INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Automation & technology
2 . WHAT DOES THE RACKING NEED TO DO ?
There are many different types of steel pallet racking , to serve multiple functions . Therefore , it is essential to first define your purpose and pick a solution that meets your needs :
• What do you want your racking to do ?
• What type of goods will be stored ?
• How often will you need to access the goods ?
All this information and more indicate which of the , say , 43 systems available should be applied . All the answers need to be gathered and collated before any solution is proposed .
3 . WHAT IS THE FLOOR PLAN AND LAYOUT OF YOUR WAREHOUSE ?
Warehouses come in many shapes and sizes , with varying footprint . It is important to map the area , with accurate dimensions , as well as access points , doors and windows clearly marked . At this stage , it is advisable to call on the services of a warehouse solution specialist as they will be able to assess not only the best type of racking to use , but how best to fit the warehouse to maximise workflow and functionality .
4 . HOW HIGH IS YOUR WAREHOUSE ?
Don ’ t restrict yourself to looking at the floorplan but take into account the vertical space . Most warehouse solution specialists always think and work in 3D – that is , they look at both the floor plan and the height , and they then devise a racking system which makes the best use of all the space available .
In some cases , by making full use of the height of a warehouse – even up to 50m – you could double or triple your storage capacity . However , let the experts factor in other associated costs , such as a warehouse crane and lifting equipment . It is often misunderstood and should be presented as a high-level order of cost , before making the investment in a system without understanding the pros and cons of the utilisation of the height . Just never go low …
5 . WHAT ACCESS DO YOU NEED ? If you store goods that need to be accessed frequently , you must factor this in when selecting your pallet racking solution . If you need occasional access you may find a different solution suits you better than if you need frequent access . It is not uncommon in my experience , to come across businesses which struggle with their storage because they fail to take account of how frequently they need to access the stock .
6 . THINK ABOUT SAFETY In any working environment health and safety is an important consideration , and none more so than in warehousing . Warehouses can be busy and potentially dangerous places , with people , vehicles , large goods and items all being moved around simultaneously . It is important to ensure not only that the pallet racking you choose is of a high standard but that it is correctly installed . Thereafter , ensure that annual safety checks on your pallet racking are carried out , so safety standards are maintained .
It is here where expert advice can showcase the difference between relevant
and governing standards . In almost every large-scale tender , it is apparent that safety norms of these system are completely missed and misunderstood , that the EN Norms and FEM Membership are misconstrued , and that a sign-off at the end of the project does not guarantee safety or quality standards .
7 . LOOK TO THE FUTURE When selecting pallet racking , don ’ t focus only on your needs of today , but look at your future needs and your planned business development . As your business is likely to change , then you will want to invest in warehouse storage that has the versatility to grow and change .
You might want to consider ‘ versatile ’ racking , which can accommodate different sizes of product and cater for different uses . ‘ Versatile ’ does not mean standard or cheap adjustable pallet racking , it is defined as racking that is scalable to the everchanging needs of the end-users . Without this foresight , you could find yourself investing in one type of pallet racking , only to find you need to change it again in a few years ’ time . Versatility and adjustability are key .
8 . WHAT STORAGE DO YOU ALREADY HAVE ?
I have talked so far about new pallet racking but it is just as important to consider what you already have in terms of storage . You may have storage that is still fit for purpose and be able to invest in extra storage to complement it . Look , too , at what else is in your warehouse : what vehicles , such as forklifts , do you own or plan to buy ? Any racking must be able to accommodate these . You may also need to change or adjust your lighting so that it works harmoniously with your new storage .
9 . HOW HARD-WEARING SHOULD YOUR RACKING BE ?
Different warehouses have different requirements and so need different storage solutions in terms of durability . If your racking needs to withstand extremes of climate – such as sub-zero temperatures – it needs to be robust enough to cope :
• How long-lasting does the storage need to be ?
• Are you planning on keeping it for years or is its purpose more shortterm ?
• Does the racking need to be scalable or fixed ?
Your answers will dictate your choice of pallet racking .
10 . LOOKING AFTER YOUR STORAGE
Once installed , you will need to be able to maintain your storage racking . This means it is advisable to select racking where spare parts are readily available , and where there are experts on call to carry out any necessary maintenance or repairs . In other words , whoever provides your storage also needs to be able to offer excellent ongoing support and maintenance . Otherwise , again , you could end up with a poor investment . In conclusion , I hope this has answered some questions about what to consider before investing in pallet racking . If you would like more information and to talk to our expert team please get in touch with us today . CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • July / August 2023 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 11