Comparing Pallet Rack Column Guarding – Styles, Materials & Options
Getting to the Substance Behind Pallet Rack Column Guarding
The majority of pallet rack damage occurs to the lower portion of upright columns, but you don’t have to leave your rack unprotected. Pallet rack column guards pay for themselves by preventing costly downtime and repairs from forklift damage. Think of the car damage that your bumpers prevent, for example. Column guards perform a similar function with equally exceptional results. However, unlike your car, you have a wide selection of guarding products to choose from when equipping your rack system. Let us help you explore your options to make the best choice for your application.
Traditionally, pallet rack guards were manufactured from steel, but now there are molded plastics and specialty rubber products that are highly durable and a little easier to install and replace, making them a great alternative for the right situations.
Pallet Rack Guarding Materials
- Steel
- Molded plastic
- Steel reinforced rubber
Comparing Steel Guards to Molded Options
Each type of guarding offers significant rack protection; however, the claims vary a bit. Here are some pluses and minuses regarding rack guarding options.
Top Row – Steel Column Guards, Bottom Row – End Row Guards
Steel Guards
Pluses
- Available in a range of shapes – angled (v-nose), rounded (often combined with end-of-aisle), bull-nose
- Choose bolt-on vs. anchored guard products
- Standard heights: 6”- 48” – low profile, intermediate and tall
- Customizable to column shape
- Heavy gauge welded steel — typically 3/16” to ⅜” thickness
- Standard paint colors typically yellow or bright orange
- Can be installed by maintenance personnel
- Fire & corrosive-resistant
Column protection is applied just above the baseplate and continues as high as deemed necessary for your application. Your column guard can surround the front and sides in an angled or rounded style or sit flush with the front. Narrow aisle steel guards uniquely wrap the front and extend down one side several inches where the rack is most vulnerable to a strike,
Bullnose or v-nose products protrude away from the column into the aisle (approx. 3” on avg.), deflecting impact away from the column.
Considerations
- Ensure the guard is compatible with the footplate design
- Require anchors or nuts and bolts to secure. Depending on the guard, it may require from 1 to 3 or more.
- Variations on anchoring –floor vs. secured to the rack. You want to be sure you choose the best option for your rack protection needs.
Anchoring Options
Not all steel guards anchor to the floor. Some attach to the rack column and double-duty as a rack reinforcement column. The benefits of column reinforcement are capacity and strike protection, particularly twisting. However, when the guard is attached to the rack, the strike force is directly absorbed by the racking, possibly resulting in costly repairs.
Many styles of steel rack guards are floor anchored. When struck, these guards transfer the force from a forklift strike down to the floor vs. the rack –this definitely provides the benefit of protecting the rack; however, it can also cause floor damage compromising anchoring security
 Steel Column Guards |
 Reinforced Column Protector |
Building Column Guards
Pluses
- Ultra high-impact polyethylene
- Absorbs energy and bounces back to original shape
- Crumple zones reduce strike forces without transferring to rack
- Quick, no hardware or tools installation – adjustable straps
- Easy to replace if damaged
- Removable & replaceable to inspect rack
- Minimize damage to forklifts saving costly repairs & downtime
- Less costly than steel guards
- Typically bright yellow
Considerations
- Less corrosive resistance than steel
- Not as fire-resistant as steel guards
Steel Reinforced Rubber Column Guards
Pluses
- Cost-effective pallet rack protection
- Wraps around the column for front, angled and side impacts
- Easy to install – no hardware required
- More durable than most plastic column guards
- Withstands multiple impacts
- Minimize potential damage to the fork truck
Considerations
- Limited sizes
- Cannot alter shape
Retrofit Pallet Rack Safety
One of the best features of pallet rack guards is that they can be added anytime. While we often recommend post protectors from the get-go, sometimes you just don’t see the need until your operation is in full swing. Installing column guards is likely within the scope of your maintenance staff; however, the Apex installation team can always handle it for you if preferred.
Don’t Overlook Overhead Rack Column Guarding
When guarding your pallet racking, remember to consider what is likely your most vulnerable storage system –your over-the-dock-door racking. Column protection for these systems is designed to wrap both sides of the column vs. the typical front or single-side coverage applied to racking in a storage aisle.
Overall, whether to choose steel or plastic pallet rack guards depends on your needs and budget. Steel guards offer superior strength, fire resistance, and durability while being more aesthetically pleasing in warehouses. However, they can be more expensive and require more maintenance in the long run. Plastic guards are simpler to install and maintain, and you can customize them with different colors and patterns for branding. Whereas steel reinforced rubber options may provide just the right combination of strength and durability.
Contact the Apex team to help you maximize your pallet rack budget. We will walk you through the most economical solution for your particular application needs.
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