Our first question this month is to clarify if back to back racking needs to be connected with run spacers, our second this month asks is there height legislation for joining uprights together.
Back Racking and Run Spacers
Q. Could you clarify for me whether or not the back to back racking we have installed needs to be connected with run spacers, we have conflicting advice from 2 different installers and I wanted to clarify whether or not we need them? The height is 4m, the highest load will be 3m and they are in 30m runs.
A. The SEMA recommendations and the recommendations of the Manufacturer in place at the time when this racking was made was that row spacers should be fitted adjacent to bracing note points at centres not greater than 2.5m with one at the top of the rack and one at the bottom of the upright. Plainly however as row spacers cannot be fitted to single runs of racking the argument goes why should they be fitted to two single rows built in a back to back situation?
The answer to this is that the row spacer will add resilience to the structure in the event of an accident. If a front upright is damaged and becomes ineffective then some of the load will be transferred through the row spacer to the rack behind the one concerned, and if the user is lucky, a collapse will not occur that otherwise would have done.
The SEMA view is that row spacers are relatively cheap components that provide a degree of extra security for the warehouse and those working in it compared with when not present. SEMA therefore recommend that they should be fitted however will agree that structurally it is difficult to justify as if a single run will stand up then so will two single runs located adjacent to each other!
It has been argued that omitting these items is a cost saving measure as it not only saves the cost of the row spacer but also the labour cost of installing them. SEMA’s attitude however, is that discovering the value of these items only occurs when there is an accident!
Finally Health and Safety Executive publication HSG 76, Warehousing and Storage a Guide to Health and Safety, (free download from HSE web site) states “Double sided runs should be connected and spaced using suitable run spacers “Page 79 clause 634. If you are not following HSE guidelines then some good justification is required as to the ‘why’ in the event of an accident these have not been used.
Height Legislation for Joining Uprights
Q. Is there any height legislation for joining uprights together? I have been working in a warehouse that has 5m – 6m high racking legs, so would it be acceptable to cut 1m off the damaged bottom and then have a join 3m up with 2m or 3m added on?
A. While there is no legislation or rules for splice locations and the quality of end cut this needs to be none with great care.
Manufacturers of racking have specific rules designed for use with their particular uprights and splices. These rules vary from a simple requirement for the number of beam levels below the splice to quite complex rules depending on height to first beam, type of splice used, load capacity etc. It is recommended that you contact the manufacturer to clarify their specific requirements for allowable splice locations.
Remember whoever carries out such a modification becomes responsible for the structural integrity and carrying capacity of the modification.
Also of importance is the quality, location and type of the end cut used. Manufactures accurately cut the ends of the upright and use the bearing surface of the lower and upper upright to transfer the load which enables the splice to work.
Any less accurate cut or a cut not located properly will not allow the splice to perform as designed and may compromise the safety of the upright. Some manufacturers also provide factory provided extra holes at the end of the upright which are not always easy to drill in the right location when site modifications are made. This can be required at the position of both the splice and the footplate.
The responsibility, time and cost associated of this type of work often exceeds the the cost of replacing a damaged section with an undamaged one.
SEMA
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