Inspection of industrial storage systems
The inspection service reveals hidden dangers!
The importance of logistics in general, and the speed with which work has to be completed in a warehouse today, is so big that inspecting the condition, the perfect geometry and robustness of storage systems is not a thing that should be neglected any longer.
Permanent and systematic maintenance
Systematic maintenance of pallet racking systems is essential in keeping them safe. A pallet rack needs to be checked regularly and used carefully. Periodic inspections are better defined, and damaged components should in each case be replaced after the inspection.
Be able to demonstrate that your storage racks are correctly and regularly maintained and as such are safe, will also be of crucial importance if, in the event of a serious accident, there is an investigation into the cause. Often it is yet another handling error on an already badly maintained system that is the cause.
In addition to the responsibility for monitoring the user and the warehouse staff around him/her on a regular basis for components that are hit or for overloading of the system, it is strongly recommended that the installation should be inspected by a trained technician.
The inspection service!
- Inspection in accordance with local standards!
- In-house, qualified inspectors!
- Detailed inspection report!
The inspection is performed by a trained inspector, and takes place up to a maximum of 12 months. Following this inspection, a professional report is presented containing the description of the general condition of the installation (floor, usage, lifting device, load), and an overview of the measures to be taken, classified into risk categories depending on the severity of the damage and the urgency of the repair.
The inspector is in fact familiar with the materials, and based on a number of objective criteria stipulated by the standard, will be able to classify and evaluate certain forms of damage and deformation (protection systems, anchoring system, safety pins, yokes and beams).
Standard
In addition to imposing standards on how storage systems must be designed and calculated by the manufacturers, the same European standard, EN 15635, also clearly and explicitly defines the responsibilities that the user of the storage racks has in his/her daily use of them. As the rigidity of racks is not only an issue in terms of their design, but is to a large extent influenced by the conditions of use and the regular maintenance, these aspects are also described in detail in the standard. A regular inspection is clearly the responsibility of the user.
Many users, however, are unaware of the hidden dangers. Regular and proper checking of the racks is a must. Small defects, which are not repaired in good time, may lead to higher costs later, or serious accidents if completely neglected.
The core task of every manager is to exercise due diligence in avoiding risks and unnecessary costs.
Risks associated with storage systems
Storage systems are metal storage structures of which the dangers are often very greatly underestimated by the users.
One of the greatest risks is the structure itself collapsing. Such systems in fact tend to suffer from a problem that is two-fold:
- the structural rigidity is calculated under perfect conditions;
- the collective negligence of users.
Collective negligence of users
A pallet racking system may look strong and sturdy due to its solid appearance when loaded, however it is nothing more than a free-standing skeleton structure of which the stability is only ensured by the rigidity of the separate components, the soundness of the joints and floor anchoring system.
To ensure that the forces and loads are properly taken up and distributed, the structures must retain their almost perfect overall geometry from the moment of construction, and the components must retain their initial characteristics.
Indeed, all the racks are subject to a large number of forces on a daily basis: local impacts, shocks, vibrations by the forklift truck or by pallets, pushing and pulling forces exerted during loading, rough placement of pallets, minor collisions, etc.
For all these reasons, it would be surprising if these structures were to remain in perfect condition for long. As a result of the action of these exceptional loads they will gradually be subject to damage and deformation, will lose their geometric structure that makes them stable and so very gradually start to lose their capacity for absorption and resilience. Without really taking proper note!
