Posted By Gordon Thelwell
Hello Debbie,
I'm sorry I missed your thread and perhaps by now you are looked after. But if not, and for the benefit of everyone else, please take what you will any of the following information regarding Pallet racking Safety Inspections with regards to your enquiry.
INSPECTION FREQUENCY:
The F.E.M (Federation Europeene de la Manutention - 'The Federation of European Rack Manufacturers to we mere mortals') SPECIFIER'S CODE FEM 10.2.03 Section 9.0 (this standard supersedes S.E.M.A) States:
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The operator (you) should ensure that arrangements are made for the regular inspections of the storage equipment structure for damage and other dangers.
These inspections should be:
1. on a daily basis by truck drivers and reported to management.
2. at two to four weekly intervals by a management representative responsible for site safety and a written report filed.
3. at least six monthly intervals by a user company engineer or by an external expert, depending upon the general level of damage being sustained. For some high usage situations these professional inspections should be made more frequently.
Formal procedures should be laid down:
- to carry out remedial work on any damage identified
- to isolate critical areas of a seriously damaged installation until remedial work is completed.
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Of course Debbie, this should all be taken in the context of PUWER and other RSP's.
Also, the gentleman is quite correct when he said that insurance companies would rightly negate your claim in the event of an ACC/INC if you could not demonstrate that these duties were not carried out. After all, would you pay your car insurance but then neglect to check the tyres, oil, MOT etc?
Secondly with regards to outside Pallet racking FEM Section 5.9 C (Service Temperatures) and 5.10 C (Environment) States:
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SERVICE ENVIRNOMENT:
The lowest service temperature is important to establish because of the risk that brittle fracture can increase with decreasing/fluctuating temperatures. Low temperature is especially critical in combination with electro-zinc plated treatment and hydrogen embrittlement of bolts. (There's a quote for HSP if ever I heard one!)
The variation in service temperature is important in ascertaining conditions that may lead to external and interstial condensation forming on the steelwork.
ENVIRONMENT:
Special consideration should be given to hidden metal corrosion affecting the life of such items as painted interlocking box beams when used in moist or corrosive conditions.
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In my experience as a Pallet racking Inspector, all externally used pallet racking should be of the galvanised type. Otherwise, the SWL of 'ordinary' racking used outside is non-determinable. Further, where as your usual powder coated pallet racking used in-doors can last up to 20-30 years if looked after, the same pallet racking used outside from new could only be classed as 'safe' for perhaps18 months to 3 years even without damage.
Finally, your reference to BS 5950 is most impressive. The current SEMA damage tolerance is based on this dated standard, which when first established was, I’m sure, the most up to date available.
However, the standard is based on structural members 300mm x 300mm closed box sections that are hot rolled steel. All pallet Racking in this country is thin walled, open section cold rolled steel! Two quite different beasts. Cornell University in the States, as well as The Swedish National Testing and Research Institute have brought this sector into the 21st Century and I would advise you to seek them out. (I have the full Cornell Files that I can email you if you wish) The Swedish files are available free from their website.
I have introduced this topic to the attention of SEMA, but sadly to no avail. After all, SEMA stands for the Storage Equipment MANUFACTURERS Association and introducing a risk based analysis to pallet racking would no doubt affect their bottom line.
I've gone on long enough, though I could go on....and on....and on!
I hope this helps Debbie. Please contact at anytime if you need any further specifics. This invitation is extended to all.
Keep safe.
Gordon.