Have questions about the safe design and use of pallet rack? Wondering how to successfully integrate industrial racking with automation? Answers to both questions can be found in two separate MODEX on-floor education sessions. Participating attendees will learn about both storage rack safety and gather automation integration with racking tips at MODEX 2024.

Open to all MODEX attendees free of charge, the sessions will occur in the Knowledge Center Theaters located in Halls B and C of the exhibit floor. Presented by members of the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI), each session will cover the latest trends and developments surrounding the two topics. Attendees can also get answers to their questions in real-time.

Best Practices in Storage Rack Safety

The first seminar, “Pallet Rack Safety 101” is on Monday, March 11 from 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Eastern time in Theater F on the right-hand wall of Hall B. Attendees will learn about RMI’s design and utilization resources that help warehouse operators improve storage rack safety. These include:

• The ANSI MH16.1 Standard for Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks
• The ANSI MH16.3 Standard for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Steel Cantilevered Storage Racks
• The ANSI MH26.2 Standard for the Design, Testing, and Utilization of Industrial Storage Rack Decking
• Considerations for the Planning and Use of Industrial Steel Storage Racks
• Guideline for the Assessment and Repair or Replacement of Damaged Rack

Further, the session will highlight pallet rack design features that enhance associate safety. It will also cover the types of engineering documentation operations should keep on file. Other topics include load capacity signage, rack inspections and maintenance, safety accessories and protective guarding, and fire protection requirements.

Session presenters are:

• Marc Rousseau, Vice President of National Accounts and Strategic Partnerships at RMI member Damotech
• Donald Toohey, Director of Engineering at RMI member UNARCO Material Handling

“It’s critical to take storage rack safety seriously, as it is incumbent upon any warehouse operator to ensure the safety and well-being of associates,” noted Rousseau. “In addition to sharing a lot of safety information, we’ll also be answering questions from attendees. All RMI members are dedicated to helping facilities meet their safety compliance goals.”

Toohey added, “Existing warehouses today are constantly changing. We will look at areas that can be problematic. Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of safety in the beginning stages of warehouse design. Also, we’ll explain why it is important to maintain the load application and rack configuration (LARC) drawings.”

Learn How Automation Influences Rack Design

The second seminar, “Pallet Racking Systems and Design for an Automated Future” is on Wednesday, March 13 from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Eastern time in Theater C on the right-hand wall of Hall C.

The presentation explores how traditional pallet rack systems integrate with the increasing levels of automation deployed in warehousing. Moreover, the session will review different pallet rack and shelving system types. Attendees will also learn how operations can adapt existing and future rack installations for more effective automation deployments.

It will also review trends in the evolution of rack system design as manufacturers craft solutions that meet automation’s specific needs. Strengths, challenges, and smart design considerations that enhance storge rack safety will be covered to help attendees smoothly and efficiently introduce automation in their facilities.

Presenters include:

• Arthur Fendel, Vice President of Sales and Engineering at RMI member STOW
• Jonathan Hirst, Vice President and General Manager of RMI member North American Storage Equipment
• John Schmidt, CEO of RMI member Rack Builders

Storage Rack Safety and Automation

The trio emphasized that session attendees will gather actionable information about key features of pallet rack designed to successfully integrate with automation.

“Optimizing warehousing starts with understanding your options in managing workflow through the facility,” said Hirst. “We’ll share information to help operations, strategic planning departments, and procurement professionals make informed rack selection decisions.”

To successfully build a scalable workflow within a facility requires an understanding of the different types of racking and how they complement each other, Hirst continued. “Optimizing an operation in the current market means automation, and this session will discuss technologies that integrate with racking for pallet storage and handling.”

“There are so many different types of storage rack systems. Each one has its own advantages, disadvantages, and unique aspects,” noted Schmidt. “Selecting the wrong rack system for your specific needs can have serious financial implications. For example, simply choosing the cheapest initial cost can result in huge expenses such as operational inefficiencies, excessive repairs, and unnecessary overhead. Session participants will benefit from knowing more about how to specify the right storage system.”

“It’s also possible to integrate automation — such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) — into existing rack installations,” Fendel added. “This typically requires modifications to accommodate travel paths and separate the automation from associates. We’ll discuss some of those approaches as well.”

Experience RMI’s Educational Sessions Post-MODEX

Unable to attend the RMI sessions in person? The presentations and their accompanying audio via recordings will be online after MODEX concludes. Registration for the entire event — including all education seminars — is free.

Find Answers to Storage Rack Safety and Automation Integration Questions

Looking for answers to industrial storage rack safety or automation integration questions prior to MODEX 2024? Visit RMI’s page of frequently asked questions (FAQs). Additionally, several members will have exhibits at the show. Visit their booths for additional guidance and recommendations on storage rack safety and approaches to integrating automation.