RMI – The Guiding Force Behind Rack Design & Safety
Who or What is RMI?
Have you heard about RMI or the Rack Manufacturer’s Institute? Let’s assume that’s a yes if you are involved in pallet rack manufacturing, design, installation, inspections, or repairs. However, that phrase may be unfamiliar if you are a warehouse manager, employee, or equipment operator. Either way, it may surprise you to learn how much the RMI is integrated into the pallet rack industry and its significant role in ensuring the safety of your industrial operation.
The History of RMI
The Rack Manufacturers Institute was founded in 1958 by a group of industry professionals and companies in the field of industrial steel storage racks and related structural systems. RMI is a non-profit organization whose membership includes representatives from the major industrial steel storage rack and decking products. Members are also part of the RMI Engineering Committee and may also sit on the boards of critical building code and fire safety organizations. The Mission –
“to promote the safe and effective use of industrial steel storage racks and related storage and handling systems.”
Considering the ubiquitous nature of pallet rack systems in warehouses and industrial facilities in the U.S. alone, the RMI mission is a lofty goal. Yet, they are very successful due in large part to the following programs.
RMI Programs
- RMI establishes the American National Standards for industrial steel storage racks and welded wire rack decking
- RMI issues R-Mark Certification to manufacturers that comply with the national standards.
- RMI develops and tests new pallet rack designs and applications –resulting in nearly all the technical advances recognized within the U.S. Codes/Standards Community and including the first seismic design parameters published in the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
- RMI publishes educational materials and actively promotes the industry, shares knowledge, and fosters networking opportunities among its members and professionals in the field. This may include sponsoring conferences, trade shows, seminars, or other events that bring together experts, manufacturers, suppliers, and users of storage rack systems.
- RMI also collects and disseminates reliable industry statistics.
Beyond the educational programs and design and testing is the R-Mark program. It is a voluntary certification program that ensures the rack system adheres to RMI Standards in its design, production, and installation, ensuring safety. The R-Mark is the ideal application of the goals of the RMI membership, and it has set a high bar for over two decades –but today, it has a new look.
New R-Mark Makes a Debut
The R-Mark program was recently revised and expanded to ensure it remains current with the changing needs of the material handling industry.
The program updates require engineering design and testing data for each separate class of product –structural and roll-formed rack members, cantilever racking, and decking. In addition, applicants must submit sample calculations in compliance with RMI standards, demonstrating an understanding of system design capabilities. Lastly, applicants must submit a thorough examination of quality assurance and quality control applicable to the product and production facility –including 3rd party providers.
The R-Mark process leaves no stone unturned in an effort to assure customers and users of storage racking and material handling accessories that they are wisely using their capital dollars.
RMI Sets the Code, Now What?
The RMI clearly plays a pivotal role in establishing, monitoring, and updating pallet rack safety standards, but they don’t just stop there. RMI provides its standards to ANSI (American National Standards Institute) for inclusion in their guidelines for conformity of manufacturing, design, installation, and repair of pallet rack systems.
Industry manufacturers look to follow the ANSI codes… as does OSHA, creating interconnectivity between these organizations. To learn more about the ANSI, OSHA, and RMI connection… take a look at our blog outlining the most recent ANSI code updates.
While it’s helpful to understand how these organizations work together to create safer pallet rack systems, it’s ok to leave the nitty-gritty details to the engineering, design, and installation experts at Apex Companies. Our team follows the latest codes and standards and works with leading systems manufacturers to ensure quality, long-lasting solutions.
Apex offers full-service support from warehouse storage systems and automation solutions to complex pick modules, warehouse layouts, mezzanines, and more. Visit our gallery pages for inspiration or just pick up the phone and give us a call for a free consultation. With Apex, one call does it all!
