When you are revamping your warehouse to increase the potential efficiency and safety that it offers, you have to come to grips with how to best secure pallet racking. They require proper anchoring, an ability to stand the pressures of everyday operation and retain their health and safety standards around your workforce.
When consulting with an expert on your warehouse storage solutions, you will be presented with various ways to secure pallet racking based on your warehouse layout and functionality. The answer to which is best suited is fundamental in setting up a secure racking system.
Common Questions Answered
Bolting pallet racking to your walls is an unsafe practice, as any incident where pallet racking would fail and fall has the potential to bring that wall down with it. That would mean the structural integrity of the building would be as compromised as your industrial storage racks.
Maintaining the proper clearance between your racking and the wall is vital for safety, access, and ventilation. The recommended distance can vary depending on various factors, like the stock stored and the equipment you use in the aisles. Generally, there is a 6-inch rule for space between a wall and a pallet racking system to prevent damage and provide air circulation and fire safety measures.
Pallet Racking and Concrete
Securing pallet racking to concrete flooring is critical to ensure the safety and integrity of the system you go with. Anchor bolts achieve this as they are designed for concrete applications.
Professional installers will drill holes into the concrete to align with the racking system feet, securing them with the anchor bolts tightly so there is no movement. The manufacturer-specified anchor bolts must be used to the correct depth and torque.
The number of bolts required for securing the uprights will depend on the height and capacity of the system, as well as the type of floor and any environmental conditions that could affect the stability. Heavier duty applications or higher racking may require more bolts, but the manufacturer’s advice must be followed to allow for maximum safety.
Safe Working Practice
Ensuring your pallet racking is well-secured is not just about meeting the safety regulations – it is about keeping your warehouse operating at its maximum efficiency. Whether setting up commercial shelving or investigating the systems you already have installed, everything needs to be anchored securely with enough room around them and the right type of solution to secure them.
For more information on warehouse storage solutions, contact the team at Monarch Shelving today.