As of 2017, the Public Storage and Warehousing industry is one that employs over 600,000 people and brings in $22 billion in revenue. And that doesn’t include the countless warehouses that belong to companies shipping their own tangible products. This means, among many other things, that there’s a massive amount of product movement within warehouses and fulfillment centers every day. Ultimately, this also spells more risk of commonplace accidents unless warehouse safety best practices are observed.

Some warehouse safety measures consume a lot of time, energy and money to implement. Others are fast, easy, and relatively cost-effective. As part of our WPRP University series, this article will cover a small but important aspect of warehouse storage that everyone in material handling or warehousing should be familiar with. It’s a topic that understandably is overlooked, but is crucial to the safety of a warehouse. We’re talking about what RMI refers to as “beam connector locking devices.” Others may simply know them as “pallet rack clips,” “beam clips,” “drop pins,” “j bolts,” or a wide variety of other names.

We’re going to cover why these small parts are a necessity and not an accessory, when they’re needed and when they’re not, and arm you with information you can use to make your customer’s or your warehouse a safer place.

Pallet Rack Beam Clips and Warehouse Safety

Let’s first take a step back. What are we referring to when we mention pallet rack safety pins? What are they, and why is there a need for them in the first place? 

For our purposes, “beam connector locking device” refers to a component that keeps pallet rack beams engaged in the upright frame column. This is a necessary feature because of the way pallet rack is designed to hold together. In most cases, pins on the connecting portion, or “ear” of the beam are inserted into slots in the upright frames. Here they’re held in place by a combination of gravity and friction from the upright frame. 

However, neither gravity nor friction are strong enough counteract the upward force of a lift truck. The hydraulic mechanisms of modern lift trucks can easily move thousands of pounds. In many cases, this means that a simple miscalculation or equipment misfire could dislodge an entire beam level and its contents, threatening the safety of any personnel in the area and likely damaging the product in the process. This is why ANSI/RMI MH 16.1 Section 5.4.2 specifies that all beams should have a locking device capable of resisting an upward force of at least 1,000 pounds.

Built In Pallet Rack Beam Safety Clips

Many manufacturers took notice of the need for locking pins over the years, and began manufacturing racking with locking pins built in. This advent removes the need for end users to purchase and install locking pins separately, as the pin locks the beam into place upon installation. Where users often run into trouble is with pallet racking that’s purchased in used condition or beams whose clips have been sheered off.

As a material handling company, we’ve heard firsthand accounts of rack accidents involving beam disengagement, and they often result in the end user rushing to find a solution that will prevent it from happening again. The solution we usually suggest is to install Universal Drop Pins on all pallet rack beams without locking pins.

The Universal Pallet Rack Drop Pin

One of the reasons we recommend using the Universal Pallet Rack Drop Pin is in its name: it fits virtually all pallet rack brands that have 3/8” aligning holes on the beam-to-frame connection. Not only does it work well for a wide variety of different brands, but it’s easy to install. As we show in our video demonstrating how to install the Universal Pallet Rack Drop Pin, it’s as easy as dropping the pin through the correct slots. 

 

Often times when tearing down pallet rack or re-slotting beams at different elevations, the safety clips are bent backwards or sheered off, unable to function properly when the beam is finally reinstalled. This is one of the most common situations in which the Universal Drop Pin comes in handy. If you’re purchasing a warehouse full of used racking and using or reselling it, why not play it safe and install drop pins on beams that have broken or missing clips?

Once in place, the drop pin will keep beams secured in the upright frame, even in the event of upward force. Drop pins are also coated in a rust and corrosion-resistant zinc plating, an important feature if the racking is exposed to the elements. 

How to Ensure Beams are Secured

It’s important to actively maintain warehouse safety, and part of that process is making sure cross beams are securely engaged in frame columns. If the beams have built in locking pins, make a note during regular rack inspections to check the safety locking pin. If it’s been removed, a replacement clip or Universal Pallet Rack Drop Pin should be installed.

When ordering used pallet racking, order enough safety pins to secure each beam. Because of their utility and the impact they have on warehouse safety, we include drop pins with every used pallet rack purchase, free of cost.

With WPRP University, our goal is to help you by getting back to the basics. We’ve found that, a lot of the time, delivering value to your customer lies in being knowledgeable about the foundational parts of warehouse storage. It’s impossible to become a true expert without first having a firm grasp of things like how to measure frame depth, calculating height-to-depth ratio, and, as we’ll cover in this article, the “when,” “how” and “why” of using pallet rack row spacers.

Even though the products, methods and ideas we discuss in WPRP University are simple and straightforward, there are often deeper reasons for using them that are worth learning about in order to better understand that product and its function.

What is a Row Spacer?

Row spacers are aptly named because their primary function is to keep a consistent horizontal distance between two rows of pallet racking. Row spacers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, depending on who the manufacturer is. At WPRP, we stock a galvanized-finish row spacer, but they can be found in orange, green, yellow, and practically any other color. The flat part in the middle of the row spacer is what is usually being referred to when referencing its length. Many row spacers have flanges that are screwed into the sides of the upright frames, and so this part of the row spacer can’t be included in the actual space between space between rows. See the image below for an example.

While pallet rack row spacers are found on the market in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, all of them share a common reason for existing: maintaining a certain amount of space between rows of pallet racking. But why would this be important to begin with? As it turns out, there are a few reasons why row spacers are more important than many of us realize.

Why would You Need Row Spacers?

Does every pallet rack application call for pallet rack row spacers? The short answer is “no.” An obvious example of an application without a need for row spacers is one with a single row of pallet rack. An job like this might require wall ties, but not row spacers, since there’s only one row to begin with. Shorter racking systems that are bolted to the floor may also not call for row spacers, since there’s less of an opportunity for the uprights to move. And although there are a lot of jobs in which row spacers would be unnecessary, there are also many warehouse storage applications out there that would benefit greatly from having them. There are a few main reasons why:

1. Row Spacers help keep longitudinal flue spaces clear.

If you or your client owns or operates a warehouse, odds are you want to be code compliant. Not only does being code compliant generally improve the overall safety of the workplace, but it’s the best way to avoid being stung by a violation fine. By keeping pallet rack rows a minimum distance apart from one another, row spacers eliminate the need to worry about longitudinal flue spaces. Note: Be sure to install row spacers that are long enough. If codes mandate 6” longitudinal flue spaces, a 6” row spacer isn’t likely to cut it, because the 3” of pallet overhang on each side will fully eclipse the 6”, leaving your flue space at roughly 0”.

2. Row spacers can effectively double the depth of the uprights.

We’ve discussed the importance of having a safe height-to-depth ratio. ANSI/RMI recommends normal anchoring for racks with a height-to-depth ratio of 6 to 1 or less. If higher than that, anchoring that resists at least 350# of force at the top level is required. However, row spacers can also be used to connect two rows of racking that would otherwise have height-to-depth ratios over 6 to 1, effectively lowering their height-to-depth ratio and stabilizing the system.

3. Row spacers keep pallet rack rows aligned.

If it’s particularly important to keep a consistent space between back-to-back rows of pallet racking in a warehouse, row spacers are often the easiest and most cost effective way of doing it. By adding one or two row spacers per upright column, it’s possible to keep both rows plumb throughout the distance of the racking system.

Where to Find Pallet Rack Row Spacers

If you find yourself or your customer in need of pallet rack row spacers, you won’t have to look far. The often-overlooked pallet rack row spacer is still an important facet of warehouses around the globe, and it’s common to find it in the inventory of material handling equipment distributors. That’s why we stock it as part of our 48 Hour Quick Ship program, and why we encourage our customers to keep row spacers in mind. You never know when your customer will need a cost effective way to meet safety codes, improve the stability of their racking, or just keep everything in line.

If you’d like to learn more about row spacers, please give us a call or send us an email and ask away.

Remember, our goal is to help you!

Wire Mesh Guarding

At WPRP, our goal is to help you by providing educational content and pallet rack products. But pallet rack isn’t all that we carry. A more accurate way of describing what we sell is solutions to warehouse storage problems. Pallet racking may be the foundation, but sometimes racking on its own doesn’t meet the full spectrum of a customer’s needs. That’s why we offer a full line of pallet rack accessories that help businesses make their warehouses safer and more productive. Often times a product that only came about as an afterthought or an add-on item on a quote can make the difference between a so-so warehouse and one that’s safe, efficient, and code compliant. That’s why we’re so excited to announce a new member of the WPRP 48 hour quick ship product family: BeastWire Mesh Guarding

Wire mesh guarding has a lot of benefits for pallet rack systems. One of the most obvious of these benefits is the additional safety. As engineering technology and strategies advance, pallet rack systems gradually get taller and taller. The higher up a load is on a rack system, the more damage it can cause when it lands. On top of that, the product itself is more likely to sustain damage on impact. A rack safety system like BeastWire helps ensure that no product leaves the racking unless the warehouse staff picks it.

 

 

Why BeastWire Mesh Guarding?

BeastWire has advantages over both safety netting and other types of steel mesh. One of these qualities is the raw strength of the product itself. Safety netting, which is commonly used on the back side of a rack system, is only made to stop small items. This means that with rack systems supporting large loads, it is only marginally effective. Over time, safety netting can also fall prey to fraying and cutting by loads with sharp edges, whereas steel mesh can withstand abuse from sharp, heavy product. The fully framed design utilized by BeastWire has been shown by independent studies to be twice as strong as unframed panels.

 

 

Aside from the quality and strength of its materials, one of the features that sets BeastWire apart is the innovative bracket design. BeastWire’s riveted bracket can save up to 90% on installation, and secures the rack system with a safety drop pin. The drop pin would be easy to overlook, but is a key safety feature. With the drop pin in place, the panel cannot be dislodged from the upright unless the safety pin is deliberately removed first. This eliminates the possibility of a panel accidentally disengaging and harming people or product.

 

 

To meet the needs of a wide variety of applications and pallet rack styles, BeastWire has four different bracket design options: fixed, adjustable, universal, and pivot. Each of these bracket designs lets the mesh panels function at their best for that particular system.

Pallet Rack Wire Backing

No matter the size of your bay, BeastWire rack safety panels can cover your needs. Panels can stack to cover the needed vertical coverage, and a single panel can span a width of 10’. For bays wider than 10’, simply join two BeastWire panels together using the 4” splice channel.

 

Wire Mesh Guarding Applications

So, how do you know when it’s a good time to use BeastWire mesh guarding on a pallet rack system? Any time wire mesh guarding can increase the safety of a warehouse is a good time to install BeastWire rack backing panels. 

Here are a few examples of common applications for BeastWire mesh guarding:

• When storing unbalanced loads that exceed 25 lbs. or objects with sharp edges
• On racking located next to pedestrian traffic lanes
• On any racking tunnels that sit above aisles with personnel traffic
• When a row of racking sits directly next to a wall, column, pipes or machinery
• In a flue space where items would become trapped if they were to fall

Questions?

Want to know more about the latest addition to our quick ship product offering? Give us a call! We have all the information you need on pricing, sizes, applications, availability and more.

Remember, our goal is to help you!

 

How ProMat Can Keep Your Company Moving Forward

From April 3 to April 6, over 850 solution providers and thousands of attendees will converge on McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America, for ProMat, the largest expo for manufacturing and supply chain professionals in North America. If you plan on being one of these attendees, you’re in for a valuable experience. Year after year, in our experience, ProMat features some of the best educational and networking opportunities available for material handling professionals. At this year’s ProMat, we think that will be truer than ever. Here’s how ProMat can keep your company moving forward in 2017 and beyond.

Keynotes

ProMat always features an incredible lineup of interesting speakers, and this year’s show is no exception. In 2015, ProMat welcomed the likes of Whole Foods CEO John Mackey and Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak. In 2017, we’ll see none other than Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Markus Lorenz, and Andrew Winston. Lorenz is a Partner and Managing Director at the Boston Consulting Group, and Winston is a sustainability expert and author of the book “Green to Gold.” We’re especially excited to hear Magic Johnson’s keynote about knowing your customer and where they’re going. Does your company know how to change and adapt with customers’ evolving wants and needs?

Coming from experience, we highly recommend attending the keynotes and discussing the takeaways with your peers while you network. Keynotes are also a great opportunity to get active on social media and get in touch with other industry professionals who are at the show. We often live tweet the keynotes and are surprised to learn how many of our colleagues are at the same talk.

Making Connections

ProMat is one of the most potent networking opportunities available to us in material handling. With as many attendees and vendors as there are at ProMat, it’s hard not to make new connections on the floor, in the lounge or at MHI Industry Night.

Before heading to ProMat this year, make a list of the people you want to connect with. We like to do this in the form of a simple spreadsheet, but you can use whichever means is easiest for you. Contact your network ahead of time to notify them that you’re coming, and you’ll be more likely to connect with them in the midst of the busy show. Also, make sure to check out some of the organized networking initiatives like these:

Women in the Supply Chain Industry Forum

MHI partners with MHEDA and AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education) to identify challenges women face in the industry and how to pave the path for the next generation of women

MHI Young Professionals Networking Event

MHI Young Professionals Network and PMMI’s Emerging Leaders Network join to provide a networking event where young professionals in material handling, supply chain & packaging industries can meet.

Educational Events

In addition to the four major keynotes, the ProMat show will feature more than 100 show floor seminars. Some of these seminars will come in the form of town hall-style forums discussing relevant topics for the future of material handling and logistics, such as autonomous vehicles and sustainable facilities. When you’re not busy networking or having lunch at the ProMat Bistro, educational seminars are an awesome way to learn things you won’t learn anywhere else.

Tips for New Attendees

Before we leave for ProMat, we want to offer a few last minute tips for attendees heading to the show for the first time or those looking to optimize their time there.

• Take advantage of the free shuttles to and from ProMat
• Utilize the bag check. You may not think you need it, but it can get tiring walking around all day, and having that backpack on doesn’t help.
• Head to the Bistro for your meals. It’s an awesome place to network with your peers, and it allows you to reserve tables for blocks of time so you’ll have a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the show floor.
• Wear tennis shoes. While they may not go with your suit, athletic shoes make it easier to wheel around the show floor without getting fatigued.

If you’re heading to ProMat this year, we’d love to connect with you! Let us know how your experience at the show goes or if you’re able to put something from this article to use.

Remember, our goal is to help you!