Industrial racking plays a key role in our warehouses and are an indispensable equipment for proper operations in our companies. For a correct and safe functioning we summarize with this post the preventive actions and the safety elements to use with industrial racking and storage systems.
Conventional storage systems for palletized goods (pallet racking or APR) is work equipment that uncorrectly used can produce damages on the own racking, on handling equipment, on stored materials and goods, and injuries to workers and persons in general. For that reason, prior to starting using this equipment, it is higly recommended that the user pays special attention to both prevention actions and safety elements aimed to reduce risks.
In general terms, the CE marking of a product (European product conformity) and in this particular case the CE marking of rack clad buildings, proves that your product had been assessed and meets EU safety, health and environmental protection requirements, according to the European Directive 93/68/EEC.
Additionally, the CE marking means a technical harmonization, removing technical barriers between countries, and permitting the free circulation of goods within the territory of the European Economic Area (EEA), where all EU (European Union) members are included plus Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway.
But not all products have to be certified with CE marking. Only those products required by the European Union, that are specified in the corresponding directive or European regulation. This CE marking requirement can be applicable on both industrial products and final consumer goods.
Industrial steel racking and shelving is an investment asset for companies, and is an essential equipmentfor performing operational and logistic tasks with productivity and safety guarantees. For proper decision making during the purchasing process of these equipment, it is important to know the basic fundamentals of storage systems and what factors must be taken into account for a correct buying decision.
The acquisition of industrial racking and storage systems are in general strategic purchases for companies. The investment amounts can be high and logistic equipment has a long life and extended duration, with a significant relevance in the operation of our warehouses and in companies in general. For those reasons, wrong decisions can have a significant impact in a negative sense, and we suggest that at least below stated points should be taken into account by any purchase department or decision maker.
As a continuation of the first part and to keep moving forward with the introduction of industrial racking systems, it is always important to be clear about some of the most important terms and definitions related to storage equipment and racking.
Person Responsible for the Storage Equipment Safety or PRSES: is the person appointment by the warehouse management with responsability for maintaining the safe operation of the warehouse storage system. The PRSES has to be informed about the identity of the suppliers, and has to be aware of the nature of operations.
Rack clad buildings are technologically advanced storage solutions that enable the storage of palletized goods on high heights (above 40 m.), serving both as storage system and as supporting building structure on which side and roof cladding are fixed.
One of the main characteristics of rack clad warehouses is that the racking makes up the resistant structure of the warehouse building. These systems are designed to support the loading units, as well as the outer cladding, wind loads, snow loads or seismic actions corresponding to the location of the warehouse.
When we talk about storage we refer to a set of processes aimed to store and preserve our stock in an optimize condition, ready to use, that span from the moment the goods are produced to the moment those goods are requested by our customers. Industrial racking provides the necessary equipment to receive, store and ship raw materials, in-process product and finished goods. Needless to say, that depending on the type of the material to be stored, the racking specification as well as the handling technology may vary.
As a preliminary step to the design of the storage system and the industrial racking, it is necessary to consider the specification of the materials to be stored, like dimensions, weight, durability or economic aspects.
Coventional pallet racking APR
The investment in storage equipment has a clear objective: the reduction of storage costs.
Bearing in mind that this working equipment is a fundamental piece in any logistics operation, it is a very appropriate question that should be formulated in relation with our warehouses. Misuse or negligence can pose high health risks on workers, and general economic risks on the company.
Many users of industrial racking would be surprised if they were told that they are making improper use of their industrial storage systems, an everyday use equipment in warehouses and logistic centers.
Industrial racking installations are, after all, static load-bearing structures that support high loads in height, and which can store a large number of tons. Its structural integrity is therefore a fundamental factor on which to pay attention.
