How Do Building Codes Affect Pallet Rack Design? | Apex Safety Spotlight
Breaking Down Building Codes to Build Up Safe Pallet-racking
Drilling your last bolt or anchoring your last rack guard does not signal the end of your pallet rack installation. The approval from the state and or local building inspector does. It’s an important distinction that your team needs to understand before signing off on a new pallet rack design and beginning a build.
It makes intuitive sense that building codes direct such structures as rack-supported buildings, but in fact, most municipalities regard pallet racking systems taller than eight feet as part of the structure vs. pieces of equipment. As such, they are subject to the building requirements of that state, county, and city.
As part of the structure, your pallet rack design is reviewed for fundamental safety concerns.
The building official will —
- Review LARC (load application & rack configuration) drawings
- Confirm proper flue spaces
- Ensure open access to doors or means of egress (no dead-end aisles)
- Verify that aisles are unrestricted
- Review slab data
- Check fire suppression is approved by a qualified professional
Factoring in Building Specifics for Safe Design & Installation
While there is no uniform set of codes for the U.S., most states and municipalities follow a model code established by the International Code Council’s International Building Code (IBC). Starting with the IBC model, states and local authorities can tailor their code to meet the unique needs of that area. For example, some areas require seismic considerations for anything weight-bearing or bolted to the floor, including your rack system. Additionally, you may find variations in the detail necessary for column and post attachments, anchoring, and a variety of other specifications.
Building codes set minimum requirements for how structural systems, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), natural gas systems, and other aspects of residential and commercial buildings should be designed and constructed. As adopted laws, they are enforceable.
The IBC addresses means of egress, stability, sanitation, adequate light and ventilation, energy conservation, and safety to life and property from fire, explosion, and other hazards. Steel pallet racking falls under the purview of the IBC because the racking is only as safe as the building it is housed in. Factors such as flooring, anchoring, load type, soil classification, seismic concerns, etc., directly impact rack stability.
The IBC relies on the Rack Manufacturer Institute (RMI) standards for steel pallet rack design and installation. Thus, when blended into the state and local building codes, rack engineers and designers should have a reliable template to create and build pallet racking systems. IBC guidelines are updated every three years.
Warehouse Safety Doesn’t End with Building Inspector Sign off
Once your pallet rack system is up and loaded and your operation is in full swing, the clock starts ticking for your first and subsequent rack inspections. Based on your activity level, you may require monthly or quarterly inspections. At least an annual pallet rack inspection should be completed. Let the Rack Repair App give you a hand.
The Apex Rack Repair App is a free tool you can easily download to a smartphone or tablet to guide you through a pallet rack inspection. The App is preloaded with system options and specs so you can point and click to record damage and upload photos to complete your assessment. Then, you just upload your findings to the Apex PROs, and we’ll evaluate it all and let you know if any damage is severe enough to require repair. If so, we will provide an independent repair solution to speed up the process.
The Rack Repair App is also handy to immediately assess rack damage… and help you save time and money:
- Custom repair vs. system replacement
- Maximize available capacity
- Expand the lifespan of your rack
- Improve warehouse safety
Contact the Apex PROs if you’d rather leave pallet rack inspection to the professionals. Call today for more information or to schedule an on-site inspection.
Pallet Rack Design Through Installation & Beyond
The Apex team is a full-service warehousing solutions partner. We provide custom warehouse and systems design, automation solutions, installation, pallet rack inspections, custom repairs, equipment, and more. Our team works seamlessly across disciplines to streamline your project development and ensure your complete satisfaction.
Contact our team today to discuss your warehouse needs.
For more information on pallet rack installation, check out our related blogs.
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