Should Damaged Pallet Rack Frames and Beams be Replaced?
The Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) Specification states, “Upon any visible damage, the pertinent portions of the rack shall be unloaded immediately by the user and the damaged portion shall be adequately repaired or replaced.” The RMI further states if the damage were to re-occur, the application of the racks should be reviewed to see if modifications could be made to lessen the severity or the frequency of the damage. Forklift driver training is essential.
If we apply this to our initial scenario, the frame and beam in this section of rack should be replaced before reloading the bays. Some companies might contemplate bending the beam back to its original state and using nuts/bolts to secure the beam, but the frame and beam cannot be deemed safe unless an engineering evaluation is completed. The engineer conducting the evaluation should be from the pallet rack manufacturer or an engineer experienced in the design of storage racks.
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Sources: RMI