Industrial steel storage rack owners are sometimes surprised to learn that the verification of the structure’s safety and design is governed by one or more local building codes. Different jurisdictions—such as state, county, or local municipality—often apply this permitting and inspection process to rack installed or reconfigured both in new buildings and in existing structures.
Until a building official verifies that the rack’s design documentation satisfies all code provisions, a building permit will not be issued. Likewise, an inspector won’t issue a certificate of occupancy until after a review of the completed installation. Owners who ignore such requirements—either willfully or accidentally—risk fines or prosecution if unpermitted racking is in the facility.
Building Codes and Rack Design Documentation
Rack structures fall under building codes, including the International Code Council’s International Building Code (IBC) which is utilized by many U.S. jurisdictions. That’s because a rack’s safe design, manufacture and installation depends on several building-specific factors. These include flooring, soils, anchoring, load type stored, handling equipment, and more. Geographic location and the potential for earthquakes in a region also impact rack design.
Notably, the IBC references RMI’s ANSI MH16.1: Specification for the Design, Testing and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks as the standard for safe design and installation of steel storage racks. The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code references the same specification. Among the specific areas of inspection are:
- Confirmation of proper floor to rack anchoring.
- Shop and field welding.
- Fire protection flue spacing.
- Egress distances.
How to Verify Rack Installation Complies with Building Codes
For facility owners looking to ensure their rack installation complies with building codes, RMI recommends contacting the local building and planning department prior to commissioning a rack structure. Consider building inspectors to be a partner in the construction of the installation. They are an excellent resource to leverage for gaining a better understanding of the requirements and costs. They can also share the expected timeframe for plan review, permit processing, inspections, and final project approval.
Want more insights into how building codes and permitting pertain to racking? Check out these two previous posts: “How Do Building Codes Impact Rack Design And Installation?” and “Don’t Forget To Check Permitting Requirements For Your Proposed Rack Systems.”
