Almost all warehouse operations commit to their pallet racking systems. These systems are the backbone of their entire operations – and those who pay little to no attention to their industrial storage rack’s structural health are sure to soon witness some form of disaster.
Lifecycles for Storage
Some business owners are reluctant to maintain their systems or even replace their racks when it has outlived their lifecycle or suffered some damage.
Everything has a lifecycle – and pallet racking is no exception. The recommended working lifespan for pallet racking varies depending on the manufacturer. Some of them have 20+ years whilst others have a full lifetime guarantee.
These numbers vary on how good or bad the structures have been treated over the years. The warranties also may depend on an agreement for the installer to regularly inspect the racks once a year.
Periodic scheduled maintenance and replacement of any damaged, old or at-risk components will make sure that your pallet racking stays in good working condition and provides a safe working environment for your workforce and warehouse visitors.
Considerations
Some steps can be taken to make your racking system safer and long-lasting.
This can be installing rack end protectors to ensure the ends of the racks stay in good health. The last frame of a racking system is one of the most vulnerable and most exposed to the potential impact, which makes these measures highly recommended.
Installing upright protectors in busy environments helps to reduce damage to uprights whenever an accidental collision occurs.
The biggest thing you can implement is an awareness of structural integrity issues that can be reported by staff. This can relate to impact signs such as dents and component deformations, corrosion or peeling paints and loose nuts and bolts holding up the structure.
Other things staff can take notice of are broken connections to any components and baseplates no longer fixed to the ground or anchors sheared due to impact. Having your staff knowledgeable enough to inform you of any problems or concerns and having urgent action in fixing the problem is sure to save the company money in many areas – especially towards stock and system loss on top of a halt in operations should a collapse occur.
Contact
Contact the team at Monarch Shelving for all enquiries on warehouse storage solutions, from commercial shelving to pallet racking systems and be sure that your system meets the professional standard for safety and satisfaction.
