What are Stanchions and how do you use them?

Stanchions are used for many different purposes such as crowd control, waiting lines, marking off areas, protecting art or cars, designating “Do Not Enter” or “Protected Equipment” or dangerous areas. Many different places use stanchions including banks, restaurants, trade shows, arenas and they have many other applications. They can be line barriers or queue barriers that you often see in airports, movie theaters, hotels, restaurants, sport venues and anywhere crowd management is required. Stanchions for crowd control and crowd management purposes are defined as upright posts with a retractable belt, stanchion post rope, or plastic chain that serves to control and manage crowds. 

Stanchions are often referred to by many names, including stantions, stantion, standcions, stansions, belt barriers, retractable belt barriers, crowd control posts, crowd control systems, queue posts, and queuing systems. What follows is a detailed look at the differences between the various styles of stanchions and their applications. 

Retractable belt stanchions use a spring mechanism to retract a nylon belt and store it in a canister attached to the post. Domestically produced stanchion mechanisms have many built in safety features.  Many cheap imported stanchions do not have these safety features, so may the buyer beware. Retractable belt barrier stanchions are designed for standard crowd control. Stanchions with retractable belts are the most effective and flexible form of crowd control to control lines and crowds. Retractable belts and posts can also easily be customized with your brand, message or logo. These style stanchions come in a wide variety of post finishes and belt colors.  While not as elegant in appearance as classic posts and rope, quality retractable belt barriers and stanchions can be very attractive and provide an unlimited amount of flexibility to their configurations.

Conventional stanchion posts for ropes or chains are available in a many styles and finishes that compliment any decor. These stanchion posts and rope are typically used in applications where an elegant look is desired and crowd control is a secondary concern. Some applications for conventional stanchion posts and rope include movie theaters, museums, restaurants, night clubs, art or car displays, churches and elegant events. Stanchion posts and rope should be used to create an elegant look and style, while crowd control is a secondary concern.

For those on a budget, or if you need a lightweight crowd control system, we recommend plastic stanchions and chain. They are lightweight and can be filled with gravel or sand for added stability. Plastic stanchions come in many different styles and colors ranging from black to chrome. They are made of high quality plastic for durability and stability.