shallow installation depths.
Please note: The system’s functionality is considerably dependent on the quality of the foundation. Please see also the installation instructions, which are available in the downloads area of our online shop. You are welcome to contact us at any time if you have any questions.

We offer bases for (almost) every subsurface. Our 3p-Technology systems come with a 300-mm-long base as a standard. When using high paving stones or fitting it into soft, clayey subsurfaces, we recommend bases with lengths of 500 mm.
Very important: The functionality of the 3p-Technology is considerably dependent on the quality of the foundation. Please see also the installation instructions, which are available in the downloads area of our online shop. You are welcome to contact us at any time if you have any questions.

No, a missing bollard does not pose any risk. The bases are fitted flush with the ground. Please also see the relevant installation recommendation. If the bollard is removed together with the junction piece, a separate base cover can be used to seal the visible opening. If a 3p system is knocked over, the broken part of the junction piece similarly poses no tripping hazard.

The 3-pin system provides a locking mechanism to open the clamping cone set. Locking is only required if, for some reason, the screw does not loosen. In this case, the screw is grasped in the usual way, and the opposing N2 clamping cone is tightened using the special 3-pin tool, thereby preventing the screw from slipping or spinning when loosened.
Please note: The 3-pin tool is only designed to lock, not to tighten the system.

Of course. All necessary tools, including DIN triangular screws used by the fire brigade and other special screws, are available under “Accessories & spare parts” in our online shop.

In 99.5 percent of cases, yes. Normally, only the junction piece is destroyed; this can sometimes scratch the bollard. In the worse-case scenario, the screw may also bend out of shape. Obviously even the most solid of material will eventually give way under massive impact, because nothing is impossible when it comes to road traffic.

One person needs around two minutes to replace the junction piece.

No, a broken junction piece does not pose any risk to pedestrians.

The design is such that, when the lid is opened, the ashtray’s contents empty into the inner container.

All bins have drain holes in the base. The inner containers do not, so that no residual fluids leak onto the street.

We produce virtually exclusively in Germany and Luxembourg.

Yes, you don’t need to worry about that.

You can reach us at our offices in Niederanven and Siegen from 8am to 4.30pm (GMT+1) weekdays. Our warehouse in Wormeldange is staffed from 9am to 12am Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or by prior arrangement.

This question depends on circumstances and the materials used. Our products are generally very robust and long-lasting. Overall: Daily road traffic is unpredictable: While damage exceeding the mechanical breaking point and completely destroying the bollard is extremely rare, it cannot be completely discounted.
The powder coating should, however, be reconditioned from time to time, and we offer a special service for this.

ABES was founded in 1994, and has long-time experience on the market. Our products are tried and tested, and are constantly being further developed and – where necessary – improved.

No, all bollards have remained in the range since 1999. We don’t want to try and pre-empt your tastes either.
Worth knowing: In order to craft a bollard out of cast aluminium, we first create a mould which can then be permanently reused. It thus does not make financial sense to destroy a model.

Please call the number at the top of this website. We’ll be glad to discuss your project with you and find the best solution. We can also arrange a time for an on-site visit and/or presentation with you.

HWS-mobil is a 3p-Technology-based mobile flood protection solution enabling fast reactions to heavy rain. The only difference to the “classic” 3p technology is that the junction piece does NOT have a pre-determined breaking point.
Key advantages: Fast assembly without lever, light weight, easy to clean, and practical, space-saving storage. Another plus is that all 3p-technology products are compatible with HWS-mobil.

HOWATEC GmbH is a sister company of ABES S.àr.l., and manufactures the HWS-mobil mobile flood protection system based on 3p-Technology. The mobile flood protection system, as well as ABES’ products on the German market are also distributed and sold through HOWATEC GmbH.

No, we do not provide an assembly team. Our products are easy to set up; this can be done by gardening & landscaping companies or civil engineering companies.

The partnership between ABES and Ziegler goes back a long way. ABES has exclusively represented Ziegler Metall AG in Luxembourg since 2004. In return, ABES products are listed in the Ziegler catalogue and in the Ziegler online shop.

Yes, our special screw can be found in the “Accessories” section, where we offer a teardrop screw which has been registered as a utility model. Other special formats are available upon request.

Our products are all over the world, especially in Luxembourg and Germany. We will glad to advise you of locations and contacts near you, so you can see the products for yourself.
The system is actually best presented in action. That’s the only way you can get an extensive understanding of its function, (cost) advantages, robustness and workmanship.
We can also come to you to present the 3p-Technology products and all the other items in our range.

Yes. However, so that the goods can be made available and someone is on site, we ask that you call us in advance. The warehouse is located about 16 km from our office.

Our warehouse’s address for deliveries and collections is:
ABES S.àr.l.
Zone industrielle
5-7, Op Tomm
L-5485 Wormeldange-Haut
Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9am to 12am, or by appointment
Please note that no goods can be handed over without the necessary documentation.
Collections must be arranged in advance with our office in Niederanven, Luxembourg.

Shipping costs depend on quantity and delivery location. The costs are calculated for you in the shopping cart, and then confirmed to you if you decide to go ahead with the purchase. We will contact you immediately if there are any discrepancies.

Our standard delivery time is around eight to ten weeks, though this depends heavily on seasonal fluctuations, and may be even longer in exceptional cases. Some of the most commonly sold products are kept in stock, either uncoated or powder-coated in DB 703. We usually have an adequate number of bases, junction pieces and clamping cones for the 3p technology in stock. In urgent cases, we expressly recommend contacting us directly; we’ll find the right solution for you.

Because we know our products are valuable and of a high quality, we deliver first and then send the bill. We only deviate from this rule if a company has been rejected by our credit insurance company following an audit. This means that municipalities and public institutions do not generally have to pay in advance.

No, our online shop is aimed purely at municipalities, the public sector, commercial customers and industry. We do not, however, exclude private individuals from being our customers. If there’s something you like, simply call us, fax us, or use the request form in our online shop.

Yes, you generally can. In each case, we recommend an appropriate sized (point) foundation to ensure the stand is stable.
Some models, e.g. bike-parking stand 450-2, should generally be concrete-cast, as the protruding rear part can also be used as gym equipment for children. If in doubt, please always contact us.

When it comes to bike stands, we generally distinguish between bike-parking stands, support racks and parking rails. For valuable bikes, we recommend parking stands like 450-1, 450-2 or 451. They surround the front wheel without clamping it. You can also lean the bike and, depending on the model, secure the front wheel and frame with a lock. Model 450-2 also enables the rear wheel to be fastened with a second lock.

The RAL colour chart is a standardised colour palette used worldwide. Each of its colours is assigned a unique number allowing it to be accurately defined without the need for samples. This makes colour communications easier, and ensures consistency. Despite the standardisation, minor colour differences among the various manufacturers cannot be totally discounted. An overview of the RAL colours is available here.
Please note that the colours displayed on the screen are not binding, and may differ from screen to screen.

The process used for powder coating or creating a baked enamel finish has a number of advantages over classic wet painting. It offers great resistance to impacts and chemical effects (e.g. dog urine, de-icing salt, etc.). Baked enamel finishes are also more environmentally friendly, as they produce virtually no by-products during baking, and contain no toxic, odorous or flammable solvents.

Yes, our standard colours are: RAL 3020 (Traffic red), 6005 (Moss green), 6009 (Fir green), 7016 (Anthracite grey), 7035 (Light grey), 9005 (Jet black), 9006 (White aluminium) and DB 703 fine-textured metallic iron. Other RAL and DB colours are available upon request and at an extra charge. The surcharge ceases to apply if more than ten bollards in the same colour are ordered.

Our years of experience have shown that matte or textured coatings (e.g. DB 703 fine-textured metallic iron or RAL colours) work best. This is particularly true for our cast-aluminium products whose surface is rougher but incomparably pleasant to the touch. We will be glad to advise you individually on this.

If your ABES bollards have unsightly marks or scratches, you should get us to recoat them, saving you the need to buy a new bollard. We provide a special service for this, which includes transportation costs and powder coating. If these are just cosmetic defects, we can help you with paint sticks or sprays in the relevant colour.

Steel parts are generally hot-dip galvanised using the HT or NT process. In exceptional cases, cathodic dip-painting (CDP) is applied. CDP is a standard process designed to protect vehicle bodywork from corroding. If the robust protective coating is damaged, corrosion may occur.

Our illuminated bollards are designed for outdoor use all year round. The respective product pages contain specifications on the resistance categories.

Wood is a natural product, which is why it may naturally bend and crack. A certain degree of surface roughness cannot be discounted either.

Yes, we are also able to offer local woods upon request. Please note that wood types potentially regrown in Europe may often also come from non-European countries or regions.

Park benches with seat pads made of tropical wood grey out over time when untreated. If a more or less constant appearance is desired, the woods must be treated with a glaze regularly, but at least once a year. Tropical woods are durable, low-maintenance and robust. These are all properties that fulfil important criteria, especially in the public sector.