Our first question this month asks about Mixing of pallet sizes and our second on Modifications on Single Bay Racking.
Mixing of Pallet Sizes
Q. Can we Mix EUR Pallets with non EUR Pallets on the same rack.
A. There is no rule which states that you cannot mix EUR Pallets with non EUR Pallets on the same rack.
However, all the pallets must be:
• Correct size and orientation to be adequately supported on the racking structure.
• Correct strength and stiffness (for some applications).
• Undamaged.
Therefore, different size pallets cannot generally be used on the same racking without additional pallet supports such as boarding between the front and rear beams. Information on clearances and frame/pallet depths can be found in the SEMA Users Code which is available as a free download from the SEMA website.
Single Bay Racking
Q. I have a query regarding modification to some pallet racking.
Our customer has asked for a double bay section of racking to be made into a single bay section the racking is currently in the middle of the warehouse.
Currently as it is a double bay it does not have any fencing to protect pedestrians.
Is the request possible to have a single bay run that’s not against a wall? Would I have to install fencing?
A. Not absolutely sure of the question here but think it is whether a single run of racking can be built in a warehouse where it is possible to access both sides of the rack.
If this is the case then unfortunately there is no clear answer as ‘it all depends’!
Plainly there is a risk that operations taking place in an aisle at one side of the rack could result in material being pushed through the rack and dropped off the back of a pallet on some unsuspecting operative on the other side who thought he / she was working in a safe area.
Suitability will depend on the type of operation in the warehouse and the risk assessment involved in that operation. If it is a busy warehouse I would expect the answer to be ‘not a good idea’ however a slow moving store with perhaps only one truck and maybe a couple of people in the store then ‘perhaps’.
I would certainly expect the possibility of rear anti-collapse mesh to be considered. This would be fitted to the back of the rack on one side or the other and is either steel mesh or polypropylene cargo net material. While it does not prevent goods falling through the back of the rack it tends to bounce goods back into the rack and prevents them spilling over the aisle where for instance order pickers might be working. If there is a need to access this rack from both sides then it gets much more complex and needs careful study of the particular requirement.
SEMA is delighted to be working with WLN on the storage Question and Answer Column which is published in WLN on a monthly basis. On the WLN website is a list of previously published columns which we hope you find useful.
Please note that SEMA Users Club members also have access to a comprehensive range of additional storage related questions and answers.
SEMA Annual Safety Conference 2018 – a date for your diary
The 2018 SEMA Safety Conference has been scheduled for Thursday, 1 November; the venue will be the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull. For full details contact 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 indepth 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.
SEMA
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