Our first question this month asked for help with the SEMA Codes of Practice and our second is looking for help with Storage of 1000ltr IBC’s (Intermediate Bulk Containers) on Racking
SEMA Codes of Practice
Q. Our Client stores timber/timber products externally on cantilever racking systems which have been fabricated from hot rolled sections, following a ‘design’ (i.e. arrangement) similar to previously procured systems. He is now concerned as to whether they are fit for purpose and has approached us to provide structural advice. Having visited the premises, and without having undertaken an analysis, I understand his concern.
I have become aware of your Association from the HSE documentation and note that you have prepared a Code of Practice for the Design and Use of Cantilever Racking Systems, although I am not familiar with it. I would be grateful if you could advise whether you would consider this to be an appropriate reference for us, or if not suggest an alternative.
A. Looks like you have located the best design advice available for this type of storage product. Do be a little careful however as it is a product that pretty much anyone with a metal cutting saw, a drill and a welding set can produce, while safe carrying capacity information may lurk somewhere in the far yonder. There are 2 documents that you might need to obtain.
The first is the SEMA Code of Practice for the Design and Use of Cantilever Racking Systems which was originally published in 2004 but has undergone a few modifications in the light of experience since then. The second is SEMA / FEM 10.2.09 The Design of Cantilever Racking published 2015.
This second document was written by FEM (Federation European de la Manutention) of which SEMA is a member and truthfully was based substantially on the initial UK document produced by SEMA. Both documents are available from the SEMA office in West Bromwich. Asking a European Committee to adopt what a UK organisation has produced without change is asking for a lot, so the SEMA / FEM European code amounts to about 120 pages as opposed to 30 and while probably being much more correct and complex in its mathematics and its analysis methods, gives similar answers to specific design cases as the SEMA one, SEMA continues to publish its own code as a simple code for simple problems.
Storage of 1000ltr IBC’s (Intermediate Bulk Container) on Racking
Q. Hi, we currently store 1000litre IBC’s on our racking should we always use a wooden pallet between the IBC and the racking or can we place the IBC straight on to the racking?
A. Sorry, however we are not going to be very helpful here as the answer is of course that it ‘all depends,’ and your specific ‘risk assessment’ is crucial! We are always concerned with large quantities of chemicals that could spill in the event of an accident and the possible consequences of such a spillage. There are also large numbers of variant types of IBC’s. Some IBC’s are all metal while others we have seen have plastic or even wooden bases that appear to be part of the design. All of this needs a careful assessment as the slip factors between steel and wood will be different to those between steel and steel or steel and plastic.
Sorry we are unable to help more on this subject as this is getting into the realms of ‘Consultancy’ which is an area where SEMA do not as policy involve ourselves. 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
Comments are closed.