A warehouse racking system can optimize warehouse workflow by enabling you to control and monitor inventory. Choosing the right system can enable you to improve the efficiency and accuracy of your warehouse production.
Warehouse racking systems eventually show signs of broken welds/loose bolts, broken anchors, or structural damage over time. An upgrade may be warranted, especially if your racking systems are old, faulty, or damaged, as they can negatively impact productivity and organization, and pose a safety risk.
In order for your warehouse to be fully operational in time for 2021, there are six warning signs you should be on the lookout for. If your pallet or warehouse racking system is showing any of these signs, you may need to upgrade to a new pallet racking system:
1. Inspection Issues
To ensure that employees and visitors are safe and to reduce legal risks, regular racking system inspections are required in all warehouse facilities. It’s recommended that you inspect them biannually for dents, deterioration, or any other signs of damage. Replacing or repairing your racking system will depend on the severity of the damage. In most cases, replacing the racks is more cost-effective than repairing them.
2. Routine Repairs
If you find yourself performing regular pallet rack repair during inspections, you might want to consider upgrading. Joints and parts can become worn and damaged due to heavy use. You should set some funds aside for a new racking system if you are constantly repairing it.
Your employees are placed at an increased risk of injury if your racks are overloaded or suffering from significant wear and tear. If the racks were designed poorly, they may be more susceptible to collapse. Repeated repairs will continue to impact a rack’s overall integrity, which could cause it to be unsafe to use.
Read more: What To Do When a Pallet Rack is Damaged
3. Deflection
Beams deflect automatically under heavy loads regardless of the amount of support you have, even when weight limits are obeyed. However, as soon as the product is moved, this should disappear. The beam is likely damaged if it is still deflected after you have removed the product.
Continuous reloading of your racking system places your employees at greater risk of being injured due to falling stock, and increases the likelihood of your racks collapsing. You will need to replace the damaged beam or buy a different kind of racking system that will support heavier loads.
4. Corrosion
Signs that the metal may be weakening include areas with rust, flaking paint, or tarnished beams. If the metal is too fragile, the frames will not be able to support the weight of your stock. In this case, replacement is your only option, because you won’t be able to fix the problem any other way.
5. Lack of Space to Expand
If your warehouse has run out of space and your current racking system won’t expand vertically, you will need to look for another type of racking system. Your outdated racks may not be able to integrate with the latest technology you have in place to expand.
6. Moving to a New Warehouse
The best time to streamline your operations and upgrade your current system is during warehouse relocation, if you have enough funds in your budget to do so. On the other hand, if your budget is tight, used warehouse racking is another excellent option. Some used racks may have more up-to-date features than your current system, and you could save a significant amount of money as opposed to buying new. A third option you could consider is to retrofit your current warehouse racking system.
