Column Guard

How Column Damage Impacts Your Operations

Repair and Downtime Costs

Forklift collisions with building columns create significant financial burdens for facility operations. A single impact can result in repairs costing tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of structural damage. Production interruptions compound these expenses during unplanned downtime while repairs are completed.

Damaged columns often require professional structural engineering evaluations, permits, and specialized contractors, extending repair timelines from days to weeks. Meanwhile, affected areas must remain off-limits, reducing operational capacity and forcing expensive workflow adjustments.

Worker Safety Concerns

Column impacts pose serious risks to forklift operators and nearby personnel. Sudden impacts can cause load shifts, tip-overs, or equipment malfunctions, potentially resulting in injuries. Operators may suffer whiplash, head injuries, or crushing injuries from shifting cargo during collisions.

Infrastructure Protection

Building columns primarily support structural loads, but they also house electrical conduits, plumbing lines, and HVAC systems. Impact damage can rupture these systems, causing water damage, power outages, or climate control failures that affect entire facility operations. Repeated impacts weaken structural integrity over time. Small cracks and deformations accumulate, potentially compromising load-bearing capacity and putting the entire building at risk.

Axelent X-Protect Column Guards

Axelent offers two column protection solutions: the Multifunction Column Guard and the Adjustable Column Guard. Both systems use flexible polymer construction to prevent damage from vehicle impacts.

Fits Multiple Column Types

The Multifunction Column Guard's asymmetrical adjustment capability accommodates widths from 250mm to 700mm through rail cutting customization.

The Adjustable Column Guard's four-section construction wraps around irregular column shapes that standard rigid guards cannot protect. The polymer materials in both systems flex during installation, conforming to surface irregularities and providing complete column coverage without gaps that reduce protection effectiveness.

Impact Resistance Testing

The Multifunction Column Guard undergoes rigorous impact testing to verify protection performance. These guards withstand impacts of 1800 joules, equivalent to a 5500-pound forklift traveling at 2.6 mph. Testing includes both front and rear truck impacts to simulate real-world collision scenarios.

Both column guard systems are constructed from highly flexible, low-density polyethylene that absorbs and distributes impact energy across the guard's surface. This reduces the force transmitted to the protected column while allowing the guard to return to its original shape.

Installation and Repair

The Multifunction Column Guard is designed for quick setup. Asymmetrical adjustment capabilities allow customization by cutting rails to fit specific column dimensions. This system requires no specialized tools and enables effortless repairs when needed.

The Adjustable Column Guard requires no floor anchoring systems. Its four-section design allows one person to position and secure the guard around existing columns without disrupting facility operations. Individual sections can be replaced if damaged, avoiding complete guard replacement costs.

Environmental Responsibility

Each column guard uses a single polymer type throughout its construction, simplifying recycling processes. The polyethylene material maintains protective properties through multiple impact events, extending service life. At the end of service life, guards can be completely disassembled and recycled through standard plastic waste streams.

Column Guard Applications

Warehouse and Distribution

Column guard protection benefits high forklift traffic zones, particularly in narrow aisles where operators have limited maneuvering space. Loading dock areas experience frequent vehicle traffic and tight turning radii that increase collision probability. Cross-docking operations create additional risks as multiple vehicles operate simultaneously in confined spaces.

Manufacturing Operations

Production floor columns support overhead cranes, conveyor systems, and process equipment requiring uninterrupted operation. Impact damage can affect precision manufacturing processes and expensive automated systems. Heavy equipment operating areas present increased collision risks due to larger vehicle sizes and reduced operator visibility.

Automated Facilities

AGV and AMR systems operate with programmed routes that may pass close to structural columns. While these systems include collision avoidance technology, mechanical failures can result in impacts. Robotic work environments combine human workers with automated systems, creating complex traffic patterns around structural elements.

Why Choose Axelent Column Guards

Axelent brings precision engineering and quality materials to industrial safety applications. Made in Hillerstorp, Sweden, each column guard undergoes comprehensive testing and quality control processes that exceed industry standards.

The modular X-Protect system integrates with other Axelent safety products, including impact barriers, bollards, and pedestrian barriers. This compatibility allows facilities to create comprehensive safety solutions using components from a single manufacturer, simplifying procurement and maintenance.

Our polymer column guards are competitively priced compared to steel alternatives, making them an excellent option for facilities seeking effective protection without excessive costs. Lower material costs, reduced installation complexity, and simplified maintenance create superior value.

Contact us today to discuss your facility's operations and requirements, and our team will help you determine the best safety barriers and guard columns for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do polymer guards compare to steel options?

Polymer guards offer superior impact absorption, lighter weight, and corrosion resistance compared to steel alternatives. Installation requires no welding or specialized equipment, reducing labor costs. Polymer materials eliminate sharp edges and provide better visibility through bright safety colors.

How do I select the right column guard size?

Measure the largest dimension of your column, whether width, diameter, or diagonal distance. The X-Protect system accommodates columns from 250mm to 700mm through on-site cutting adjustments. Order one size larger than your measurement to allow for proper fit during installation.

Can these guards work in outdoor environments?

Low-density UV protected polyethylene resists degradation, moisture, and temperature variations, making it suitable for most outdoor applications. Stainless steel hardware prevents corrosion in humid conditions. Material specification verification may be required in extreme temperature environments.