Facility owners and employees should conduct day-to-day routine inspections of storage rack. These post-installation inspections are critical to identify damaged areas. However, regardless of the severity of damage, it’s also a good practice to engage an independent professional rack engineer to review the system.
As explained in RMI’s publication Considerations for the Planning and Use of Industrial Steel Storage Racks, the system owner should schedule professional, post-installation inspections at specific intervals. Further, they should also occur immediately after any event that increases the risk of damage to the rack—such as a forklift collision or a seismic event.
Post-Installation Inspections Look for Subtle Signs of Damage
Whether the qualified engineer is employed by the original rack system manufacturer or by an independent inspection professional, there are certain, more subtle types of damage that are less likely to be detected by a non-engineer.
For example, broken anchor bolts or loose connection points between beams and columns are not nearly as obvious as a significantly bent upright. Further, an experienced rack engineer is far more likely to identify unauthorized reconfigurations or structural modifications. These include removal of diagonal bracing or other changes that might reduce the rack’s capacity or integrity.
Additionally, a professional rack engineer can easily interpret the original design documentation to ensure the rack’s current configuration and components match. They can also perform an in-depth review and take detailed measurements as part of an unbiased evaluation.
Ultimately, regular rack inspections performed by a professional rack engineer will ensure that the system supports the operation’s ability to store and retrieve material as quickly and safely as possible. Or, put another way, a safe rack system ensures productivity and minimizes cost—and that’s a best practice every facility owner can endorse.
Learn More About Rack Inspections
Looking for more information on how to conduct rack inspections? Review Section 6.2 of RMI’s publication Considerations for the Planning and Use of Industrial Steel Storage Racks for additional details about the inspection process.
