Why do we protect the racks?
As our kids ride their bikes, we protect them with helmets. When we buy a new phone, we put a protective case on it to protect it. We even put wax on our vehicles to protect the paint job on them.
It costs us a lot of time and money every day to protect our investments. So why not do the same for items that may not get as much attention, such as pallet racking or warehouse supply chain items? They are still investments, they still cost money, and we should treat them with care.
The fact is that it is wise to protect your pallet racking and similar items. In fact, pallet racking can cost upwards of $300 per pallet location, and can add up as you configure your entire warehouse. So, why leave it exposed and unprotected from the inevitable accidents? Yes, “inevitable” is the key word here.
Critical areas that need protection.
A variety of ways your pallet racking can (and will) be damaged in the workplace. One of the most common is a forklift accident. Forklifts cause a lot of damage to pallet racking by backing into the racking, hitting the racking with forks, hitting the racking with pallets, and a variety of other ways. Once a rack is damaged (bent or otherwise damaged), it can become a serious problem for everyone, including employees.
Pallet racking can carry a lot of weight, and you don’t want that weight hovering over the heads of equipment and employees and uncertainty about the structural integrity of the racking. As I said before, racking and equipment isn’t cheap, and neither is a warehouse disaster!
Having said that, some areas are more susceptible to damage than others. For example, the first 48 inches from the floor of the support columns; the first 12 inches to 24 inches of the columns in each compartment; and finally the end of the aisle. These are the areas that get pounded a lot (pounded is an accurate word!)
Types of rack protection
End of Aisle Protectors or EAPs are used to protect the end of the aisle from any ground equipment. Pallet jacks and forklift turning, etc.
Deflectors are by far the most versatile protection option available. Deflectors can be installed on any part of the rack to deflect objects that may come in contact with the rack, such as the pallet itself or forks on a forklift.
Post protectors, V-nose protectors and steel guide angles are all forms of in-floor, in-aisle protection. Post protectors will protect the bottom of the support column from the floor to approximately 24″. v-nose protectors do the same thing, but they protrude approximately 2″-3″ from the column and can withstand greater direct impact due to their “V” shape. v-nose protectors only extend upward approximately 4″-6″. Finally, the steel guide angles run the entire length of the aisle, protecting everything in the aisle from the floor to approximately 6″ high. They are used to deflect any equipment or objects that stray from the aisle.
Dimensions and responsibilities
Regardless of the size of your shelving, the protective area is usually the same, so most warehouse shelving protectors come in standard sizes. While these standard sizes primarily fit most shelving due to industry standards, sometimes odd sizes, locations and shapes just don’t seem to fit. This is where custom sizing and manufacturing comes into play.
As mentioned earlier different situations require different advantages. Thickness is a key part of choosing protection. You need to make sure your protective gear is strong enough to withstand the impacts it is designed to withstand. Always be aware of the thickness material you order.
Take action to protect!
The bottom line is that if you are going to have a fully functional supply chain operation that will stand the test of time, you will need to take some precautions. Spending the extra money on protection will save you more money in the long run. Rack protection is easy to use and inexpensive, so do yourself a favor and protect your investment!
Further Reading:
Cold storage pallet racking structural steel and rolled steel
Daily maintenance of pallet racking
Advantages of mobile shelving in auto parts storage
Selecting the best industrial flooring for warehouse mezzanines
Optimize your warehouse layout with tire racks
Post time: Feb-08-2022