To begin this month’s column we have four questions in one relating to Guidelines, their use and there interpretation. This is followed by a question on the relevant use of tack welding and what the effect might be on the steel.
Guideline Clarification
Q1. For a supplier / installer company to certify Pallet Racking to SEMA guidelines do they need to be a SEMA Approved Installation Company?
Q2. If you have pre-existing racking (1997) as most of the warehouse is and where the original manufacturer unknown is it possible to apply SEMA guidelines and inspections to this racking i.e. by carrying out an annual inspection by a SEMA Approved Racking Inspector (SARI) is the racking in compliance with SEMA guidelines?
Q3. SEMA guidelines could be generally described as reflecting good practice but how do they fit alongside the application of the EN standards
Q4. What are the SEMA guidelines in regards to Supplier/Installer hand over documentation in relation to a turn-key installation?
A1. A supplier or installation company would be expected to have the ‘as-built’ racking checked / inspected by a ‘competent person’ prior to handing that structure over to the customer as safe to use for the purposes for which it was designed. It is normal that the ‘competent person’ would be the supervisor or manager of the installation team who would be authorised to do this kind of work by his employer. We have come across instances where the client has as part of the contract insisted that this final pre-use check should be carried out by an independent person and indeed I have done a few of these myself. However this is a client requirement and is not defined as a requirement in any of the codes to our knowledge.
An installation company might offer the fact that they are a SEMA Approved Installation Company as a way of demonstrating their competence. However there is no mandatory requirement that only such companies should be used. Similarly the requirements for a SEMA Approved Installation Company encourage that company to use SEIRS trained labour. This is good practice and tends to separates the forward thinking companies from the rest however some installation companies use SEIRS trained labour and have never bothered to become SEMA Approved Installation Companies as perhaps they feel the benefits to their business are not worth the work involved.
A2. Experienced SARIs will be able to identify most rack types even the very old ones and they usually seek assistance from other colleagues in the industry when they come across an unknown type out of professional pride if nothing else. Even if the rack type cannot be identified the SARI would carry out a regular inspection and would look specifically for damage or excessive deflections. If the rack appeared to be in distress and the maker and therefore the safe working load could not be identified then the SARI is likely to refer you at a qualified structural engineer who might be willing to calculate a safe working load for this old product however it does not come cheap.
A3. We agree that SEMA guidelines do reflect good practice and exist alongside other standards such as the European ones you mention. For the record SEMA had a large input in the creation of EN 15512, 15620 and 15635 which were based in part on previous SEMA documents
A4. In a turn-key installation it would be normal that the ‘competent person’ would check over the rack to ensure it was built to specification and would hand over any relevant documentation such as User Manuals. Again he would usually sign a completion certificate and request the client to countersign it to signify that he was happy with the information provided and had been able to ask any questions relating to use and maintenance of the structure.
Effect of tack welding racking
Q What is the effect of tack welding on racking post installation – how does it affect the steel?
A. Tack welding may have little effect on most steels. However the racking industry has in the past and even today used substantial volumes of cold reduced steel where heat input from welding operations will anneal the steel and substantially soften it. If this is a genuine tack done by a good quality operator the effect may be minimal however there is no way of proving this and most manufacturers will specifically state in their terms and conditions that welding will invalidate any guarantee on their product.
A date for your diary
The 2013 SEMA Safety Conference is on Thursday, 7 November; at the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull.
SEMA Rack Safety Awareness and Inspection Courses
SEMA runs a one-day safety course. 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.
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.
SEMA Publications
SEMA has 26 publications in stock – Codes of Practice, ‘Guides’ and European documents.
SEMA USERS Club
SEMA runs a USERS Club designed to be of benefit to purchasers and users of storage equipment.
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