Our first question this month asks about the redesign and replacement of cantilever racking and our second enquires about locking pins.
Redesign & Replace Cantilever Bracing
Q. My question is, could SEMA help in identifying any of your members who would be able/willing to help to redesign and replace the cantilever bracing at one of our depots so the column achieves its full loading capacity?
A. In terms of recommending someone to design and replace this is a problem. Manufacturers of Cantilever racking would be unlikely to wish to add their own bracing to another manufacturer’s product, as in essence they would be re-designing the complete structure and having to provide a warranty against the original suppliers manufacturing quality.
There are design consultants who would be happy to do calculations, however usually do not do fabrication and installation work. There are also a number of manufacturers and installers who would struggle with calculations for another manufacturer’s product.
We suspect you require someone who could do the whole project from design through fabrication and installation and would then give you a design warranty on carrying capacity against this new load carrying requirement. Being absolutely frank we do not think there is much chance of finding the skill set needed in a single person who would take on the design, manufacture, deliver and install of this as a complete package at a realistic price.
Locking Pins
Q. I have question regarding locking pins. Are these designed to break in the event of a pallet on the lower level being lifted too high and putting pressure on the cross member above.
A. In short, yes, they are designed as shear pins. The code of practice requires a minimum upwards shear of 0.5 Tonne though most manufacturers products perform somewhere between 0.5 and 1.0 Tonne.
Given that most trucks can exert an upwards force substantially more than this, the idea is to allow the beam to pop out if this force is applied accidentally. It is intended that the resulting accident will be limited to the collapse of a couple of pallets.
If the beam does not dislodge the result will be to destroy the upright in the vicinity of the connector which can result in a whole upright collapsing which in turn results in all the beams in that bay coming falling and rotating against the next upright down the aisle causing this to also collapse and so on. The ultimate result can be a chain reaction collapse along a full run of racking which is not at all desirable.
Hence unless absolutely necessary the manufacturer’s connector locks should be used and nut and bolt substitutions for missing connector locks are not recommended.
SEMA Annual Safety Conference 2017 – a date for your diary
The 2017 SEMA Safety Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, 2 November; the venue will be the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
SEMA Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection Courses
Aimed at end users, giving an indepth look at the need for inspections, how to conduct an assessment and what actions to take when this is completed.
SEMA Approved Rack Inspectors Qualification
Aimed at professionals who conduct rack surveys as an integral part of their duties. It involves delegates in undertaking an indepth 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 available from our Offices.
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.
SEMA
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