Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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General FAQs
> Is plastic strong enough?
Yes! Our rack guards and column guards are manufactured from a special grade of ultra high impact polyethylene (HDPE). Our products have established a reputation throughout the world for exceptional performance in a wide range of extreme environments from Arctic winters (and cold stores) to hot Australian summers.
> What warranty applies to Protect-it products?
We warrant that all Protect-it products will be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of delivery. If your product fails due to a material or manufacturing defect during this warranty period we will repair it without charge or replace it (at our discretion).
This warranty applies only to original, unmodified products which are assembled, installed, used and maintained in accordance with our instructions. It does not cover damage caused by accident, negligence or normal wear and tear. This warranty is available only to the original purchaser (it is non-transferable).
The maximum liability under this warranty (or in connection with any product purchase) shall not exceed the amount paid by the purchaser. Eye-Catcher Innovations shall not be liable for any consequential, special or indirect loss or damage.
> What shipping options do you offer?
We ship our products to distributors all over the world. Please use our store locator to find your nearest distributor. Shipping details are shown on the technical info pages for our products:
Protect-it XL rack guard FAQs
> Why choose Protect-it XL rack guards?
Protect-it XL pallet rack guards are an effective, economical solution for reducing rack damage and improving worksite safety. Here are some key reasons to choose Protect-it XL:
- Protect-it XL is a large format guard that provides robust protection to a height of 500mm (19.7").
- Adaptable to fit roll-formed (open back) and structural (closed column) racking uprights from 70mm to 90mm wide.
- Easy clip-on installation with no tools or drilling means that anyone can install Protect-it XL.
- Low purchase cost, quick installation and easy replacement make Protect-it XL a highly economical rack upright protection solution.
- Easily released from the upright for rack inspections.
- Suitable for use in cold stores down to -40°C.
- Protect-it rack guards have been used by industry leaders worldwide for over 15 years.
> How long does it take to install Protect-it XL rack guards?
Our XL guards take just seconds to install by hand. Simply push the Protect-it XL guard onto the rack upright and attach two high strength clips to the rear. Follow the instructions in our installation guide.
> Are Protect-it XL rack guards cost effective?
A high quality rack protection solution will quickly pay for itself by minimising forklift damage and costly repairs to your racking. Protect-it XL provides exceptional value for money with an affordable purchase price, rapid installation and very low maintenance costs.
> Do Protect-it XL rack guards meet performance standards?
Protect-it XL rack guards pass both front and side impact tests specified in the European Codes EN 15512-2009 and FEM 10.2.02 and Australian Standard AS4084-2012. You can view our independent test reports on our technical pages. If you are not covered by one of the above standards we invite you to contact us to discuss relevant standards in your country.
> Why do I need rack guards?
Racking systems are not designed to resist multiple impacts from forklift MHE equipment. Even low speed collisions can result in damage that place workers at serious risk. Modern racking standards and health and safety laws typically require that any racking column that is vulnerable to forklift impact should be fitted with a suitable protection device.
Most major racking standards across the world (incuding FEM 10.2.02, EN 15512-2009 Steel Static Storage Systems & AS 4084-2012 Steel Storage Racking) state that racking damage must be minimised through driver training and the use of suitable safety measures, including (at a minimum) the protection of corner uprights with protectors that have a height of at least 400mm and are capable of absorbing an impact energy of 400Nm in any direction at any height between 100mm and 400mm.
> How do Protect-it XL rack guards compare to metal guards?
Metal column guards are usually bolted into a concrete floor. When damaging impact occurs, the concrete floor is damaged as well, making replacement a costly labour exercise. With Protect-it XL rack guards there is virtually no labour cost to install or replace. Read more about plastic vs steel guards here.
> How do Protect-it XL rack guards compare to other plastic guards?
Protect-it XL rack guards are injection moulded. This allows us to use much tougher plastics that perform well in a range of environments including cold stores to -40 degrees. Our unique design used two high strength retaining clips to achieve secure installation. Our guards are easy to install and replace. They require no fiddly, flimsy straps or ties.
> Will Protect-it XL rack guards work at low temperatures?
Yes! Protect-it XL rack guards are manufactured from a special grade of ultra high impact polyethylene (HDPE) that is moisture resistant and maintains exceptional impact strength across a wide range of environments, including cold stores to -40 degrees.
> How regularly should Protect-it XL rack guards be replaced?
Protect-it XL rack guards are designed to distort to absorb impact energy. In light to medium impacts Protect-it XL will return to its original state once the load is removed and will not need to be replaced. Under higher impacts, Protect-it XL will distort more to absorb the impact energy and will likely sustain irreversible distortion. In this case the Protect-it XL guard will need to be replaced. We recommend regular inspections and immediate replacement of damaged units.
When purchasing Protect-it XL rack guards for your warehouse please consider additional maintenance stock for future replacement purposes.
> How easy is it to perform safety inspections when Protect-it XL rack guards are installed?
Protect-it XL rack guards take just seconds to release from the upright to allow safety inspectors to conduct visual inspections. Simply remove the top retaining clip and lean the guard away from the upright to allow inspection then replace the clip when done.
Protect-it Stackable rack guard FAQs
> Why choose Protect-it Stackable rack guards?
Protect-it Stackable pallet rack guards are an effective, economical solution for reducing rack damage and improving worksite safety. Here are some key reasons to choose Protect-it Stackable:
- Easy clip-on installation with no drilling or separate fasteners means that anyone can install Protect-it Stackable.
- Low purchase cost, quick installation and easy modular replacement make Protect-it Stackable a highly economical rack protection solution.
- Individual units can be stacked and configured to suit your site and are easily removed (or slid up the rack upright) for rack inspections.
- Suitable for use in cold stores down to -40°C.
- Chosen by industry leaders worldwide for over 15 years.
> How long does it take to install Protect-it Stackable rack guards?
Our upright protectors take just seconds to install by hand. Simply hook one end of the Protect-it Stackable around the rack upright then pull the other end until it clips securely into place on the other side of the rack upright.
> Are Protect-it Stackable rack guards cost effective?
A high quality rack protection solution will quickly pay for itself by minimising forklift damage and costly repairs to your racking. Protect-it Stackable provides exceptional value for money with an affordable purchase price, rapid installation and very low maintenance costs.
> Do Protect-it Stackable rack guards meet performance standards?
Protect-it Stackable rack guards pass both front and side impact tests specified in the European Codes EN 15512-2009 and FEM 10.2.02 and Australian Standard AS4084-2012. You can view our independent test reports on our technical pages. If you are not covered by one of the above standards we invite you to contact us to discuss relevant standards in your country.
> What are the benefits of using a modular rack guard?
Our modular design lets Protect-it Stackable guards adapt to meet the protection needs of your site. You can stack as many or as few Protect-it Stackable rack guards as you require, fit protection in small spaces and deal with tricky geometries. Installation is simple and requires no special tools which results in low installation costs. In the event of a serious impact, damaged Protect-it Stackable units can be replaced individually, saving you money.
> Why do I need rack guards?
Racking systems are not designed to resist multiple impacts from forklift MHE equipment. Even low speed collisions can result in damage that place workers at serious risk. Modern racking standards and health and safety laws typically require that any racking column that is vulnerable to forklift impact should be fitted with a suitable protection device.
Most major racking standards across the world (incuding FEM 10.2.02, EN 15512-2009 Steel Static Storage Systems & AS 4084-2012 Steel Storage Racking) state that racking damage must be minimised through driver training and the use of suitable safety measures, including (at a minimum) the protection of corner uprights with protectors that have a height of at least 400mm and are capable of absorbing an impact energy of 400Nm in any direction at any height between 100mm and 400mm.
> How do Protect-it Stackable rack guards compare to metal guards?
Metal column guards are usually bolted into a concrete floor. When damaging impact occurs, the concrete floor is damaged as well, making replacement a costly labour exercise. With Protect-it Stackable rack guards there is virtually no labour cost to install or replace. Read more about plastic vs steel guards here.
> How do Protect-it Stackable rack guards compare to other plastic guards?
Protect-it Stackable rack guards are injection moulded. This allows us to use much tougher plastics that perform well in a range of environments including cold stores to -40 degrees. Our unique patented modular design is easier to install and replace. Protect-it Stackable rack guards require no additional straps or ties to achieve secure installation.
> Will Protect-it Stackable rack guards work at low temperatures?
Yes! Protect-it Stackable rack guards are manufactured from a special grade of ultra high impact polyethylene (HDPE) that is moisture resistant and maintains exceptional impact strength across a wide range of environments, including cold stores to -40 degrees.
> How regularly should Protect-it Stackable rack guards be replaced?
Protect-it Stackable rack guards are designed to distort to absorb impact energy. In light to medium impacts Protect-it Stackable will return to its original state once the load is removed and will not need to be replaced. Under higher impacts, Protect-it Stackable will distort more to absorb the impact energy and will likely sustain irreversible distortion. In this case the Protect-it Stackable guard will need to be replaced. We recommend regular inspections and immediate replacement of damaged units.
When purchasing Protect-it Stackable rack guards for your warehouse please consider additional maintenance stock for future replacement purposes.
> How easy is it to perform safety inspections when Protect-it Stackable rack guards are installed?
Protect-it Stackable rack guards take just seconds to remove and re-install, allowing safety inspectors to conduct fast and effective visual inspections.
Protect-it MAXI column guard FAQs
> Why choose Protect-it MAXI column guards?
Protect-it MAXI column guards are a simple, effective and economical way to minimise damage to structural columns, walls and assets in buildings, carparks and warehouses. Here are some key reasons to choose MAXI:
- Interlocking, modular construction that adapts to suit your site.
- Easy 'wrap around' installation with no drilling, velcro or fasteners (except for wall installations).
- Low purchase cost, efficient freight and simple installation. Individual replacement of damaged modules.
- Suitable for use in cold stores down to -40°C.
- Chosen by industry leaders worldwide for over 15 years.
> How do Protect-it MAXI column guards work?
Protect-it MAXI column guards combine clever design, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and advanced thermoplastic materials to deliver a product that can absorb large impacts.
Each MAXI has an outer wall that is integrally moulded to a series of curved 'spring like' energy absorbers at the front and sides to provide two levels of protection for columns and walls. Under light to moderate impacts MAXI deforms to resist the impact before returning to its original shape. Under higher impacts MAXI deflects even more, contacting the energy absorbers and delivering increased impact absorption.
This staged response makes MAXI flexible enough to accommodate everyday knocks and bumps yet robust enough to withstand substantial forklift impacts.
> What performance testing has been done?
Protect-it MAXI column guards are designed with the same proven impact absorption technology as Protect-it rack guards. MAXI has undergone extensive Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation during the product development process. The FEA simulations found that:
- With Protect-it MAXI column guards installed on a 100UC_15* (4”) column, no column damage was evident after a 2.7 ton forklift impact at 2km/hour.
- With Protect-it MAXI column guards installed on a 200UC_59* (8”) column, no column damage was evident after a 2.7 ton forklift impact at 6km/hour.
Real world testing has also been performed in Germany (view YouTube video).
> Are Protect-it MAXI column guards cost effective?
A high quality column protection solution will quickly pay for itself by minimising forklift damage and costly repairs to columns and walls. Protect-it MAXI column guards provide exceptional value for money with an affordable purchase price, rapid installation and very low maintenance costs.
> When should I replace Protect-it MAXI?
Protect-it MAXI column guards are designed to distort to absorb impact energy. In light to medium impacts Protect-it MAXI will return to its original state once the load is removed and will not need to be replaced. Under higher impacts, Protect-it MAXI will distort more to absorb the impact energy and may fracture or distort permanently. In this case the damaged Protect-it MAXI guard module will need to be replaced.
We recommend regular inspections and immediate replacement of deformed or damaged units. When ordering MAXI guards consider ordering additional stock for replacement purposes.
> How much clearance do Protect-it MAXI column guards require?
Protect-it MAXI column guards protrude only 78mm (3.1") from the column or wall - making them a compact effective column protection solution.
> Can Protect-it MAXI column guards be used outdoors?
To maintain optimum impact performance we recommend using Protect-it MAXI column guards for indoor applications only.
> How do Protect-it MAXI column guards compare to other plastic column protectors?
Protect-it MAXI column guards are injection moulded. This allows us to use much tougher plastics that perform well in a range of environments including cold stores to -40 degrees C.
Our guards protrude just 78mm from each side of your column (preserving your valuable working space) and are designed to minimize shipping space, resulting in lower delivery costs. MAXI's unique versatile modular design offers a universal solution for almost all column and wall protection requirements.
> What about safety inspections?
Safety inspectors can conduct fast and effective visual inspections of columns by removing a single connector pin from the Protect-it MAXI column guard assembly. This enables the entire assembly to be removed and then replaced once the inspection is completed.
> Are Protect-it MAXI column guards easy to install?
The interlocking, modular assembly of Protect-it MAXI column guards creates an easy 'wrap around' installation which can be adapted to suit your site. It's a simple as arranging the MAXI guards around a column and then inserting the pin connectors.