Pallet racking is an expensive investment, and not something you would want to replace in a hurry. If you have initially purchased quality racking, the lifespan should be very good. There are a few things you need to look out for to keep your pallet racking in good condition and protect your investment.
Pallet racking should last many years. If you have already picked the right racking for the job, protect it well and use it as intended you shouldn’t have any major worries. The lifespan of your pallet racking will be very good providing you follow the next few points.
1. Inspection
You must have your pallet racking inspected at least once per year by an SEMA trained expert. This is a requirement, but there is no reason that you shouldn’t have inspections more often by technical staff. This will allow you to highlight any maintenance that needs to be done, and what you can do to prevent further damage.
2. Maintenance
The most common problems you can expect to find are broken bolts or welds, damage to the chipboard levels or uneven levels. Maintenance should be carried out as soon as possible to prevent any major problems and can be as simple as replacing a single bolt or level. Some maintenance may be more complex and require the entire structure to be unloaded first.
3. Protection
You can avoid some damage to your pallet racking by investing in protection. Using post protectors is one example, which protects lower sections of the frames from damage. Protection is an economic solution to damage caused by forklifts and pallet trucks.
4. Environment
Pallet racking can be bespoke and designed for almost any conditions. If you are using your racking in refrigerated stores or outside you may need specific features to prevent damage. If you have the correct racking for the environment in which you wish to store it, then it should last almost forever if you have followed all the other steps.
5. Industrial Standards
Be aware of the industrial standards that pallet racking must comply to. You should know that the standards are subject to change every few years. Make sure you know the current standards and be aware of how they might change in the future.
Featured Image: © Axisadman (Wikimedia Commons)
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