Racking should have a SEMA board stating SWL for each bay and then overall SWL. We have some very high racking and if you loaded each bay with the stated SWL ie: 2 x 1Ton Pallets you would overload the overall SWL of the legs. How old is the racking and who installed it

Hi It seems to be two issues are raised here. 1. Check the safety notices on the rack ends add up. They should also have details of who the installer is and a unique reference. If you have doubts, then contact the installer, quoting the reference and they will be able to give you guidance. The racking ion my warehouses does not have a lower limit the higher you go. But you need to ensure that each pallet is below the single pallet weight as well as ensuring that each beam is not exceeded. Also, add up the weight to ensure you do not exceed the bay weight (all the beams between two uprights. 2. The weight your reach trucks can lift to the height of each beam. There should be a plate in the cab visible to the driver that gives you this information, then you can check the trucks are not going outside their safe limits. If in doubt, speak to your MHE supplier. You reach truck drivers should be knowledgeable about this as it is part of their training. If they are not then I would suggest yuo check out who trained them and if they are a registered/accredited trainer (check with the accrediting body!) Ian

In case you are not already aware, some very good guidance on racking and other warehousing issues can be found here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg76.htm

Pallet Racking serviced by Reach Trucks usually do not exceed 12 meters in height. A quick way to gauge an approximate height of a racking system is to count how many 'Node Points' there are in either the front OR rear post. A Node Point is wherever a bolt attaching the diagonal bracing through the upright post, this is usually 1200mm for a full gate, 600mm for a half. Is it a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Racking System? Pallet Racking Systems can be designed and specified proportionately so that the lower sections of the frames can be of a heavier gauge than sections spliced to the upper part of the frames. If the upright posts do not have proportional design, then the post in its entirety will be specified to a maximum dynamic load (all of its length can support its maximum load capacity) specified in the SWL Sign. The sign should comply with the 3 SEMA Standard requirements; 1: Warning, Mandatory, Prohibition etc 2: Details of the Supplier including Contact Details and Reference Number. 3: The Maximum Bay, Beam Level and Unit 'Pallet' Load Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL) Hypothetically, given that all the beams in a system are of the same duty, it is conceivable to have, for example, a Maximum Beam Level Capacity of 2000kg UDL. 2000kg x 5 beam levels = 10,000kg. However, if the Frames supporting the beams have a Maximum Bay SWL of 8000kg then the Bay SWL takes precedent, i.e the maximum SWL distributed over all five beam levels cannot exceed the Maximum Bay Capacity. It is critical that the positions of the first and second beam levels are not repositioned from their initial SWL Rated position (these dimensions should be found on the SWL Sign) as the positions of these beam levels have a direct affect on the Maximum Bay Load Capacity through the Centre of Gravity/Moment of Pendulum. Considering it is a new building and racking system, this information should be in your building file, at the very least this information should be displayed on or near the racking system itself. If you haven't already, take a look at the Racking Section in HSE 76; http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg76.htm Hope this helps.

Sorry Brian you need a structural engineer to inspect it and carry out some calculations. There is no way anyone can give an indication of the SWL based on your description. Beams come in all sorts of different shapes, material and sizes, then you have to consider the detailing, the SWL of the floor, the list goes on and on. Find a small local practice, it will not cost an earth.

Thanks for the quick response guys. I'll get someone in to have a look. I think most of the racking is Sperrin. Thanks again.