Does a Damo Guard change the load capacity of a rack?

No. The DAMO GUARD does not increase or reduce the original vertical load capacity of a pallet rack upright. It is not a structural reinforcement device and is not intended to restore or alter the rack’s engineered capacity. Instead, the DAMO GUARD is a front-post column protector explicitly designed to absorb, deflect, and redirect horizontal impact forces, helping to keep rack uprights undamaged and in service longer.

In other words, a DAMO GUARD prevents damage—it does not repair it, and it does not affect how much weight the rack can safely hold. The rack’s vertical capacity remains determined by the original upright and beam configuration, as well as the system’s engineering specifications. What the guard does is reduce the likelihood that forklift blades, outriggers, or pallets will strike and deform the bottom portion of the rack, where over 85% of rack damage occurs.

The DAMO GUARD is constructed from 3/16" structural steel, equipped with a 5/8" Hilti screw-type anchor, and features a protective bullnose. Independent impact testing has shown that it can reduce stress on a rack column by up to six times from the front and nine times from the side. This means your rack experiences significantly less damage over time and stays compliant and operational for longer, but its rated load capacity remains the same as originally engineered.

Because the DAMO GUARD is a bolt-on protection product, it can be installed in under 15 minutes and fits virtually any rack brand, including discontinued or unidentifiable systems. It ships ready to install, with all required hardware and a foam insert to keep debris out of the bullnose. Available in 24", 36", and 48" heights, the guard can also be powder-coated in custom colors or galvanized for corrosion resistance in freezers, outdoor yards, or high-humidity environments.

If an upright is already damaged, installing a guard over it is not recommended, as it may hide critical structural issues. In such cases, a DAMO PRO or DAMO FLEX engineered repair kit should be installed first to restore load capacity. Afterward, a DAMO GUARD can be added for long-term protection. 

Want guidance on choosing between protection and repair? Talk to a rack safety expert today.