Trent Design Group News Blog

With so many racking types and companies that supply it, making the right choice is essential. As well as issues such as cost effectiveness and efficiency, there is health and safety. This is governed by the Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association (SEMA) and British Safety Standards (BSS).

In any pallet racking installation, there are two kinds of strength. The first is the strength of the raw materials used to make the rack. There are various recommendations from SEMA for material specifications. These include hot rolled and cold formed steel sections that conform to the appropriate British Safety Standards.

The second is that of the assembled rack installation. Flexing and bending is normal in most racks, but users must be aware of the restrictions. Pallet racking that will support timber pallets may not support heavier post pallets. This is because of the beam centres. In one set of circumstances, a pair of beams could have a one-ton capacity. Under another, the same pair may only have a ¾-ton capacity. Manufacturers usually state the safe loading limits for a pair of beams.

Frames consisting of pairs of uprights braced together also have load limits. Exceeding these will endanger the stability of the pallet racking installation. Manufacturers should state frame load limits, but there are three factors to take into account:

1. Beam spacing – the further apart they are, the lower the load capacity.
2. Beam size and number of beam levels to a bay.
3. Number of bays along the length of a rack.

The first two factors determine the overall stability of the rack. There are special design rules governing the frame loads for single bay and/or single beam level racks (e.g. raised storage areas). The manufacturer should be consulted before any beams are adjusted or removed, and before physical alterations are made to uprights or bracing.

The height-to-depth ratio is important when assessing the stability of a pallet racking system. The height of a rack, for the purposes of assessing height-to-depth ratio, is the height of the topmost loaded beam. The depth is the overall depth of the rack frame. Where racks are joined together back-to-back to form double-sided racks, the depth is the overall depth of the two frames plus the space between. This is dependant on the frames being joined together with run spacers, which are not more than 2.5 metres vertically apart.

Fixing racks to the floor is vital when using forklifts in a pallet racking system. Even the best drivers bump a beam occasionally and freestanding racks topple in these circumstances. How a rack is fixed depends on the height/depth ratio. If it does not exceed 6:1, only the perimeter uprights need fixing to the floor. If it over 6:1, but below 10:1, all the uprights need fixing to the floor.

If the height/depth ratio of a pallet racking system exceeds 10:1, each frame must be restrained by connections to other substantial structures, which are capable of providing the support necessary.

Maintaining pallet racking properly is essential to keeping it safe. Abuse typically occurs where there is a high turnaround and rapid movement of goods, particularly so in wide aisle pallet racking systems that use reach and counterbalance trucks. Unit loads and pallets in poor condition are hazardous. Clean floors, skilled forklift operators and well-maintained forklifts also help keep pallet racking safe.

Qualified personnel should carry out regular inspections of pallet racking installations. Worker should report accidents immediately, in order that repair work can take place swiftly. Common hazards that require attention are:

• Mis-alignment of racks.
• Incorrect location of beam connectors.
• Loose fixings.
• Dislodgement of accessories.
• Spillage of goods.
• Greasy, slippery floors.
• Forklift truck deficiencies.

Sometimes, damage may be irreparable and a section of the racking will need replacing. Things to look out for include:

• Damage that significantly changes the original cross-sectional profile of any main load bearing member.
• Damage that significantly deforms any main load bearing member.
• Damage that weakens jointed members through weld breakages or failure of bolts.
• Damaged pallets.

Choosing the right pallet racking installation is crucial. A good racking supplier will provide professional advice and assistance. Well-built pallet racking brings enormous benefits, including a safe, efficient running working environment.

If you feel you need your Racking inspecting, or you have any other queries then please feel free to get in touch with any one of our team.

Damaged Pallet Racking

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Here is some news from our Managing Director, David Camm, who is the Chairman of the SEMA Distributor Group.

The Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) has launched a new group for distributor members, the SEMA Distributor Group (SDG).

Members of the SDG are known as SEMA Distributor Companies (SDCs) and are entitled to display the SDC logo on promotional materials and vehicles.
The group already comprises 27 members, some of whom were previously SHEDA members. Over many years, SHEDA enjoyed increasingly strong links with SEMA and both associations recognised the benefits of unity. SHEDA has now ceased to be a formal entity.

SEMA Distributor Companies will supply products that are recognised as fit for purpose and all works will be carried out by installers that can be individually certified through SEIRS. These two strengths combine to supply storage and handling solutions which can meet all legislative requirements and provide clients with confidence and value for money.

So when looking for a distributor, an end user can turn to independent companies that are members of the SDG and know that they are dealing with reputable organisations.
SEMA Distributor Companies are fully committed to best practice in Health & Safety, installing original equipment, the SEIRS training programme and the SDG Member Charter.
SDG members benefit from SEMA brand status and have a voice on SEMA Council, committees and working groups including SEIRS.

The SEMA Distributor Group has laid out rigorous criteria for membership. An SDC business must have been formally constituted as a legal company for at least two years. It must hold a main distributorship from a recognised manufacturer of storage equipment and an appropriate health and safety policy must be in place.

There is an undertaking to conform to SEMA Codes of Practice, standards and safety initiatives including SEIRS where the SDC also undertakes installation work. Where installation is carried out as part of the company’s activities there must be at least one SEIRS Supervisor on board. Permanent Installation staff must hold full SEIRS ID Cards.

Critically, SDG members must conform to a random audit. A SEMA‐appointed auditor will study a recent completion and review all documentation including quotation, design, submission, installer details, methods and sign off.
SDCs may only use the SEMA Distributor Company logo in association with new, original equipment supplied. They must demonstrate DQAS Compliance (the SEMA Distributor Quality Assurance Scheme).

Other SEMA Distributor Company benefits and entitlements include a certificate to mark their admission qualification, an SDC listing on the SEMA website, www.sema.org.uk, and generous discounts on SEMA and SEIRS training events, conferences and publications such as SEMA Codes of
Practice.

John Halliday, President of SEMA, said; ‘For over 40 years, SEMA has acted as a lead body for our industry driving safety through design and installer training. Today’s announcement strengthens the relationship between well designed storage solutions from SEMA manufacturers and the SEMA distributor companies who supply and install them. This gives clients the ability to identify storage solutions that will meet their demands and enable them to operate their storage activities with total
confidence.

David Camm, Chairman of the SEMA Distributor Group, said: ‘We now have 27 SDC members nationwide already fully approved and we anticipate that many more companies will see real value in applying for SEMA’s Distributor Group status. However, our joining criteria are strict and commitment to a random audit will be a deterrent to some. There will be continuity as practically every single former member of SHEDA has chosen to opt for a SEMA Distributor Group membership.

For further information on SEMA Distributor Company status, visit www.sema.org.uk or call 0121
601 6350.

SEMA Distributor Logo

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