IRIAAll racking should have adequate load signage with information on the safe operating loads of the system fixed in a clear position.
Safe working load charts not prominently displayed on racking structures can result in serious workplace injuries and delivery of an improvement notice from Health & Safety Act authorities.
A load chart should define the loading for a racking system at a number of different levels.
These include:
The working load limit or the total working load limit per bay for the racking installation shall not be exceeded. The permissible unit load limit and permissible unit load limit per bay shall be displayed in accordance with Item (a) of Clause 1.6.1.
The racking installation shall not be altered to deviate from the load application and configuration furnished for the racking installation. Physical alterations to uprights, bracings, beams or components, such as welding on additional cleats or bearers, shall not be made. In addition, change of use, such as from timber pallets to post pallets, shall not be permitted.
When designing the racking, the nature of the load transfer between unit load (e.g. uniformly distributed action and concentrated action) and the immediate supporting elements shall be considered.
Racking installation shall have in one or more conspicuous locations, a permanent corrosion resistant plaque not less than 125 mm long and 250 mm high with minimum 25 mm lettering and shall be mechanically secured to the racking structure at 2 m above floor level. Operating instructions on the plaque shall include but not be limited to the following:
The adjustment of racking including beam levels can in some instances impact upon the load carrying capacity of a racking system. If you are not sure contact IRIA for advice.
IRIA can test all racking component and racking systems at its lab in Melbourne.
Tests include:
All equipment is purpose built and testing can range from an individual beam to an entire system for certification to AS4084 2012 and other standards upon request.
In addition to this IRIA maintains a database on a range of racking components that have been tested. This allows for clients to be comfortable that racking load charts produced by IRIA are based upon real world testing of the components that make up the system.
Contact us to see if we have test data on your brand of racking. With older, unsupported racking along with the entry of poor quality offshore racking IRIA may be able to assist. Use the contact enquiry form here to discuss supplying load charts for your racking system – any brand, all brands.
A metal manufacturer using a mixture of racking brands including an unknown brand, were required to have load charts for compliance to the AS4084 standard. Since the load data for this pallet rack system was unavailable, load testing on the pallet beams was performed at IRIA’s dedicated test facility.
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