The first question for this month is asking for advice on what specific publication their engineers should be using, and the second looks at the recommended number of floor bolts for use with 5mt high racking.
Which Publication should I use?
Q Could you advise what publication would cover the correct installation standards for tyre and exhaust racking and what accreditation our engineers would require to carry out this work?
A Assuming that the tyre and exhaust racking is based on a pallet racking type system then the most appropriate installation document would be the SEMA Guide line No. 2 – Guide to Erection Tolerances for Static Racking. The racking should be installed to Grade I. The majority of tolerances in the guide will be determined by the accuracy of the manufactured parts however the installation plays an important part in ensuring that the rack is erected vertically within the specified tolerances.
Although there is no mandated standard for installers who erect racking systems we would recommend the SEMA SEIRS (Storage Equipment Installers Registration Scheme) which is a one day course and provides basic health and safety information and principal as applied to the installation of racking systems
Floor Bolts
Q How many floor bolts are recommended for fixing 5m high pallet racking?
A The requirements for floor fixing of pallet racking are given in clause 8 of the SEMA Code of practice for the design of static pallet racking (1980) We assume that the pallet racking is serviced by forklift truck.
In this case clause 8.3.1 requires that each upright on the perimeter of the rack should be floor fixed by a fixing capable of resisting 5kN shear and 3kN tension. The other uprights (i.e. not on the perimeter) may also need to be floor fixed and this depends upon the height to width ratio and provision of run spacers. Rules are given in clause 8.2 and define limiting H:W ratios of 6:1 and 10:1 where H is the height to the top-most beam and W is the frame width or the overall width of a double sided run provided that it meets certain conditions. Given that your racking is 5m high it is likely that it will satisfy the 6:1 limit and so it is likely that perimeter fixing only will suffice.
In the more modern revisions of this code all footplates need to be floor fixed though there is no retrospective requirement to fix older installations. In your case therefore it will depend on the date of installation!!
The number of floor fixings is at the discretion of the supplier (provided that the above rules are observed) and there will typically be only one fixing in the baseplate though some manufacturers specify two fixings. This often causes confusion as most adjustable pallet racking manufacturers provide baseplates with 2 or more fixing holes though they are not always used.
This is done for manufacturing reasons and to permit some flexibility during installation, for example where one floor fixing hits some reinforcing bar in the floor then the other hole can be used.
SEMA Annual Safety Conference 2014 – a date for your diary
The 2014 SEMA Safety Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, 6 November; the venue will be the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
For full details and a booking form contact SEMA at enquiry@sema.org.uk
SEMA Technical Enquiries
We hope you find the above articles, and those in previous editions, interesting. If you have a query send it to us by fax or email and we will do our best to have it answered by one of our technical experts.
SEMA Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection Courses
SEMA runs a one-day safety course on Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection. These courses are aimed at end users, giving an in-depth look at the need for inspections, how to conduct an assessment and what actions to take when this is completed. These courses are normally held at the SEMA headquarters but arrangements can be made to hold them at the delegates’ premises.
SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors Qualification
This qualification is aimed at professionals who conduct rack surveys as an integral and significant part of their duties. It involves delegates in undertaking an in-depth SEMA Course, together with an examination and practical assessment. CPD will be an important part of the qualification, demonstrating to end users that SEMA Approved Inspectors maintain a high professional standard.
SEMA Publications
SEMA has 26 publications in stock – Codes of Practice, ‘Guides’ and European documents – all of which are available from our Offices. For further information on these documents contact SEMA or visit our website, www.sema.org.uk. and click on ‘Codes of Practice’.
SEMA USERS Club
SEMA runs a USERS Club designed to be of benefit to purchasers and users of storage equipment. Members receive newsletters, access to specialised events and discounted rates on publications and codes of practice.
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