Pallet Rack Install Guide

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Pallet Rack Install Guide
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• Completing a successful pallet rack install in a
  warehouse and
• materials handling environment takes detailed
  planning and site
• preparation. This article outlines the most
  critical aspects specifying
• and assembling standard industrial pallet racks
  in an enclosed
• warehouse environment.

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• Licensed Contractor and Factory Trained
  Installers
• Whether purchasing a new or used warehouse
  storage system, always
• contract with experienced factory trained
  personnel to install the racking.
• Enlist the resources of the product manufacturers
  to provide guidance on
• design, layout and specifications. Ask that a
  copy of their certification
• documents be included in the proposal.
• Pre-existing Foundations
• Special care must be taken when inspecting
  warehouse floors prior to
• signing a contract. Older structures may not meet
  federal, state and local
• building floor loading codes. In addition, it is
  not uncommon to have other
• "surprises" hidden beneath the floor, sub-floor
  and foundation such as
• drainage pipes, utility conduit and missing
  rebar. Existing structures may be
• subject to retrofit or found to be unsuitable to
  withstand the load of fully
• utilized pallet racking and the warehouse traffic
  pattern associated with the
• layout.

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• Seismic Zones
• Ensure the proposal takes into account the
  seismic zone and configures the pallet rack
• install in such a way as to account for ground
  movement, shear and soil failure. Pallet
• racking manufacturers should provide destructive
  testing results with the proposal as
• well as certification from a third party
  structural engineer. Vertical beam spacing per
• upright may be reduced in some areas of the
  install to emulate a shear wall.
• Floor Loading
• Maximum floor loading capabilities vary by
  manufacturer. Expect some proposals to
• include add-ons to account for reinforcement
  require to meet your storage load and
• disperse the floor loading with anchor pads and
  control lateral movement with anchor
• rack uprights, anchor bolts and rigid wall
  spacers.
• Progress Reports
• Insist on weekly progress reports, including
  walk-through. Encourage end-users to
• participate in the walk-through.

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•  Site Inspections
• Document the goals of the site inspection and
  stick to them. Create a
• punch list for items that must be corrected and
  obtain sign-off from
• the installation supervisor.
• Pallet Rack Maintenance Agreement
• Although there is little maintenance required,
  consider
• purchasing a 1-2 year maintenance contract.
  Maintenance will
• include an inspection of the structural integrity
  of the storage
• system, including it's key components and
  accessories - clips,
• beam ties, etc. Anticipate minor updates required
  to meet new
• code requirements.