How to Prepare Before Buying Racking System for Your Business

Before finally purchasing a pallet racking and warehouse shelving, check out these preparations first to ensure high quality and utmost safety.

Prepare warehouse plans beforehand

So you already have a list of all the commodities you will use the pallet racking and shelves for. But do you have the final plans? These plans cover the layouts, floor plans and warehouse designs. Racking and shelving systems are industrial equipment meant to be installed, erected and inspected by warehousing specialists that have extensive experience in this business. These are not Lego blocks that can be reassembled, relocated and re-installed easily just because no prior plan is ever made.

Proper plans lead to proper pallet racking

By providing yourself with plans, you are already placing every piece on its proper place even before the material enters your warehouse.

• Layout Plan

A layout of the warehouse gives the specialist/consultant a clear view of what area to fill in and how to execute installation. Oftentimes, the types of flooring and wall are also specified in the final layout.

• Floor Plan

Floor plans cover the actual placement of the vertical racks and shelves so you and the warehouse specialist will know the amount of materials needed, the exact measurement in square meters and the order of installation and assembly for faster processing.

As much as possible, include here a rough floor sketch of the passageways (not the blueprint, for safety reasons) of the entire business establishment (should your warehouse stand alongside the main store), so the warehouse specialist can maximize the area for strategic transportation and foot mobility.

• Warehouse Design

The warehouse design includes ventilation, roofing and foundation materials, temperature control, visual preference (should you need it as commercially appealing as possible for clients and guests) and elevation. The information here give a clear picture on what material you need, what the most appropriate layout to eliminate spoilage and unwanted exposure is, and what type of racking fits the already existing design.

Commonly, the types of rack your warehouse specialist might suggest are mezz floors (for necessary elevation), selective, drive-in (for easier forklift mobility), narrow aisle (advised for light and small- to medium-sized commodities), and double deep.

By bringing these plans to the racking and shelving dealer of your choice, you can avail of their free consultation at their maximum capacity. Thus, you are minimizing risks in the process.

Know your local OSH and EHS Standards

There are international guidelines for occupational health and safety management systems (OSHMS) under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) standards that are imposed by local authorities and subsequently certified by globally recognized bodies.

These guidelines constitute the standards applied from the installation of racking and shelving systems, actual operation and manning, repair and maintenance of the storage facility down to the inspection. Some cities require business establishments to meet these standards first (through application and written plan) before a business is given permit for warehouse operation, so you better visit an authorized office before anything else.

These standards are very particular with used pallet racking. By guaranteeing compliance, you are not just following legal actions, but you are also making your business a candidate for ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and OHSAS (Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services) certifications, the highest certifications commercial and public establishments aim to achieve.

Not following these standards may put you in real trouble, even to the extent of losing your business license.