Guidelines for Warehouse Shelving Installation (Selective Pallet Rack)

Hello and welcome back to our warehouse safety blog series. Today we are focusing our attention on some guidelines for installing our Ridg-U-Rak pallet rack products. As a major stocking distributor of Ridg-U-Rak Ridg-U-Tier pallet rack products we feel it is necessary to share with you some helpful guidelines when installing our Ridg-U-Rak product line. Although we always recommend our warehouse layout services, here are some hand-picked favorites from the Ridg-U-Rak guidelines for installing Ridg-U-Rak selective pallet rack.

• Do not store materials outdoors. Extensive damage may occur. The standard paint finish is not intended for outdoor storage.
• Compatibility and correctness of materials supplied by other manufacturers for use with the rack system in not the responsibility of Ridg-U-Rak.
• The rack must be installed using all components and hardware specified.
• All beams must be locked in place with beam locks or automatic locks.
• Use of racks as scaffolding, or climbing on the rack is not recommended. Persons using the rack for these purposes shall do at their own risk.
• Never install beams from both ends of the row at the same time. Always start at one end only, or from the center of a row and work both ways.
• Always engage both ends of the beam at the same time and be sure it has fully engaged the column before seating to install locking devices.
• Do not hammer on ends of beams to install and seat. If seating is difficult, get a piece of 1″ x 1″ x 1/8″ angle x 6″ long. Stand it up on top of the hook and hit downward, seating the hook.
• Normally a rawhide-faced hammer or urethane hammer may be used for installing beams.

In addition to the Ridg-U-Rak list of guidelines, we have also created some installation tips of our own. 

• Mark the beam levels on the uprights with a marker before standing them up. This will ensure you are in the correct location.
• Always use row spacers when placing pallet rack back to back.
• Use chalk lines to keep your runs of racking consistent.
• Always use lift equipment when available
• Mark your beams with capacity labels for safe loads.
• Floor anchors are always recommended.
• Change in beam elevations WILL alter capacity.

In summary, we hope that these guidelines will improve your installation experience. If you need any rack system installed professionally please call (800) 722-5908.

Contributors: Jason Kasanezky – Josh Smith