The installation of pallet racking is a considerable investment for any business. So it’s natural to want to know how long it will last and what the ROI on any installation will be.
The short answer is that your pallet racking should last nearly forever. But the long answer is a little more complex. There are many ifs and buts and other factors to include when working out how long your pallet racking will maintain its strength, integrity and safety. So here are 7 important issues that will impact the lifespan of your warehouse pallet racking system.
1. Manufacturing Quality
One of the most important factors which will affect the number of useful years you will get from your new pallet racking is the quality of the steel used in the manufacture. It is generally accepted and recommended by engineers that the steel used for pallet racking should have a minimum yield strength of 50,000 psi. If the tensile and yield strengths are lower than this, there is a chance that your rack could fail, especially when large or heavy items are loaded onto it.
2. Warehouse Environment
It’s important to purchase the right rack for your warehouse environment. Outdoor use or freezer use will require a very different standard of racking to more generalist uses. Select the right type of pallet racking for the job and the environment, and you will have many years of use.
3. Regular Maintenance
It is vital that your pallet racking system undergoes regular inspection. Even minor damage or slight bumps can significantly reduce your racking’s durability and longevity.
Regularly inspections the racks should be undertaken by trained staff. They should look for the following problem areas:-
- Overloading
- Damaged upright frames
- Bent or twisted bracing
- Rust and corrosion, etc.
Any issues that are identified needs to be flagged up immediately. The cost of a small replacement is nothing compared to the expense and safety implications that could come from a failure to identify a problem and a resulting collapse.
4. Correct Pallet Rack Protection
Pallet rack protection accessories, such as column protectors and end-of-aisle protectors can help minimise or eliminate damage. Using them and maintaining them will increase the life-span of your pallet rack system considerably.
5. Correct Training Procedures
Most accidents and damage to pallet racking come about due to forklift crashes. Driver training needs to be prioritised so that all drivers understand the correct safety procedures. It is important that all your forklift drivers have received the correct certification.
6. Maintain Lighting and Visibility
Good quality lighting, combined with wide-angle convex mirrors mounted on the forklift and at the ends of aisles, will give drivers better ability to see their surroundings and miss any obstacles. The better your staff can see when picking, the more safely they will perform.
7. Clear Away The Clutter
The aisles need to have ample width and be free of clutter, so the driver can safely maneuver the forklift. Stacks of pallets in the aisles are a recipe for pallet rack disaster.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
To maximise the ROI on your pallet racking investment, and to get as many safe years as you can of use, it is important to follow the right preventive maintenance, deliver the best appropriate training and follow the correct warehouse practices.
But it’s also important to buy the best quality product that’s appropriate for the environment. At Monarch Shelving, all our products are of the highest quality and we will construct a bespoke setup entirely for your particular needs.
We’re confident that our pallet racks will last for as long as you need them to, if you take the appropriate care and attention. Talk to us today about your long-lasting warehouse solution.
