Protecting columns in multi-storey car parks
Some structures are too large or bulky for walls alone to bear the weight of the floors above and the roof. The solution here is to use columns. They can offer extra stability by directing the load safely to the foundations. However, when you have them you need to think about their safety. It may be necessary to invest in protective products. Barrier Mart can help; we supply a range of reliable column & corner protection solutions.
Multi-storeys
In most towns and cities around the world you will find multi-storey car parks. They are an essential part of the infrastructure, providing a place for people to park their vehicles when they are going to work or enjoying some leisure. Sometimes they are above ground but in other cases they are subterranean. It all depends on how much space there is and the viability of the project. In either case though, you will probably see columns.
Multi-storey car park designers tend to favour columns for several reasons. Firstly, they are cheaper to build than full load bearing walls. Secondly, they take up less space, meaning there is more left over to accommodate vehicles. Thirdly, the column placement can suit different layout needs, giving more flexibility.
When these car parks are above ground you will often see that they are left open at the sides. Again this is a choice to reduce the cost of the build. However, it can cause some issues because it means there are no outside walls to protect against winds. Instead they can blow through whole floors. Internal walls would be a bad idea here because of the wind loading. Columns are better.
Using column & corner protection
The thing to think about in these car parks is the risk to the columns. As we said above, they are vital for the structural stability. Therefore, it is important to reduce the chance of them getting damaged. That can be tricky because cars are always coming and going here. Some parking spaces are also very close to the columns. As a result, drivers could easily misjudge and drive into them.
It may be best to use column protection here to keep drivers and the columns safe. They are made of durable, sturdy plastic. What they do is wrap around the entire column to prevent a vehicle from striking it directly. They can absorb the impact, rather than the column doing so. In addition, they also help to improve visibility.
Order today
Barrier Mart can offer column & corner protection products to suit an array of needs. We have them in a variety of sizes to suit different sizes of columns. If space is a concern there are also slimline versions. They will still provide a great level of protection but with smaller space requirements.
You can find out more about the column & corner protection on our website. If you have specific needs you can speak to us and we will suggest products that will tick the right boxes for you.