In any warehouse operation, efficiency is extremely important. Any changes that you can make to your facility will result in greater profits for your business. Whether it’s a new facility or an entirely new layout you are seeking, a few changes could help your business stay on track. There is one caveat you will need to be aware of before you start making your plans: taking your pallet racking down.
Today’s blog is going to explain how to take your pallet racks down correctly and offer some considerations to think about.
How to Disassemble Pallet Rack in 5 Easy Steps
We have five simple steps for disassembling your pallet racks. While these steps contain a lot of small tasks, they are fairly straightforward.
Upright frames, beams, wire decking, and baseplates are all basic components of a pallet rack.
1. Remove Your Wire Decking and Accessories
First, you will need to remove your decking and accessories by carefully removing each piece of wire decking, along with any post and column protectors and shelf dividers. The wire decking will nest nicely together if you alternate them face up and face down.
2. Take the Beams Down
After your accessories have been removed from the pallet racks, the beams (horizontal supports that keep the pallets in place) must be taken down. Remove each beam individually and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific type of rack. Depending upon the height of the uprights, it would be beneficial to leave at least one beam level installed until you are ready to take down the uprights.
3. Lower the Uprights
Remove the washer and nut from the anchors that are securing the uprights into the concrete. The anchors can either be hammered into the concrete (see step 4) or the upright needs to be lifted over the anchors. Remove the remaining beam level while securing the free-standing upright. Carefully lower the upright and lay it on its side in a safe and secure area in a manner where it will not fall over if it’s bumped.
4. Remove All Anchors
There will be numerous anchors sticking up in your facility’s concrete floor that will need to be removed. The protruding portion of the anchor will either need to be hammered down into the concrete (if, when installed, the pre-drilled hole was drilled far enough) or it should be cut and grinded down until the nub is flush with the concrete. The remaining parts of the hole must be filled with concrete or epoxy sealant to prevent further damage. Just know that the types of anchors that were used to secure the pallet racks (strike anchors or wedge anchors) will leave at least part of them embedded into the concrete even after they are “removed”. Also, make sure you repair any concrete that could be damaged as a result of their removal.
There may be some concrete damage after the pallet rack anchors are removed because they are supposed to be embedded permanently in order to withstand excessive force. Holes, cracks, and other damage can be repaired, so do not worry too much about it.
5. Bundle Your Pallet Racking Components
If you are going to sell us your pallet rack or move the pallet racking, the components need to be properly bundled and palletized. Bundle the uprights, beams, and wire decking tightly and use heavy-duty steel strapping to secure them. To prevent shifting on the truck, make sure each bundle is uniform and tight.
You should tightly bundle and secure the pallet rack beams (pictured) with heavy-duty steel strapping to prevent them from sustaining damage or shifting during transit.
Other Things to Think About
Prior to beginning the process of taking down your pallet racks, there are some factors you need to take into consideration for efficiency and safety.
Insurance and Training
You will need your employees’ assistance to disassemble your pallet racks, as it is a multi-person job. But have your employees ever been trained properly to perform this task safely, and, more importantly, are they insured to do this type of work so that everyone, including yourself, is covered if anyone becomes injured?
There are some dangers involved in dismantling warehouse racking as injuries can occur, especially if staff are not properly trained. In this case, it’s a good idea to consider having a professional racking company break down and move the racking. See our Warehouse Relocation
Higher Wages and Lost Productivity
Another issue to consider is higher costs and lost productivity. If your employees take longer than a professional would take to dismantle your racking, how much lost productivity will you lose on the floor along with any additional wages you may wind up paying?
If your employees are slower and less efficient than a professional, it would make financial sense to pay a team of experienced individuals to perform this task, as it will save you a lot of money and productivity.
Lost Parts or Pallet Rack Damage
Lost parts or damage to your pallet racking are more serious concerns because it can be expensive to replace anything. Your most valuable pieces of equipment are your pallet racks. If your staff cannot bundle uprights and beams properly, for instance, these items will become damaged in transit. Not to mention that losing parts can easily happen if your pallet rack teardown process is disorganized.
Because these costs can quickly add up, you need to make sure that your team can disassemble your pallet racks efficiently and effectively.
We Can Help
We have years of experience dismantling warehouse equipment and tearing down pallet racks. Our professionals can do this safely and efficiently so that your everyday operations can continue uninterrupted.
