What Types of Column Protectors Are Available

When you enter a warehouse, manufacturing plant, or distribution center, you often see long columns extending from the roof to the concrete foundation; these are columns that keep the building’s structure safe and stable. However, these columns are often exposed to direct impact from forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment. A single hit, and you can say goodbye to that safe and sound structure. Column protectors are designed to reduce damage caused by impact and improve warehouse safety.  Understanding the types of column protectors can help managers choose the right column guard to ensure structural stability. 

Column protectors come in various types based on their shape, mounting style, and material. By the end of this article, you will learn about the various types and benefits of column protectors so you can choose the most suitable one for your facility. 

What Are Column Protectors?

Column protectors are “guards” that are designed to protect vulnerable structural components from impact and damage.  As building columns support the structure’s weight, a hard impact can weaken the support and result in dangerous accidents. In many warehouses, column protectors act like a shield around the key spots. How they work depends on the type. Some models can take in part of the hit. Others can move the impact away so the equipment does not touch the column head-on. These guards are a piece of a broader safety effort at work. Still, they do not make a column totally unbreakable.

What Types of Column Protectors Are Available by Material?

1. Steel Column Protectors

Steel column protectors are designed from steel sections or plates to provide strong physical protection against collisions. These barriers are especially useful in busy workplaces where the building columns are constantly exposed to collision threats. A steel column’s performance depends on its impact rating, guard design, and anchoring method.

Key benefits:

• Strong construction for demanding environments
• Suitable for many high-traffic areas
• Can provide substantial impact protection when properly engineered
• Available in different shapes and mounting configurations

2. Plastic Column Protectors

Plastic column protectors are used in less busy work zones to offer protection against minor collisions. These lightweight barriers are not always intended to provide impact protection; they are also used to prevent scratches and damage to surface areas. 

Key benefits:

• Lightweight and generally easy to install
• Available in highly visible colors
• Prevent dampness and rust
• Best suited for low-traffic or light-duty use

3. Polyethylene Column Protectors

Polyethylene is a plastic known for better toughness than typical plastics. It also holds up well around moisture. Polyethylene protectors are built to soften hits from different angles; this can make them a solid safety upgrade in busy aisles. They also fit dock areas, equipment zones, and storage spots.

Key benefits:

• Resistant to moisture and corrosion
• Available in different shapes and sizes
• Suitable for many indoor industrial environments
• Can offer a durable alternative to certain metal coverings

4. Foam Column Protectors

Foam column protectors are padded barriers that use cushioning material to prevent collision impacts. They are suitable for areas where minor bumps or scrapes are likely to occur. They are not the best fit when forklifts operate close to building columns. 

Key benefits:

• Cushions minor bumps and contact
• Helps protect people and equipment from hard edges
• Lightweight and easy to fit around suitable columns
• Useful in selected pedestrian and light-duty areas

5. Rubber Column Protectors

Rubber column protectors give a cushioned layer of protection when vehicles hit a post. You can see them in parking garages, on loading docks, and inside factories. Their purpose is to absorb the impact caused by minor crashes. How well they work depends on two things.  First, the rubber thickness.  Second, how the unit is mounted.

Key benefits:

• Provides cushioning against minor impacts
• Can resist everyday wear in suitable environments
• Available in different shapes and thicknesses
• Useful for pedestrian protection applications

What Types of Column Protectors Are Available by Design?

1. Bolt-On Column Protectors

Bolt-on column protectors use bolts and mechanical fasteners to attach the guard to the column. Some protectors are secured to the floor and around the structural support. 

Best suited for: Applications that require a securely mounted protective guard.

2. Wrap-Around Column Protectors

Wrap-around guards surround some or all of a column’s exposed surfaces. They are available in different materials and can protect multiple sides of a column.

Best suited for: Columns that may be approached by vehicles from different directions.

3. Floor-Mounted Column Guards

Floor-mounted column guards are secured to the floor around a vulnerable structure. 

Best suited for: Busy loading areas and industrial workspaces where stronger separation is needed.

4. Adjustable Column Protectors

Adjustable column protectors expand and adjust to various column sizes and installation requirements. 

Best suited for: Facilities with varying column dimensions and installation constraints.

5. Rack-Mounted Column Protectors

Rack-mounted column protectors protect storage racks from collisions and forklift impacts. Rack guards and building column protectors are designed for different applications and should not be used interchangeably. 

Best suited for: Storage aisles and warehouse racking systems.

Column Protection Products Available from AMPS Supply

AMPS Supply offers a wide variety of column and structural guards. Each product is suited for specific applications and cannot be used as a substitute for other applications.

1. Gantry/Jib Guard (CG)
2. Removable Machine Guards & Bollards (HPRO-R)
3. Building Protective Column Pads (V-PAD)
4. Building Column Protectors  (VB)
5. Hexagonal Column Guards (HEX)
6. Heavy Duty Column Protectors (CGP)

How to Choose the Right Column Protectors

Assess Forklift Traffic

Assess vehicle and equipment traffic around building columns. Does your facility have tight turns, narrow aisles, and busy work zones? In this scenario, stronger column protection is required. The type of forklift, its speed, and the weight of loads it carries also matter. Steel guards or high-density polyethylene column protectors are the most suitable here.

Identify the Structure Being Protected

Determine the type of structure being protected – a building column, a machine, a rack I-beam, or a crane support. Each structure has different requirements and requires a specific guard protector. 

Check Dimensions and Available Space

Check dimensions of the columns and account for available space. An adjustable column protector is suited for facilities with varying column sizes. Consider clearance space required for equipment and workers. A guard should improve workplace safety without causing any spatial obstruction. 

Review Impact Resistance

Column protectors do not carry the same level of impact resistance. Some guards are intended to protect surfaces from minor contact, while others are designed to absorb impact force caused by strong collisions. Before choosing a column guard, review the manufacturer’s specifications and information available related to impact testing. Consult a professional to determine the appropriate level of resistance required for your unique operations. 

Consider Installation and Maintenance

Consider the type of installation required for the column protector you choose. Check if it requires fasteners or special tools. Carry out regular maintenance and check for any signs of deformation or damage. If the guard is unfit for continued us then change it on a prompt basis. 

Final Thoughts

Column protectors help reduce the impact of collisions and the risk of damage to structural columns. They come in various compositions: plastic, polyethylene, foam, and rubber. Each column protector is suitable for different applications. 

Before you buy, check the manufacturer’s details and the installation steps. Confirm the column protector suits your site’s needs. A protection plan that is set up well can cut down on unnecessary repairs. It can also help protect important parts of your facility and support safer work in the warehouse.