7 Corners That Need Protection

7 Corners That Need ProtectionCorners are at high risk for damage from impact. Whether the result of employees or freight, corner damage slowly degrades a facility’s appearance over time, eventually creating an air of general disrepair. Unchecked damage can also compromise structural integrity, an issue that can be critical when it occurs at columns intended to bear a great deal of support and pressure. Prepare for impact by evaluating the following 7 most common areas for corner guards, and proactively invest in a safer facility.

Common Places for Corner Impact

  1. Elevator Lobbies

Elevator lobbies are among the most heavily trafficked areas of most commercial facilities, second only to entryways lobbies and reception areas. Elevator lobbies pose a unique threat to walls and corners since they are often the area in which heavy freight is loaded and unloaded from elevators. For areas where interior décor is vibrant and ornate, use invisible corner guards to provide protection without disrupting design.

  1. 90-Degree Hallway Bends

Long hallways and corridors can always benefit from wall and corner protection, especially when they are used by personnel pushing carts or wheeling dollies. And while safety bumpers are great for the length of the hallway, it’s important to remember to protect wall corners at each 90-degree turn. These areas are prone to damage by personnel and carts that round the bend without leaving enough space to complete the turn.

  1. Locker Room Entryways

Sure, fitness facility patrons are not likely to intentionally kick, scrape, or otherwise damage the entryways that lead into locker room areas. However, these entries face a very real threat of damage from the vacuums, pressure washers, and other industrial-grade equipment that are used to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in locker rooms.

  1. Food Prep Areas

Like the areas mentioned above, food prep stations and other kitchen areas have walls and corners that routinely face damage from wheeled carts. Silverware carts, mobile food prep stations, dollies, kegs, and pallets of food/cooking ingredients are wheeled through these areas on a daily basis. Employees are sometimes hurried, especially during lunch and dinner time rush, which increases the likelihood of accidentally making impact with the wall or corner.

  1. Art and Production Studios

Artists, photographers, designers, and commercial printers of all backgrounds have at least one thing in common: They all work in a studios that require a certain level of supplies for production, some of which are most feasibly transported by furniture and/or upright dollies. Corner guards are essential in studio entryways, along hallways, outside storage closets, and in other areas where supply transport and production threaten accidental damage to wall spaces.

  1. Parking Garage Columns

Most facility owners and managers neglect to consider the danger of uncovered parking columns. On the surface, it may seem unnecessary to cover concrete with anything since it is so naturally strong. However, the average vehicle weighs over 2 tons, which can significantly damage a parking column on impact. Prevent this issue and the danger that results from compromised structural integrity by using products like our Quasar® Corner Guard, specifically designed for use in parking garages and other industrial spaces.

  1. Loading Areas

Finally, install corner guards at every corner throughout heavily trafficked loading areas. These guards will keep walls looking new despite frequent bumps, scrapes, and impact from freight coming from/heading to the loading area.

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Looking for corner guards for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.

Bacteria Control in Commercial Kitchens

Prevent Bacteria in Commercial Kitchens Whether operating a commercial kitchen or other type of food processing facility, controlling bacteria is a top priority that must be address. If overlooked, bacteria can spread and cause serious illness. Customers, employees, families, and your company’s reputation are just a few of the things at risk. Using the following resources, review a few of the most commonly held best practices for bacteria control in the kitchen.

Remember: Education and awareness is key. Consider circulating this article via email or social media to ensure employees and other company stakeholders are aware of the challenges faced by commercial kitchens and food processing facilities when it comes to bacteria prevention and control.

Tips for Preventing Bacteria in the Kitchen

Below are a few of our editor’s top recommendations for preventing bacteria in the kitchen. All guests are invited to read, share, and comment using the Comments section at the bottom of this page.

Climate Control. One of the most critical elements of bacteria control involves monitoring and restricting the climate of certain areas like refrigerators, freezers, and other processing zones. Use transparent strip doors to better control air flow, temperature, and other environmental variables that might ultimately contribute to the growth and spread of bacteria.

Access Control. Changes in climate are not the only thing to monitor, however. Personnel are another critical variable that can significantly affect the cleanliness of the kitchen and/or food processing area. Control access to these areas by enlisting a small but capable personnel unit to perform specific duties within specific areas. Make sure all personnel take proper precautions, like wearing clean uniforms, sterile suits, gloves, and other protective gear when necessary.

Know Your Temperatures. Swinging temperatures are sure to spike bacteria production, even when climate and personnel are perfectly controlled. As noted by industry professionals, there are certain temperature zones in which bacteria will most quickly reproduce and spread. To learn more, visit this article by Foodservicewarehouse.com.

Prevent Cross-contamination. Once climate, access, and temperature are all controlled, the next step is to prevent accidental cross-contamination of food during preparation, processing, and/or processing. There are many ways cross-contamination can happen, each of which capable of making employees and customers very sick. Learn more revent cross-contamination

Prepare for Inspection. Finally, consider always preparing for the eventuality that a food inspector may show up to evaluate your operation. Review these tips by Food Services of America®, which extend well beyond simply keeping the kitchen areas neat and free of bacteria.

Limited Time: Save 10% on Wall and Corner Guards!

For a limited time, visitors are invited to shop wall guards, corner guards, and other products while saving 10% on all orders over $250. We are pleased to represent the industry’s finest products, delivering to customers at unbeatable prices. For promotion information and order assistance, visitors may call customer service at toll free 1-800-342-0424.

Limited Time: Save 10% Off Orders Over $250

This fall, purchase industry leading facility safety products on WallAndCornerGuard.com and save 10% off orders over $250. This exclusive promotion extends to each of our popular product categories, including corner guards, handrails, wall guards, safety bumpers, and much more. We invite guests to browse our extensive product catalog online, and contact our product experts for complimentary consultation and sales assistance at 800-342-0424.

Our Most Popular Items

Wall Guards

Wall guards are among the most versatile of our products, available in a variety of materials capable of light to heavy wall protection. From flexible vinyl to impact resistant commercial-grade rubber, our wall guard selection offers a wide variety of products ideal for nearly any commercial application.

To shop our industry leading collection of flexible, rigid, rubber, and the wall guards, visit this page now.

Safety Bumpers

Reduce impact, absorb shock, and prevent damage where light to heavy machinery is in use. One of our most popular products is the Super D, a rubber impact bumper designed to bear the brunt of even the most extreme impacts. Also available in our Safety Bumpers category are wheel chocks, parking stops, and parking bollard covers to prevent accidents in areas where vehicles are operated.

To shop our collection of Safety Bumpers, visit this page now.

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Looking for crash rails for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.

What Are Crash Rails?

What are crash rails, exactly? If you are new to construction and facilities management, you might encounter confusion when trying to dissect the difference between crash rails, wall guards, and handrails. In truth, these product categories are very similar to one another. However, subtle differences between size, materials, and application ultimately define one from another.

3 Things to Consider When Buying Crash Rails

As the name implies, crash rails are thick protectors that extend horizontally along a wall to prevent carts, light machinery and personnel from causing damage during daily operations and maintenance. Crash rails extend outward and away from the wall, creating a buffer that stops incoming objects before the have a chance to hit and damage the surface of the wall. Crash rails are available in a few different materials, depending on a few of the following variables:

Location: Where is the crash rail located? If located in a manufacturing facility or garage, a heavy-duty steel rail is likely the best option. If used along a lightly trafficked hallway or corridor, however, a softer material like vinyl may suffice.

Protection: What is the crash rail protecting against? If the hallway is trafficked mostly by facility personnel or guests, a softer crash rail is ideal (also available with handrails for use as walking aid). If the corridor is used primarily to transport heavy loads of materials, a steel crash rail is a better option.

Aesthetics: To what degree does the crash rail have to match interior design? In some cases, crash rails may be available in up to 60 unique colors, providing enormous flexibility to color coordinate. Other crash rails, like our Wichita® Crash Rail, are available in stainless steel only.

Now, let’s explore 3 additional categories of wall protection that related to crash rails.

Wall Guards

Wall guards is a broader term used to describe a variety of different guards, railings, and bumpers that can be used to protect walls from damaging impact. In fact, a crash guard is a type of wall guard. To browse a full selection, readers are invited to visit our wall guard online store.

Handrails

It is not uncommon for handrails to be referred to as wall guards, because many handrails are built to withstand impact and protect walls. However, it’s important to note that handrails serve a very specific purpose: To assist with walking, both along flat corridors as well as up and down stairs. Handrails are most commonly available in vinyl or wood.

Hybrid Crash Rails with Handrails

For environments where both walking assistance and wall protection are high priorities, special hybrid crash rails with handrails are available to improve both safety and wall protection. Three of our most popular crash rails with handrails include:

Crash Rail Consultation

Looking for crash rails for an upcoming project or facility retrofit? Call Wall And Corner Guard for a complimentary product consultation. Our service professionals represent the business’s most experienced team, available to you at 1-800-342-0424.