Of the many best practices to ensure the safety of industrial steel storage rack and workers around it, inspections are among the most critical. Indeed, there are several kinds of rack inspections, detailed below.

Rack Inspections Required By Building Codes

The majority of jurisdictions in the U.S. follow the International Code Council’s International Building Code (IBC) as a base code standard. These codes reference 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. Likewise, the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code references the same specification.

These codes, as well as other permitting requirements at the local or regional level, must be met when a new rack system is installed in a new or existing facility. Before granting a certificate of occupancy, a building official will inspect the installation to confirm compliance with all code provisions.

Installation Rack Inspections

Installation inspections verify that the structure’s installation matches the Load Application and Rack Configuration (LARC) drawing. A licensed, professional and qualified rack engineer, either an independent professional or one employed by the rack’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM), should perform installation inspections.

Ongoing System Inspections

It is the responsibility of the owner and/or operator of a storage rack system to ensure proper use and maintenance. To accomplish this, commit to regular, routine inspections of the racking at least once a year.

As a best practice, however, inspection frequency should correspond to the velocity of inventory throughput, volume of traffic, and degree of activity in the racking. Examined areas include the condition of the pallets and loads in the system. Also inspect anchorage, column base plates, columns, frame bracing, shelf beams and connections, wire decks and other accessories.

Handling Damaged Racking

As a part of Ongoing System Inspections, if any damage occurs (from a forklift impact or seismic event) it is the responsibility of rack owner to immediately unload the system, prevent it from being used, and properly repair or replace the affected portions of the rack before putting it back into service.

RMI’s “Guideline for the Assessment and Repair or Replacement of Damaged Rack – Version 1” outlines and defines the proper steps for conducting surveys and assessments of rack damage. It also provides guidelines for ongoing reporting of damage and repairs.

Further, retain a qualified, professional rack engineer. This professional oversees the repair process and certifies that the repaired section—as well as the entire system—complies with standards outlined in RMI’s ANSI MH16.1: Specification for the Design, Testing and Utilization of Industrial Steel Storage Racks. Additionally, depending on local building codes, a building inspector may need to review the repair as well.

Also Inspect After Rack Reconfiguration

Finally, although not a formal inspection, a licensed, professional rack design engineer should review any potential reconfiguration of a racking system. This process verifies that a proposed modification of load beam elevations or a rack structure reconfiguration will continue to support stored pallets.

The engineer will:

Looking for more information about safe practices in industrial storage rack system installation, use and repair? Check out RMI’s extensive library of guidelines and standards publications.