Technical Inspection

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Improvements in logistics management processes and competitive pressures due to market forces compel companies to progressively optimise their fixed assets in order to free up financial resources, while they must simultaneously improve the level of service they provide for their customers.

This means the equipment they use is subject to increasingly demanding specialisation because of the progressive intensification of its activity. Current storage systems are technically highly optimised assets. There are specific regulatory frameworks governing their design, installation and use in function of their characteristics (open and perforated thin-walled sections). Their main advantage is they represent highly competitive solutions as they can support heavy loads at great heights and with very little material; their main disadvantage is that they are more susceptible to inappropriate use and therefore require an inspection and maintenance programme to guarantee their performance.

Racking and storage systems are generally operated by handling equipment (forklift trucks, etc.) which constantly interact with them. This interaction, mainly during loading, unloading and transit operations, racking components can suffer impacts of varying intensities and frequency.

Other incidences also occur from using loading units, handling elements or due to unsuitable planning and design for storage needs. Lastly, using racking for a purpose other than which it was designed, changing its location, moving it or altering its layout can negatively affect these systems’ integrity.

As a result, damage to the racking’s structural elements creates a loss of function, which reduces its load capacity and affects its stability, creating high risk situations that could lead to very serious material damages and personal injuries.
In this context, significant effort has been made to develop regulations to systematise appropriate use and maintenance of this type of equipment, notably the training of staff responsible for its use.