Five Cantilever Racking Health Checks

Why Should You Have a Cantilever Racking Health Check?

It is understandable that in these tough and challenging economic times, many companies have had to put off purchasing any new storage equipment for their warehouses or yards. More worryingly, however, in many cases this also applies to the ongoing maintenance of existing racks.

Undoubtedly this enters high risk territory as ignoring any damage to the main structural components of the racks in a yard or warehouse environment, which employees and customers can walk into, can expose people to potentially very serious health and safety incidents.

Therefore, we have outlined a list of “red risks” for cantilevered racking that any merchant should consider for the safety of their site: 

1. Column damage

For columns that are bent in the direction of operation, the maximum gap between the column and the straight edge should not exceed 5 mm. if so, it becomes an orange risk – which means you need to check the area daily for further signs of damage. More than 10 mm is a red risk and needs to be unloaded immediately.

2. Lateral Arm Damage

Damage to the arm in the same direction as the direction of operation usually results in damage to the post and arm. Aceally believes that lateral deformation of more than 1.25 degrees constitutes an orange risk when viewed from the front of the arm – again, this requires daily inspection. More than 2.5 degrees constitutes a red risk requiring immediate unloading.

3. Horizontal arm injury

Under normal design load conditions, arm deflection is a maximum of arm length/180 mm. Residual deflection after removal of the load should not exceed 10% of normal deflection under load. A figure greater than this constitutes an orange risk – requiring daily inspection – and twice the red risk requires immediate unloading. All arms with deflection below the horizontal line are red risk.

4. Brace damage

For bracing elements bent in any plane, the gap between the straight edge and the bracing element should not exceed 10 mm. if so, it becomes an orange risk – requiring regular inspection. More than 20 mm is a red risk requiring immediate unloading.

5. Base Damage

Damaged bases can place excessive loads on columns and support members. Rotation of the base by more than 5 degrees in the direction of operation constitutes an orange risk and requires periodic inspection. Rotation of more than 10 degrees constitutes a red risk requiring immediate unloading.

Further Reading:

Method of calculating the height to width ratio of pallet racking and cantilever racking

Nine frequently asked questions about pallet racking systems

Is a double-deep pallet rack suited for me?

Cold storage and freezer pallet racking system solutions

Settle down your storage problems with boltless racks