When it comes to choosing the right pallet racking for your warehouse storage, there are many things that need to be considered around your site. This week we are discussing these considerations so that your business is ready for pallet racking and other warehouse storage solutions.
Fire-life-safety
Regardless of where you are in the UK, each local government has a range of codes related to fire, life and safety that influence the design of pallet racking in your area. The most important item on that list of codes is the distance you must walk to exit the building in the event of a fire (i.e. “egress” distance).
Warehouse racking or warehouse storage locations may need to be removed from the design to comply with the maximum distance away from the exits. Lights and exit signs may need to be added within the rack to ensure that the egress path is well lit. The egress path may also need to be marked clearly, perhaps with the use of reflective tape.
Seismic Classification
Each site location is classified by the government based on the potential ground motion in the event of an earthquake. No matter where you are, even if the risk of an earthquake is extremely low, all site locations have a seismic classification. Therefore, the site address is quite important.
Concrete Floor Specifications
Concrete floor specifications are put in place to ensure that the concrete slab on the grown is strong enough to support the weight of the pallet racking and the products that are to be stored within the pallet racking. Depending on the strength of the concrete, larger foot plates may be required to spread out the weight of your pallet racking.
Requirements of separation
Separation requirements involve the measure of the minimum distance between the rack and any elements of the building, particularly the building columns. This requirement can have a significant impact on the layout of your warehouse storage, particularly the quantity and width of the drive aisles.
Sprinkler Requirement
In-rack sprinklers tend to be determined by the type of product that is being stored and by the specification requirements of the insurance company. If sprinklers are needed, then additional distance between warehouse racking and special bracing may be needed to accommodate the pipes passing through the cracks.
Building Specific Elements
These elements include the sizing and types of building columns; where the roof drains are located or whether there are other obstructions on building columns; or if there is any presence of wind bracing (aka “K-bracing”).
Get in Touch with Monarch Shelving Ltd Today
If you would like to maximise your warehouse storage space using brand new or second-hand pallet racking and other warehouse storage solutions, then look no further. Get in touch with the experts at Monarch Shelving Ltd today to see what we can do to help you get the most out of your warehouse storage space.
