What Principles Should Be Followed When Using Storage Racks?

Warehouse racking is typically a one-time investment, usually with a lifespan of at least 15 years. However, proper maintenance and care are essential to achieve the true lifespan of the racking. In terms of maintenance and usage, it is recommended to follow the three musts, three don'ts, and one regulation principle summarized by Wuhan Ningde Storage Equipment Co., Ltd.

Three Principles:

Prioritize lightness over weight; adhere to the principle of bottom-heavy and top-light storage shelves, meaning placing heavy items at the bottom and light items at the top to prevent top-heavy conditions and ensure stability.

Handle with care: Always be gentle when placing goods, as it ensures both the stability and safety of the shelves and prevents damage to the products.

3. To prevent moisture and rain damage, although the shelves' columns and beams are all metal products with baked enamel surfaces, prolonged exposure to moisture and sunlight can lead to rust over time, thus affecting their lifespan. The shelf panels are mostly wooden, and those near the windows are prone to rain. After being rained on, the wooden panels may warp and lift.

Three Don'ts Principle:

Do not exceed the weight limit; there should be at least 100MM of space between the goods and the shelves in the storage racks. Racks of different specifications are all designed for weight-bearing. Therefore, the weight of the goods placed on the shelves must be within the weight-bearing capacity of the shelves. The warehouse inventory clerk should clearly mark the load-bearing limits on the shelves.

2. Do not exceed width or size limits; this refers to the cabinet size. Standard cabinet dimensions typically range from 0.8 to 1.2 meters in length and width. For example, the beam length of heavy-duty beam shelves is usually 2.5 meters, designed to accommodate two cabinets. If the cabinets used are non-standard or the loaded goods exceed 1.2 meters in size, forcing or pulling them in and out of the shelves may result in collisions with the upright posts.

3. Avoid collisions and deformation; the most vulnerable parts of storage racking are the pillars at the aisles and corners, usually deformed due to forklift collisions. Racking suppliers offer matching collision prevention posts for different racks, aisle widths, and transport equipment. Collision prevention guards should be installed at aisle locations. Installing collision prevention posts plays a crucial role in protecting the racking pillars.

One regulation:

Establish storage racking usage regulations. Different warehouses and different goods require distinct usage methods. Warehouse managers must formulate racking usage regulations, ensuring that all racking users learn and adhere to them, in order to guarantee the safe operation and longevity of the racking.