In some countries, pallet rack safety standards are much more rigorous and defined than in the United States. The U.S. lives in more of a gray zone, with overlap from multiple organizations and building code standards. However, safety is always a concern for warehouses or other facilities that use pallet racks, and a lack of standards hardly means a lack of accountability.
Pallet Rack Safety Standards: What You Need to Know
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Pallet Racks and Outdoor Storage
Above:Â outdoor pallet rack with wind break wall and sloped roof
Pallet racks are designed for indoor applications, where they’re safe from the rigors of cold, heat, moisture and wind. However, you will sometimes need outdoor storage. We see those frequently in retail, manufacturing and fabrication operations. Sometimes, rack storage also serves as overflow in distribution operations or warehousing. Seasonal storage is often an outdoor racking application.
For outdoor installations, rack specifications can be different from indoor applications for the exact same load profiles due to environmental factors and the punishment racks take from wind and elements. But you can use racks outdoors safely.
Tags: Space Optimization
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Pallet Rack Load Distribution Guide
Pallet racks are probably the most common warehouse storage equipment in the world, and for good reason: they’re safe, versatile and use the vertical cube of high-bay warehouses when correctly specified, loaded, unloaded and used within the rack’s tolerance. Load distribution–the way a load sits on your racks–is a critical factor for safe usage. Here’s how to get it right.
Tags: rack safety, RMI, warehouse storage, pallet racks
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Prevent Defense – Pallet Rack Protection Options from All Angles
Traffic coming and going within your facility’s pallet rack storage areas is a daily occurrence (or at least it better be!) and the higher the traffic, the better off your operations are probably doing. With tight supply chains, inventory shortages, longer lead times and limited patience from customers, movement around your rack is a constant. You can’t afford an accident. With that constant activity comes the potential for rack and inventory damage from various angles and situations. With that in mind, what are some simple ways you can protect your pallet rack?
Tags: Pallet Rack, rack safety, Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
The Process of Specifying Pallet Flow Rollers & Wheels
Above – left to right: reinforced resin wheels. split rollers, full-width rollers, steel skatewheels. Each roller type has advantages in terms of versatility and capacity, depending on your load and environment.
Pallet flow rack is one of the most space-efficient, first-in, first-out high-density pallet storage and picking systems available. Because the first pallet stored in a flow lane is always the first pallet picked at the front, you constantly rotate inventory. It’s a simple concept but the execution can be complex based on the load size, weight and other characteristics. One of the most important decisions is the type and style of roller needed.
Tags: Shoptalk
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Bowing, Leaning and Out-of-Square Pallet Racks: Causes & Solutions
Racks will often be damaged over a long lifetime of use. When you see a bent beam, out-of-square beam, damaged upright or other issues with your pallet racks, you can’t ignore it.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
How to Safely Modify Your Pallet Racks
The nature of pallet racks—adjustable beams and teardrop connections on uprights—invites reconfiguration. Many rack manufacturers’ beams easily connect to other manufacturers’ teardrop uprights, which lets you mix & match components. This versatility can invite trouble if all the factors aren’t considered. Before you adjust beams, add new loads or reconfigure your racks, consider all the factors.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Pallet Rack Clearances: Lateral, Vertical and Building Structures
One of the critical aspects of pallet rack system design, aside from the specs of the rack itself, are the various clearances between rack components, the loads and the surrounding environment. Flue space can be critical for fire safety compliance. Space between a rack row and the row behind it can contribute to a safer and more effective rack system. Narrow aisles can contribute to accidents. Too tall? You could cause damaged and falling inventory, as well as damage to fixtures or HVAC components.
At the end of the day, the space around the rack is nearly as important as the rack itself.
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Pallet Rack Safety: Preventable Risks
Pallet racks are safe and stable storage for pallets and bulk loads in warehouses, factories and other facilities, but you should be aware of the kind of dangers they pose when misapplied, modified or neglected. In any safety program, you’re always looking for risks you can prevent. What are some avoidable risks when it comes to pallet rack?
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|
Pallet Racks, Sprinkler Systems and Warehouse Fire Precautions
All warehouses have fire risks, ranging in severity. Facilities flammable loads like paper, aerosols, liquors or fiber are at higher risk than others, but any load on wood or plastic pallets can catch fire. For instance, manufacturing facilities with airborne debris are at more risk than those storing ceramics or steel components. While storage racks are not among leading causes of warehouse fires, (or even a cause, except for their loads) they can play an important part in reducing spread and damage.
Tags: Safety & Ergonomics
Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|