Rank: Forum user 
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Hi, I have a warehouse approx 700m2 in size that has racking making three aisles. The final aisle to the far right has one final fire exit. The other two aisles do not have a final fire exit at the end of the aisle. That means for the two aisles that do not have a final fire exit, at the furthest point the occupant has to travel more than 18 metres (single direction) to reach a place of safety. I want to create another direction of travel for the two aisles. This is by removing the beams on a bay to create a means of escape leading to the final fire exit. There still will be beams above, so essesntially people will walk under stored pallets on the racking.
Interested to hear the thoughts of those working in warehouse safety - is this permitted?
Thanks. SKC
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Rank: Super forum user
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Not sure from your post where you are removing the beams, but remember removing or even moving any beams will affect the load capacity of the racking system. Sadly two many people just assume that as long as they don't overload a single beam then they are OK. Have seen a few installations collapse thanks to this in my inspector days! (fortunately no serious injuries)
Generally would not recommend walk ways under racking, but at the very least get the design check out by a competent racking engineer - personally i would always go for a SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufactures Association) registered person.
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 1 user thanked HSSnail for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Putting additional final exit doors in the building is not an option? If you rely on the single door and it becomes compromised due to racking collapse one of the hindsight questions will be "did you consider additional doors?".
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Putting additional final exit doors in the building is not an option? If you rely on the single door and it becomes compromised due to racking collapse one of the hindsight questions will be "did you consider additional doors?".
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Once you make a throughway what stops it being a short cut for pedestrians stepping out in to the path of moving vehicles? We do have a situation where a final exit is reached by passing under racking but this is under the bays adjacent to the wall of the building - self closing pedestrian gates permit the FLT drivers ready egress but any pedestrian heading in the other direction must pull the gate to open it and in that action are given pause to check for vehicles. Not sure this would work for a central aisle of racking.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Once you make a throughway what stops it being a short cut for pedestrians stepping out in to the path of moving vehicles? We do have a situation where a final exit is reached by passing under racking but this is under the bays adjacent to the wall of the building - self closing pedestrian gates permit the FLT drivers ready egress but any pedestrian heading in the other direction must pull the gate to open it and in that action are given pause to check for vehicles. Not sure this would work for a central aisle of racking.
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2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
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