RMI’s R-Mark Certification is a voluntary program for manufacturers of industrial steel storage racks and of welded wire rack decking. Certification assures storage rack users that the rack frame, beam and decking capacities shown in a unique design’s load table were calculated in accordance with RMI’s ANSI MH16.1-2012: Specification for the Design, Testing and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks (referenced by the International Building Code (IBC) as the standard for safe design and installation of steel storage racks).

To earn an R-Mark license, two independent, USA registered professional engineers—with experience and expertise in the design and application of racking systems—conduct a rigorous analysis of a manufacturer’s design process, including testing, calculations and resulting component capacities. This review and approval procedure confirms that the calculations were performed in a manner consistent with the RMI/ANSI MH16.1-2012: Specification.

Manufacturers who meet these requirements are awarded an R-Mark Certification license, entitling them to display the R-Mark on any qualified product designed in the same manner. R-Mark certification gives users and owners of industrial steel storage rack and welded wire rack decking products the confidence that the R-Mark certified manufacturer of the rack system has the technical and manufacturing skills—as well as the ability—to produce rack that meets RMI codes and standards.

The key factor to remember is that every job site is different: Seismic codes and requirements vary, while load types and component structures can be assembled in a nearly infinite number of combinations. R-Mark certification alone is not sufficient to ensure a safe system; a rack owner must still have a qualified engineer review each application to ensure that the selected system components meet the requirements for the specific use and job site.

Although RMI member companies created the R-Mark Certification program in 1999, membership in the association is not a requirement for earning an R-Mark license.

Is your current steel storage rack or welded wire rack decking supplier an active R-Mark license holder? A complete listing of R-Mark certified companies can be found here.