Pallet racks, as well as other storage racks such as bucket shelves, are designed to withstand the exacting conditions of industrial warehouses. Heavy duty and robust, pallet racking can hold large loads of materials and are meant to be compatible for use with forklifts and other warehousing equipment.
Though these types of shelving are durable, they are not meant to last forever. Corroded, cracked beams and nonlevel racks can affect the stability of the structure and lead to unsafe conditions. If a pallet rack shows signs of damage, there are times where it is acceptable to repair it, but there will come a time when it will have to be replaced completely.
Racking Repairs
Most companies prefer to repair their pallet over replacing them because the process can be exceedingly disruptive to their operations. Unloading inventory and installing new parts takes time and manpower, which could lead to significant delays and loss of revenue.
Custom pallet racks are also much harder to replace than standard racks because they need to be measured and manufactured first, causing further delays. While repairs are ideal for a quick fix, more extensive damage will need a complete replacement.
So when should you replace your pallet racks?
Extensive Damage
Pallet racking should be inspected fully once or twice a year to ensure that it is in working condition. If your pallet rack is corroded or otherwise has extensive damage that could jeopardise your entire operation, it is better to replace them entirely. Faulty, damaged racks could potentially collapse, which could damage your inventory and potentially injure personnel in the vicinity.
Upgrading or Moving to a New Facility
You should also replace your pallet racks when you are upgrading your operations or moving to a new facility. Switching to a different type of pallet rack, for example, could streamline your operations and improve loading times. If you are using old racks, it might be the time to switch to a newer, more efficient and cost-effective system.
When moving to a new facility, new racking could prove more cost-effective than using your current ones. You’ll want racking that more readily fits the dimensions of your new warehouse, rather than attempting to adapt your old racking systems.
Containit Solutions offers a range of shelving and storage solutions. Contact us today to learn more about pallet racking and other storage equipment. We make it easy.