Having walkways through racking - means of fire escape

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Having walkways through racking - means of fire escape

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R@chi1952		#1 Posted : 07 December 2020 14:58:50(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Hello again, I have a new issue of which i could use some advice :) i'm fairly new to warehousing safety. We have racking installed in a warehouse, with a 1 wide walkway between racking end and building wall which allows access to a fire escape door. Spare racking uprights (10750mm x 1100mm) are being stored on their sides in this access which is blocking the access to the exit. When this was raised as a Fire safety issue, the manager has suggested staff can walk through the last section of the racking isle as a means of access to the fire exit in an emergency. I advised that it wasn't a safe option and suggested they re-locate the spare racking beams to another area, but he say's it's not practicle as they're so tall and could bend or topple if moved. My opinion is it's not safe to ever walk through racking, due to the risk of pallets or product falling if rack was knocked or bumped, let alone rack collapse. Am I wrong? Is there any written guidance on this - i've looked on HSE site and also my well thumbed HSG76 which i normally turn to, but can't see "walking through racking" anywhere. Would appreciate some thoughts and guidance from others.


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Mark-W		#2 Posted : 07 December 2020 15:10:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		How bizarre, I was watchiing a youtube video the other day, company called PowerfeulUK. They do all sorts of spare parts for Landrovers and other vehicles. Anyway, they did a workshop tour to show the customers what the factory looked like. And in the main warehouse they had their walkway through racking. Had it set up, and looks like they removed a set of shelves to make the walkthrough. Id never seen it done like that before but I'd assume if their H&S person was happy for him to do it that way in the first place and secondly video it and put it on the interweb https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnodb2swjGA

1 user thanked Mark-W for this useful post.		R@chi1952 on 07/12/2020(UTC)
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craigroberts76		#3 Posted : 07 December 2020 15:11:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		without seeing the area its hard to say, but assuming the corridor is wide enough to take enough staff through without bottle necks then it should be ok to us. There should be no risk of things falling from the racking regardless of if its a fire or not

1 user thanked craigroberts76 for this useful post.		R@chi1952 on 07/12/2020(UTC)
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Kate		#4 Posted : 07 December 2020 16:52:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		Every warehouse I've been in, walking between racks (which is what I think you are talking about it) has been permitted, indeed has been unavoidable as pedestrian access to the stuff on the racks has been needed. Only risk which was recognised with this was collision with a forklift truck. Of course your warehouse may be different.

1 user thanked Kate for this useful post.		R@chi1952 on 10/12/2020(UTC)
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Wailes900134		#5 Posted : 07 December 2020 22:22:44(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		I believe the purpose of the 1m perimeter walkway is so that in the event of rapid smoke build up or loss of light you can locate a wall and make your way along it until you find an exit. As the point is to be able to do it when deprived of vision it should always be free from obstacles and trip hazards.

1 user thanked Wailes900134 for this useful post.		R@chi1952 on 10/12/2020(UTC)
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stevedm		#6 Posted : 09 December 2020 07:27:38(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user		...walking through the racking is possible...however the point to make to the manager is ...if that isn't a designated exit route it won't be signed and communicated and part of the escape plan..therefore breaking the requirements...issue a NCR for thier action. The width and height requirements need to be followed. Having tried it myself it is quiet easy to get lost in a large warehouse and come to a dead end...

1 user thanked stevedm for this useful post.		R@chi1952 on 10/12/2020(UTC)
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R@chi1952		#7 Posted : 10 December 2020 10:48:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user		Thanks all for your comments and advice. They have now agreed persons walkng through racking its self is not a viable and safe option and the spares will be re-located. So, a happy ending :) Take care all :)

4 users thanked R@chi1952 for this useful post.		Kate on 10/12/2020(UTC), stevedm on 10/12/2020(UTC), peter gotch on 10/12/2020(UTC), Wailes900134 on 10/12/2020(UTC)
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