BFT STOPPY B 115/500 vs UPARK Automatic Bollards: A Practical Buyer's Comparison

When specifying retractable bollards for vehicle access control, buyers often weigh established European brands against newer manufacturers. The BFT STOPPY B 115/500 is a well-known electromechanical bollard sold through distributors such as All Security Equipment. This article puts its published specifications side by side with UPARK's 36V automatic bollard line, so you can see where each product actually fits before you write the spec.

What the BFT STOPPY B 115/500 offers

The STOPPY B 115/500 runs on 230V mains power through a PERSEO CBE control unit. Its steel shaft is 114 mm in diameter and 490 mm high, with a 6-second rise and fall time. BFT rates impact resistance at 7000 J and break-in proof at 60,000 J, lists ingress protection at IP67, and classifies the duty cycle as semi-intensive. The bollard operates from -20 C to 60 C, uses REED magnetic limit switches, includes slowdown on both open and close, and ships with a foundation box. BFT backs it with a 2-year warranty. It is a mature, widely deployed product with a large installed base.

Where the specification differences matter

The single biggest difference is operating voltage. The STOPPY B 115/500 carries 230V AC at the bollard, so field wiring must meet high-voltage code and typically requires a licensed electrician. UPARK's automatic bollards run on 36V DC at the post. Because 36V is widely treated as a safe voltage, field wiring carries far lower shock risk in wet environments - exactly where bollards live - and the installation crew can often complete all connections without a separate electrician visit. That changes both the permit burden and the labor cost on a project.

Installation method is the second divider. Like most 230V electromechanical bollards, the STOPPY B 115/500 sits in a conventional below-grade foundation pit. UPARK's units are engineered for no-drainage installation, which removes the need to build a drained sump and cuts on-site civil works. For sites with a high water table or poor natural drainage, that single detail shifts both the budget and the schedule.

Duty cycle and waterproofing come next. BFT lists the STOPPY B 115/500 as semi-intensive, suited to moderate traffic. UPARK rates its bollards for continuous (intensive) duty, which matches busy entrances, car parks, and commercial sites better. Both reach IP67 ingress protection; UPARK's line also offers IP68 variants for harsher, occasionally submerged conditions.

Side-by-side comparison

Operating voltage: BFT 230V AC at the post | UPARK 36V DC at the post.

Duty cycle: BFT semi-intensive | UPARK intensive / continuous.

Waterproofing: both IP67 | UPARK also offers IP68.

Installation: conventional below-grade pit with drainage | UPARK no-drainage design.

Rise time: BFT 6 seconds | UPARK models typically 2-4 seconds.

Warranty: BFT 2 years | UPARK coverage per model line.

Questions worth asking your supplier

Before you commit, ask any vendor for the voltage at the bollard head (not just at the control panel), whether field wiring needs a licensed electrician, what happens if water reaches the cable run, and whether the duty cycle covers your real peak traffic. The answers separate a spec that looks good on paper from one that holds up on site.

Which one should you specify?

Choose the BFT STOPPY B 115/500 if you already standardize on BFT controls and 230V infrastructure, and your site sees moderate traffic. Choose UPARK 36V automatic bollards when low-voltage safety, no-drainage installation, intensive duty, or IP68 waterproofing matter - which is common for schools, residential driveways, public spaces, and flood-prone or poorly drained sites.

UPARK designs its bollards around a simple idea: professional vehicle access control without high-voltage hazards or complex drainage. To see the full range and download specifications, visit our automatic bollards page, or read about our engineering approach on the About Us page.