Becky | Teepee Materials Handling

Oct

Transform Your Warehouse Into A Treat This Halloween

2024
Becky

With Halloween lurking around the corner, is it time to see if you are delivering a trick or a treat and consider whether it’s time to transform your warehouse?

At Teepee, we specialize in supplying warehouse systems such as partitioning, racking, mezzanine floors, and safety barriers—solutions that can turn your warehouse into a functional masterpiece, with less fright and more delight! We can show you how to avoid monsters lurking in the aisles and instead treat your warehouse to a hauntingly good transformation that will enhance productivity, and storage capacity, to increase profitability and safety.

1. Clear the Cobwebs: Organize Your Space with Effective Racking Solutions

Don’t let your warehouse feel like you’re navigating a haunted house. Are dark corners making items disappear? Do piles of stock appear to be moving all by themselves? If your warehouse layout is looking more like a horror scene, it might be time to sweep out the cobwebs and go for streamlined and efficient racking.

The best way to get the most out of your warehouse is to go for a bespoke design. That way you can have a racking layout which works perfectly for your business. The design should accommodate stock profiles, and your picking methods, while also enhancing inventory management. It should enhance the journey of stock as it moves through your warehouse, making sure it is easily accessible and seamlessly moves through the space until the moment the order leaves the building.

A bespoke design will also consider the type of storage equipment you need, whether that’s pallet racking for larger goods, narrow aisle racking to increase storage capacity within the footprint of your building or shelving that can fill a tight space in your warehouse.

By getting Teepee to design a racking system tailored to your exact requirements, we’ll take the planning and design weight off your shoulders. Our design will maximise the space in your warehouse and avoid the ghastly scenes of overcrowded aisles and disorganised inventory.

2. Banish Hazards with Safety Barriers

When things go bump in the warehouse, make sure it doesn’t turn into a horror story. Getting suitable protection around high-risk areas can help your warehouse to operate safely while keeping your workers protected from any unexpected scares. It is also a requirement to ensure you comply with current Health & Safety Legislation and Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) recommendations.

The problem is, with so many options on the market, which is the best one for your racking and business? One advantage of working with a supplier like Teepee is that we are product agnostic which means we can supply the best safety equipment to suit your warehouse – regardless of the manufacturer. We offer a range of steel or impact-resistance plastic safety barriers and guarding systems such as racking safety barriers, pedestrian barriers, end-of-aisle racking barriers including upright protection guards, mezzanine floor stanchion guards and protection barriers around machines, offices and building walls. We also offer a bespoke manufacturing service to meet individual needs.

3. Banish the spectre of unused space

If your warehouse is haunted by the lack of storage space or inadequate areas for picking and packing tasks, maybe it’s time to consider how to maximise your warehouse. Any building has constrains with the height and width of the structure, but it is possible to enhance what you have with a few little treats.

There are plenty of options to incorporate into the warehouse that can provide additional storage capacity. With multi-tier racking you build upwards to utilise the space above your head by creating levels and walkways on which you place shelving to create picking lanes. Another option is to introduce some space-saving models such as Push Back racking which operates on a First In Last Out (FILO) system. The racking stores up to 10 pallets deep and can optimise the space by up to 85%. Pallets load onto a gravity roll track that pushes previous pallets to the back, then, when you pick a pallet, the next one behind will move forward. Pallets load and unload from the same aisle picking space and you can store several SKUs without needing to move large quantities of pallets to gain access.

If it’s usable space you’re looking for, you might want to consider adding a mezzanine floor. These structures are custom-built for your needs and can be used for multiple purposes including additional storage, production space and even offices.

4. Divide and Conquer this Halloween with Partitioning Systems

Instead of going up, why not look at casting a spell by dividing the floor space you currently have. After all, a chaotic warehouse layout can make it feel like everything’s closing in on you, much like a claustrophobic haunted house.

Maybe you need to better utilise the space on your factory floor. Perhaps, you’re looking to create extra rooms for dedicated workspaces or offices for private meetings. At Teepee, we can supply bespoke and multi-functional partition walls that solve all your nightmare dilemmas.

Our industrial partitioning solutions offer the flexibility you need to create distinct work zones on your factory floor, ensuring the safety of your employees and enhancing the productivity of your business. Whether you need to section off areas for manufacturing, storage, or office space within your factory, our factory partitioning walls are the ultimate solution for all your partitioning needs. If you already have dedicated office space, we can also provide glass office partitions to enhance your layout.

5. Scare Off Downtime with Regular Inspections and Maintenance

Nothing is more terrifying for a warehouse than unexpected downtime due to damage racking. You can avoid frightful surprises by regularly inspecting your storage equipment.

As a SEMA Approved Member – Advanced, we recommend their advice of following a three-tiered inspection approach.

Every day your team should be keeping an eye on your racking and reporting if they see any knocks or bumps. Why is this important? Well, your storage equipment is manufactured from lightweight materials and there is a limit to the amount of abuse it can withstand. As explained in HSG76 Warehousing & Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety, any amount of damage can significantly reduce the load-bearing capacity and stability of the racking structure.
Once a week a nominated member of your team should perform a visual inspection. The role is also known as a Person Responsible for Racking Safety (PRRS) and they should check everyone is following correct usage, record damage levels and implement action on any points. A formal record of their inspection will be written for your records. To prepare your team for damage checking the racking and undertaking the weekly inspection we offer our Racking and Safety Awareness Course.
At least once a year, you must submit your racking to an Expert inspection. This can only be done by a competent and trained inspector with the correct qualifications for this type of inspection. They will conduct racking and storage assessments while also reporting and making recommendations to maintain the safety of your racking. If you need an expert inspection, get in touch and one of our approved racking inspectors to visit your site. They will produce an electronic report that details damage list by location, a traffic light reporting system for the completion of repair work and photographic evidence for remedial works.

If you want to make your warehouse a fright-free zone this Halloween why not get in touch with Teepee. With over 35 years of experience within the industry, we have the knowledge and skills to discuss your project and determine the best solution for your facility! We can also arrange a free on-site consultation to ensure your warehouse design maximises your business.

Oct

How To Improve Storage Solutions In Your Warehouse

2024
Becky

In most warehouses, running at maximum efficiency is critical to the operations of your business. If stock is easy to locate and move through the space it increases productivity, reduces costs and improves customer satisfaction. To achieve this, everything needs to run at optimum efficiency and playing a central role to this, are your storage solutions. Improve their functionality, design or even the type of racking and shelving you have in your warehouse, and it can make considerable improvements and cost reductions.

At Teepee, we have over 35 years of experience designing, supplying, installing and maintaining racking and shelving systems. We’ve learnt a thing or two about how to boost storage solutions in your warehouse. Read our top five list of recommendations and then get in touch for a free consultation.

Why do I need to improve my storage solutions?

With most warehouse businesses, there is always a need to make improvements. Perhaps you want to turn orders around more quickly. Maybe you’re looking to add new stock lines. Or you could be looking to divide your warehouse to accommodate different processing tasks e.g. zones for standard retail goods, online orders and handling returns. The issues are far-reaching, yet most can be improved by making simple adjustments to your storage solutions. There may even be some issues you didn’t realise could be fixed by updating your racking. For example, the layout of your storage solution could be causing unnecessary accidents or creating problems with overstocking.

Warehouses come in all shapes and sizes and while there are limitations, the footprint of your building shouldn’t dictate how effectively the space works or prevent you from exploring ways to create extra storage capacity. Manage the space and stock well and it should lead to increased profitability.

The changes don’t always need an expensive outlay, sometimes a few changes to the racking style or the design in your warehouse can make huge difference.

Improving storage options usually falls into five key areas:

Enhancing the design to create a safer and more streamlined warehouse
Improving warehouse efficiency to increase profitability
Maximising your space to enable you to grow
Safety
Delivering the best Return On Investment for your racking

Issue 1: Incorrect design for your storage solutions

When we visit a warehouse, the first thing we explore is whether the design of your equipment is working for your company. It is easy to pick racking that matches your stock type, but really you need the design of your racking to match your processes.

Your racking plays a pivotal role in getting the stock from A to B in the most efficient manner with minimal sticking points. Any supplier should be looking at how many pallets are passing through the warehouse – where they enter the warehouse and what happens to the pallets after they have been delivered. They should also check if there’s an area to store the deliveries and then consider how the pallets move to the racking. Finally, how does the stock move to the final stages of being picked and packed before leaving the warehouse?

A bespoke storage solution design should consider your immediate and future requirements and optimise the layout to organise your stock and streamline processes. It should then select the best solution for your business, whether that is pallet racking or combining a mix of solutions into one structure. Get this right and it will provide the outline for a successful warehouse.

Issue 2: Maximise efficiencies

There are plenty of ways to improve efficiencies and some may require small changes, but it is largely down to how you manage your inventory levels. How organised are the storage areas – a critical step if you hold multiple products. You can efficiently categorise your pallets in different ways, whether that’s by SKU, size of product or even based on stock demand.

Once organised, next determine how easily your team manage stock levels. It’s no good suddenly running out of particular type of item when an order needs to go out the door. The design of your racking should improve visibility to make items easier to locate. Not only does this improve pick and pack times but also reduces wasted man hours searching for particular types of item. If you have a large number of pallets per SKU then a bulk storage solution such as a drive-in/drive-through racking will be worth considering but if you have multiple SKUs, you may need more than one type of storage system.

You also need to maximise efficiency by asking if your racking matches the stock profile. If you have small items stored on a pallet racking shelf it’s going to waste a lot of valuable space. You may also consider how stock moves around the warehouse and whether it aligns with your racking. Could automation improve and speed up the processes and how well does everything integrate with the picking and packing process.

Issue 3: Not enough storage space!

This is a key problem most warehouse owners face. Here’s the scenario – customer demand has grown; you need to hold more stock, but you’ve run out of capacity. The solution is normally to move warehouse. The problem is overheads associated with renting a larger warehouse along with the cost of physically moving can quickly eat into your profits. That’s before you even consider purchasing new racking to accommodate that extra stock.

If you’re working with limited space, it might benefit your business to review your current storage solution and see how a few adjustments can create additional storage and maximise your warehouse space. One great example is to utilise the unused space above your head by building your racking up. You can choose a multi-tier racking system although it may not always be possible depending on your current equipment. Alternatively, for a quicker and potentially cheaper option, you can add mezzanine floors to your warehouse. These can be used for a wide range of options such as adding shelving, adding an office or creating zoned areas.

Not all racking is made the same, while Adjustable Pallet Racking is ideal for bulky items, another option could be to introduce some space-saving models such as Push Back racking which operates on a First In Last Out (FILO) system. The racking stores up to 10 pallets deep and can optimise the space by up to 85%. Pallets are loaded onto a gravity roll track that pushes previously loaded pallets deep to the back, then, when you pick a pallet, the next one behind will move forward. Pallets load and unload from the same aisle picking space and you can store several SKUs without needing to move large quantities of pallets to gain access.

Consider whether the design of your storage equipment is maximising the entire floor space. Although pallet racking will take up a large footprint, it is possible to use smaller solutions such as industrial shelving to maximise unused areas. Shelving also makes retrieving products much quicker which can speed up order processing times.

Issue 4: Safety

Working in a warehouse can be a dangerous environment and, if you look on the HSE website, you will find numerous guidance documents on how to operate safely. Your racking and shelving plays a crucial role in maximising the safety of your warehouse and it’s an important element to consider when looking to improve your storage solutions. Every day your racking will be subjected to knocks and bumps which will damage the racking. Ignore the damage and it can quickly escalate into a much bigger problem which impacts the safety of your warehouse.

Your racking should be designed to reduce unnecessary wear and tear, but you can also reduce risks by incorporating training for your team. This element is so important it is recommended by the HSE in their HSG 76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety and by SEMA, a leading voice in the industry on storage equipment safety.

When looking for a racking safety course, it’s worthwhile getting training in a familiar setting from experts who work within the industry. That’s why our interactive Racking Awareness, Safety & Inspection Course is delivered by our experienced inspectors at your premises.

The classroom-based element of the course will equip candidates with a level of competence that meets Health & Safety guidelines and legislation. Yet, there is also an important practical section which allows your employees to work alongside our qualified inspector to ensure continuity of findings between the in-house and expert inspections.

Issue 5: Storage Solutions Return On Investment (ROI)

Training your team will play a significant role but you have to follow this up with an Expert inspection In accordance with HSE requirements, this should be at least once a year and only conducted by a professional with the correct qualifications to undertake this type of inspection. They will conduct racking and storage assessments while also reporting and making recommendations to maintain the safety of your racking. Conducting an Expert inspection is another essential element in maximising the lifespan of your equipment. Damage on racking can very quickly grow from a small problem to a much larger issue which could increase repair costs and minimise the structures integrity.

Before asking a company over to repair your racking, first check their credentials. Not all repair work is valid (you can visit SEMA’s website for guidance on their recommendations). You should also check if the installer is replacing non-structural elements with the correct part according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Finally, check how the work will impact your manufacturer’s warranty. Any warehouse racking repairs using third-party materials or unqualified installers could alter the original specification and verification of the product and its integrity. The company undertaking the work must provide a warranty to confirm that the repairs are covered by the manufacturer.

Get in Touch

Are you looking for the perfect solution? At Teepee, we have provided a variety of creative solutions for major manufacturers and retailers across the UK, and with a 35+ year proven track record, we have the experience and knowledge to assist you in maximising your warehouse.

If you have any questions, get in touch with one of our team who are on hand to help you out.

Sep

Industrial Shelving Solutions: Everything You Need To Know

2024
Becky

In most UK warehouse spaces, racking is seen as the obvious choice for providing storage solutions that maximise your business. After all, the structure can hold heavy weight, it’s robust and, when designed correctly, can efficiently fill the full height of your warehouse. So why do you need to bother with shelving solutions?

For any business, shelving solutions can provide an easy and cost-effective way to store all the items they need for the day-to-day running of their business. However, get yourself some industrial shelving and it can take your warehouse storage system to the next level.

We explain all about industrial shelving solutions and how they can benefit your business.

Industrial Shelving vs. Racking?

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes down to whether to choose shelving or racking. However, you may decide to go with shelving for three key reasons.

The first, is how you will pick your stock. With industrial shelving, you can only hand load stock, unlike racking which can use forklift trucks, automation or by hand. Industrial shelving units are smaller, allowing you to install them into restricted areas in your warehouse. The last, possibly biggest advantage, over industrial shelving is cost. Industrial shelving units are typically cheaper than traditional racking. This has the benefit of allowing you to increase capacity while avoiding the expense of moving or purchasing new systems.

These advantages make shelving solutions the ideal companion to sit alongside your usual racking systems. Even better, there are a number of different options to choose from.

What industrial shelving solutions are available?

Shelving is available in all sizes and it’s worth researching the best system for your inventory.

Shortspan shelving

Shortspan shelving is ideal for storing smaller items and each shelf can hold up to 200 kg. Add in a range of complimentary accessories such as lockable doors, closed backs and/or sides, dividers and bi fronts and suddenly your shelving becomes incredibly versatile.

Longspan shelving

As the name suggest, much longer in width when compared to a shortspan system. This makes it the ideal system when you need to store large and long items. Plus, with the possibility to carry up to 1000kg per shelf it is ideal for heavier items.

Mobile shelving

This shelving can maximise the space in your warehouse. The shelving units have rollers on the base which run along tracks, enabling them to close together when not used. With shelves open only when you need access, it significantly increases the amount of stock you can store within the footprint of your space. You can choose from either light, medium or heavy duty systems.

Carton live shelving

On this shelving rollers are used instead of shelves to hold the stock. The stock is loaded in one side of the shelving and then retrieved the opposite end. It works with a FIFO principle, furthermore it can reduce order picking times by up to 65%. This type of shelving works best with longspan structures and can be fitted with some accessories such as drop-down angle tilt shelves or lane.

What to look out for with industrial shelving

Not all shelving is the same and before ordering, there are a few key areas to look out for.

1. Material

Make sure your shelving is an industrial system which is durable and suitable for your warehouse environment. You should also check what material the shelf is made from, it will be an important factor for the type of stock you hold.

Wood is versatile, plastic is corrosion resistant and easy to clean whereas wire allows for excellent visibility and ventilation. However, they all have a lower weight holding capacity. Steel is the best material for strength.

2. Installation

There is often a misconception that industrial shelving is difficult to install. However, many systems are designed for ease of installation and maintenance. Not only is this a benefit when first ordering your shelving but will provide additional advantages if you decided to reconfigure or move your shelving at a later date.

3. Design

Check if the shelving is modular in design. This allows you to quickly and easily reconfigure or expand your storage capacity without costing a lot of money. Furthermore, you should also check with the supplier to see what options you have for future expansion, i.e. can equipment be re-used to create a multi-tier or a high-density mobile system that will maximise your warehouse space.

4. Accessories

Can you customise your shelf space to make it suit your stock. A lot of shelving systems come with additional accessories such as dividers, drawers and pull-out units which allow you to create a bespoke storage for your stock. You should also check if you have the option of fitting either an open or closed backs and sides to segregate stock.

5. Weight

When thinking about whether industrial shelving will be a good option for your warehouse, you need to get rid of the misconception that shelving is only suitable for light-duty storage. Although a lot of shelving systems are only suitable for storing office suppliers or small parts, industrial shelving takes it to the next level.

In fact, industrial shelving comes in varying weight carrying capacities and this includes heavy-duty options. For example, our longspan shelving is capable of carrying loads of up to 1000kg per shelf, is an incredibly cost-effective option if you are looking for a solution to store archive boxes or boxed goods within a warehouse. Obviously, this loading capacity is based on uniformly distributed load, and it is never advisable to allow stock to build up in one corner!

Getting industrial shelving solutions in your warehouse can provide some big advantages to increase your storage capacity. If you’re looking at how you can maximise your existing space, why not get in touch and let us see if industrial shelving can make a world of difference.

May

Cantilever Racking – A Complete Guide

2024
Becky

The great thing about the warehouse and logistics industry is the variety it delivers. Never more so than in the wide range of stock items companies have to store. It can range from large and bulky items right down to small, intricate pieces. This means you need a storage solution that accommodates all profiles and makes them easy to find, pick and pack.

With such a variety to cater for, choosing one type of racking for all your storage needs is never going to meet your needs. Instead, you need a range of storage systems designed to meet your bespoke requirements. Get it right and not only will it maximise your storage capacity, but can also increase productivity and drive down costs. It’s for this reason you need to work with qualified and experienced racking suppliers like Teepee. We have the skills and industry knowledge to design bespoke solutions that work for your business and processes.

So, what happens when you need to stock the unusual items? Those products that, due to their size or weight, simply won’t fit on a standard pallet racking system. This is where Cantilever Racking comes into play.

What is Cantilever Racking?

Cantilever racking at first glance appears to be a simplistic structure. However, it is the lack of details that provides the greatest flexibility for the logistics and storage industry.

With pallet racking, the structure consists of vertical uprights separated by shelves to create enclosed bays on which you hold the stock. Cantilever racking is very different and consists of upright steel columns sited on base units to create the frame of the structure. The racking is a self-supporting structure and to provide rigidity and strength to the frame, braces are fixed between the uprights. Arms are then attached horizontally to the columns which extend out to provide open and unrestricted access to the storage space. To maximise the storage capability of the structure and minimise wasted space, arms can be set at varying heights and to specific load-bearing requirements depending on the profile of your stock.

Cantilever racking is available in two configurations:

Single-sided cantilever racking – as the name explains, the arms on this structure extend from one side of the central column. The racking can sit flush against a wall to utilise the full space of your warehouse.
Double-sided cantilever racking – to maximise capacity you can opt for a double-sided structure where the arms protrude from both sides of the central column. Due to the strength of the base, you can site these structures, unsupported, in the centre of your warehouse space.

To optimise the flexibility of the racking, you have the option of attaching pins to the end of the arms. These act as a barrier to stop items from rolling off the arms. Decking can be fitted to fill in the gaps if you are storing items that do not fit between the arms.

Do I need forklifts?

As with any racking you can choose whether to hand or mechanically load the cantilever system depending on the weight and height of the stock.

Standard forklift trucks work seamlessly with cantilever racking. However, if you are looking to maximise storage capacity you may opt to reduce the spacing between each run of cantilever racking. In these situations, it is possible to use side loaders or multi-directional forklifts which are ideal for narrow aisles.

What can you store on cantilever racking?

Cantilever racking offers a high level of flexibility especially when storing non-palletised goods. Unlike pallet racking, where product size is constrained by the size of the bay, the open structure of the cantilever can adapt to unusual stock profiles.

Arms can be set a defined lengths to ensure the width and weight of the loads are fully supported. Long items, such as sheets of wood and metal or pipe, can sit across multiple arms or you can design the arm spacing to exactly suit the stock. For this reason, they are often seen at builders’ merchants or timber manufacturers.

However, opt for a heavy-duty cantilever system and it can easily hold heavy-weight building materials such as rebar and lintels. Cantilever racking can also be used to store bulky and oversized items.

Top 5 Benefits of Cantilever Racking

Efficient use of space – due to the slim profile of the cantilever racking, the structure reduces the amount of floor space needed to store a high volume of stock. Plus, with single and double-side options it enables you to maximise usable space.
Strength – When designed and calculated correctly, cantilever racking can safely support extreme weights and maximise storage capacity while at the same time taking up a smaller footprint in comparison to standard pallet racking.
Cost saving – due to the open structure of the racking, stock is easily visible from most angles. This makes stock easier to locate and pick, increasing productivity. It also makes the management of stock levels far simpler.
Easily adjustable – In most warehouses, requirements will change and cantilever racking can be easily adapted to suit the new stock profile. Arms are adjusted by unclipping and fixing into the new position on the frame.
It can be used outside – when a galvanised coating is applied to the cantilever racking it minimises the risk of corrosion to the structure when used in outdoor spaces. This makes it ideal for builder’s merchants, garden centres or warehouse yards.

Looking for warehouse racking?

If you’re wondering whether cantilever racking could provide the solution for your warehouse, why not get in touch with Teepee? We offer a free consultation service to discuss your storage requirements and then recommend the best system for your business. We work with a range of different manufacturers to deliver a bespoke solution that meets the unique needs of your business.

Our experience within the racking and warehouse industry means that we can project manage from start to finish to offer the highest quality standards with the minimum of fuss.

May

5 Reasons Why You Should Install Mezzanine Floors

2024
Becky

Space is a fundamental part of any warehouse and business. It’s used for storing stock, functional office space, creative studios, or even logistical purposes. When growing as a business, naturally your premises need to grow too, catering for the additional needs and demands of customers and clients. Whilst relocating or extending might be the first thing that comes to mind, you may want to reconsider your current space and how it can be transformed and utilised efficiently by using storage systems like mezzanine floors.

Mezzanine floors are a popular option for many businesses, and we can see why. They are versatile and can be custom-built for your needs, maximising the current usable space without having to expand the building’s footprint.

Read on and discover the top five benefits of installing a mezzanine floor in your warehouse.

1. Mezzanine floors = additional, flexible floor space

Whilst it may seem obvious, adding additional floor space is the number one benefit of installing a mezzanine floor.

However, the mezzanine floor does far more, increasing the profitability of your business by utilising an area you can’t normally use – your overhead space. This is important in an area such as a warehouse where the height of the building is typically vast and often neglected. Why extend outwards when you already have the space to build up? In some cases, you can almost double the floor space you have with very little outlay.

Mezzanine floors are not only to limited storage facilities and with the correct design for your specific requirement, they can also support other business needs such as increased production or an office area.

The size of the mezzanine floor won’t limit your requirements either. Providing the mezzanine meets safety standards set out in UK Building Regulations, the floor can be as large as your space enables and even accommodate multiple levels.

2. Mezzanine floors create a multifunctional warehouse

Warehouses are often used as a central hub for everything, from customer service, office space to delivery and returns. Some warehouses offer the full 360 service with the need for training areas and recycling zones. They might even have a customer shop or outlet on site too.

Using a mezzanine floor allows you to centralise your business and consolidate operations into one space e.g. instead of separate locations, you could instead look at splitting the space in your warehouse for specific roles. Perhaps you need to separate your e-commerce business from your retail and trade business – this could be the perfect solution.

The advantage of having one space is collaboration between teams. Different departments can work closer together and understand systems better when they are all under one roof. They can support one another and resolve issues quicker through better communication. A mezzanine floor allows you to be more flexible with your operations and gives you the space you need.

3. A cost-effective business alternative

Installing a mezzanine floor could seem an expensive outlay, but in reality, it is far more cost-effective than renting another warehouse or relocating to a new unit. With the correct mezzanine for your business, the space should increase productivity and efficiency. Plus, by designing the floor for your exact specification, you can easily future-proof the space by accommodating future growth and changing requirements.

As an attractive asset for other businesses, it can even increase the value of your building if you’re planning on selling it. However, if you do become too attached, as a semi-permanent structure you may take it with you when relocating.

4. Minimum hassle, maximum benefit – Mezzanine Floors

Refurbishing a new warehouse, installing your shelving, relocating your stock and office equipment, and updating your return details can take months to do. That’s on top of dealing with the challenge of running a business efficiently. Installing a mezzanine level will minimise your downtime. The mezzanine can be modular in a bespoke design to meet your individual needs, allowing a fast and efficient installation that reduces disruption to day-to-day operations.

It’s worth noting that mezzanine floors are considered semi-permanent structures. As such, these structures do not require planning permission and you only need building regulations approval. We’d always recommend checking with your landlord and local authority with regards to floor slab suitability and means of escape. Get in touch with our team and we can help with any questions you might have.

5. It’s not a quick fix

Although a mezzanine floor is classed as a non-permanent structure, that doesn’t mean it’s only temporary. In fact, just like your racking, you should view your mezzanine floor as a long-term solution that is designed and built to last. The design of your floor will incorporate the weight load requirements to ensure that the platform will safely support activities.

This makes your mezzanine floor an ideal choice when looking to future-proof operations. Instead of moving to a larger site, you can expand and work with what you already have. It means less risk and more growth.

Of course, as with any structure, you will need to conduct regular inspections to maintain its weight-bearing load and structural integrity.

Looking to install a mezzanine floor in your warehouse?

Are you ready to take the next step in growing your warehouse and business? At Teepee, we’ve been providing high-quality warehouse solutions for over 35 years. We are your trusted partner, ensuring that your warehouse or workplace is as efficient as it can be. Our experienced team will work with you to create tailored designs that meet your needs. We will conduct the necessary assessments to ensure your structure meets safety, building and quality standards. Get in touch with our specialists today.

Mar

Improved warehouse safety – make your racking a priority task

2024
Becky

Safety has to be a priority in any warehouse. They are busy environments. Heavy stock is moving around and you must protect employees while working in the space. However, over recent years with the fast growth in e-commerce, pressures have increased within the warehouse. With a drive for additional storage capacity and faster throughput of stock, are you remembering to maintain warehouse safety?

In the warehouse, the main focus areas for safety are slips and falls, manual handling and keeping your employees safe around moving vehicles. The challenge, especially as our warehouse spaces get busier, is how to minimise the risks. This is where your racking comes into play. Get the design of your storage equipment right, take the correct measures on maintenance and training and it will address many of your safety issues.

Here is our checklist of key points to consider to maximise pallet racking safety.

Warehouse Safety – roles and responsibilities

Before we look at how your pallet racking can make a warehouse safe, you first need to understand your responsibilities towards warehouse safety. Fortunately, serious incidents around racking are rare, but they can and do still happen. This is why there are several regulations and guidance documents in place that any business owner must follow to meet their health and safety requirements. These are:

In addition to these, there are three regulations and guidance documents which specifically relate to increasing warehouse safety. These also cover safety in the design, installation and use of your pallet racking equipment.

Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) sets out the legal duties of everyone involved in a construction project. Although you may not realise it, large pallet-racking projects fall under the category of construction work. CDM 2015 requires the client (anyone who has construction work carried out for them) to make sure their project is suitably managed and upholds the health and safety of anyone involved.

In conjunction with industry unions, associations and employer bodies, HSE produces HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety. The document offers advice to warehouse owners in increasing safety and covers general health, safety and welfare, materials handling and storage.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, 1998 places the responsibility on employers to uphold safety for their employees by ensuring the work equipment they use is in good working order. The regulations include pallet racking and other storage equipment.

Increase Pallet Racking Safety

Making sure your racking equipment and warehouse space meet industry regulations is essential. However, in an industry with so many different suppliers, knowing who to work with can be a challenge. How do you know they have chosen the right system for your warehouse? Does the design increase warehouse safety standards? Will the structure meet its intended purpose? Are they meeting all the regulations?

Checking the credentials of your suppliers can take a lot of time, especially if you’re not a racking expert! One place to start is by contacting SEMA, a leading voice in the storage equipment industry. Their guidance works through the design, supply, installation, use and maintenance of storage equipment.

To help warehouse owners even further they also work with leading industry suppliers to create a network of approved members. Work with a SEMA Distributor Company such as Teepee and you know they undergo independent audits to ensure they meet all the industry requirements and standards. This provides clear proof to warehouse owners that their new storage system will be correctly designed using new products that are installed by trained and qualified teams to meet HSE standards and that the member is correctly insured. It will save you a lot of time and effort making sure you tick all the health and safety boxes!

Prioritising pallet racking safety

One of the advantages of working with a SEMA Distributor Company is that you know they are benefitting from the technical expertise available through the group. That means we are kept up to date on the latest industry regulations, technical requirements and design guidance.

To enhance your warehouse safety, we will make sure that your racking considers the following:

Safe working spaces
Keeping your employees safe when working in areas with pallet racking has a lot to do with the layout of the equipment. Of course, optimising the racking must address how to increase storage capacity, processing order timescales and productivity. But good design and layout will also help reduce accidents, keep your employees safe from moving vehicles and minimise the risk of slips or trips. This includes creating clear pathways, designated loading and unloading zones, and ensuring stock is accessed safely.
Moving vehicles
In the modern warehouse, you will inevitably see some form of vehicle moving around the space. Forklift trucks are the most common but, with the increase in automation and robotics, the requirements are changing. However, with warehouse workers also using the space there needs to be constant management to prevent accidents. Traffic routes around the racking should allow pedestrians to see the vehicles and drivers to operate safely. Where possible, employees should be kept separate from the vehicles.
Racking designed for stock profiles and picking methods
As warehouse spaces become larger, so too do the size and height of the racking structures. It is not unusual for workers to work above floor level on mezzanine or multi-tier structures or through the use of forklift trucks. Keeping everyone safe on the shop floor requires a design that includes enough space between the beams for the picking methods, equipment used and stock profiles. The racking aisles must also accommodate safe access to goods, use correct racking protection products and incorporate the moving space of fork-lift trucks and robotics.
Pallet racking – weight limits
The design of your racking includes limits on the weight the structure can hold and how to load it correctly. The precise details can be different for each bay or racking run depending on the stock you carry. Important guidance when you consider that, in its simplest form, your racking is a basic metal frame. Ignore the weight-carrying specifications and it can lead to a potential failure of the racking. You can’t expect everyone to remember the different weight-carrying capacities which is why your employees need to pay attention to the Load Notice. This key warehouse safety sign clearly shows the correct loading and weight procedures for the structure.
Pallet racking safety equipment
If you have the optimal design for your racking it should keep everyone safe. However, it can only meet its intended purpose if everything is working correctly. Your supplier should also build in safety equipment that protects the racking from damage including rack guards and post protectors. Finally, for correct installation of the structure you must use a SEIRS installer who has trained to meet SEMA and industry standards. That way you will know pallet racking safety pins are correctly securing beams in place. Locks are in place to ensure adjustments are not be made by unauthorised members.

Improving Safety

The racking is in place and stock is moving through the space seamlessly. Stock efficiency has increased to minimise order timescales and increase your profitability.

Now the biggest challenge – how to keep it all working correctly!

The answer lies in equipping your employees with the knowledge of how to work in areas with racking. It may seem easy to dismiss racking training as an unnecessary step, but it does provide you with two clear advantages. First, and perhaps most importantly, it will keep your employees safe. Second of all, it will help to maximise the lifespan of your racking (which is ideal for maximising the ROI).

That is why we run our Rack Inspection Training. The course equips your employees with the skills and knowledge they need to work safely in areas where racking is present. It also provides them with the tools they need to recognise damage on racking. After all, the sooner damaged racking is reported, the sooner it can be fixed and the safer everyone stays. Finally, our course will help you in meeting your PUWER responsibilities by training a member of your team to perform the HSE and SEMA recommended weekly inspection.

Ongoing Warehouse Safety

The final step is to ensure your racking keeps everyone safe for as long as possible. You can only achieve this if the structure is subject to an Expert inspection at least once a year. This inspection must be undertaken by a professional with the correct qualifications. Their role is to conduct racking and storage assessment reports on the racking and recommend if repair work is required.

Ideally, you want an approved racking inspector who uses a traffic light reporting system according to SEMA guidelines. Their report will indicate where damage is present and action requirements over what timescale.

Green areas indicate where damage falls within SEMA limits and is considered safe and suitable for use, but it will need reviewing at the next inspection.
Amber shows where the damage is severe enough to require remedial work, but you don’t need to offload the racking immediately. As pallet positions empty, you must not refill the area. Repairs not completed within four weeks automatically become a red risk.
Red risk areas indicates a dangerious level of damage and the racking requires immediate offloading. At this stage, you must isolate the racking and not use it until the repair work is complete.

If you need an expert inspection, get in touch with Teepee and we can arrange for one of our fully qualified and insured racking inspectors to visit your site. They will produce an electronic report that adheres to SEMA inspection guidelines. The report will detail specifications, conditions, damage list by location and photographic evidence for remedial works by your approved supplier.

Need help in upholding warehouse safety?

At Teepee, we’re more than just creating and delivering the perfect storage solution. We place safety and high standards at the forefront of every racking design and installation we fulfil.

If you’ve got a warehouse storage project planned, why not contact Teepee? Our experience within the racking and warehouse industry means that we can help deliver a project that promises safety, quality and reliability throughout the lifetime of your racking.

Feb

Warehouse Trends 2024 – How to Plan Warehouse Racking Systems

2024
Becky

Is your warehouse ready for 2024? At this early stage of the year, it is the ideal time for businesses to review their warehouse and work on a plan that will boost productivity and increase efficiencies. Maybe you’ve run out of storage space? Do you need to review your warehouse racking systems or your picking and packing timescales are too slow? Do you need to upgrade your warehouse management, or do you want to analyse changes in customer behaviour? In this new era of increased e-commerce, the warehouse and logistics industry is rapidly changing. However, new warehouse trends and developments are arising that could provide the answers.

So where is the best place to start? With so much noise, it’s hard to pinpoint the changes that will provide the best Return On Investment. If you’re worried about the affordability of new technologies, not sure how easy they are to implement or concerned about disrupting warehouse life, this blog is just for you.

With over 30 years of experience working in the storage equipment and warehousing industry, we know a thing or two about how you can give your warehouse a push in the right direction. Our complete guide will give you some pointers. We look at ways to improve the agility of your supply chain, and how you can future-proof your warehouse for this new revolution in warehouse trends.

Optimising Your Warehouse Space

Before looking at new warehouse trends and what to invest in, let’s start off your 2024 plan with something you already have – your warehouse space. With the cost-of-living crisis challenging our year ahead and warehouse space at a premium, how can we make changes without breaking the bank?

In recent years, warehouse owners have faced the problem of not having enough storage capacity. This could be due to rising costs or a lack of availability of suitable units. Moving doesn’t always have to be the answer. Instead, look at making the best use of your space and invest in a new warehouse racking system. You may not realise it, but your racking could be the key that unlocks a lot of the problems you may experience in your warehouse.

Lack of storage?
Choose warehouse racking systems which increases the density and capacity of your space. For example, a multi-tier structure adds additional storage space and maximises the full height of your building. Or create additional floor space within the same unit with a warehouse mezzanine floor. If you haven’t got the height opt for a VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) which decreases the aisle width and allows more racking within the same space.
A need for speed?
Ensure your layout works for the throughput of your stock. Its journey from the moment it arrives in the warehouse until the moment it leaves should be seamless. To speed up the process, the design of your warehouse racking systems should enhance the flow of the stock, making it easy to locate and removing sticking points. You could even opt for a system such as push-back racking. This operates on a FILO (first in, last out) system which provides less need for manual stock rotation to increase picking and packing timescales.

Future Proofing: Keeping up with Warehouse Trends in 2024

Is your warehouse ready for the future? Can it maximise your business for years to come? Although your warehouse might have supported your business performance in the past, there is no guarantee it will do so in the future. This is especially true when you look at the rise of e-commerce and the demands it places for faster delivery times and multifunctional spaces.

Of course, installing the best warehouse racking systems for your space can help, but to stay competitive in 2024 it is also critical to understand what the new warehouse trends are and how they can improve your business. To help you out, here we share what we believe the future holds. Not that we are psychics or anything.

Automation Trend

Even though we have just stepped into 2024, the warehouse industry knows that the advancements in warehouse automation and AI will continue to be a hot topic. After all, integrate these technological advances and it can improve productivity, increase the flow of stock, deliver consistent results. However, for a lot of smaller logistics, cost has been a prohibitive factor. As the growth and uptake of automation continue, prices are expected to come down and, with the efficiencies it can deliver, should offer a high Return On Investment for businesses.

Of course, any new technology must be the right fit for your warehouse and work with your space. To be successful, the new solutions have to be harmonious with the traditional – your warehouse racking systems. Get advice from industry experts on how automation, robotics or AI will work for you and whether the design of your racking accommodates key elements. For example, does it provide clearance for the movement of automation or build on the improvements the new technology can deliver?

Data is King!

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) are not new in the modern warehouse and most businesses have one in place to improve efficiencies. However, as technology advances, now might be the time to address whether your WMS still works for your business.

WMS are essential for providing real-time analytics and insights into the movement of your stock and managing your supply chain fulfilment. Combine the system with AI, especially with hybrid operations, and it can improve the process even further. This will increase the efficiency of your warehouse by avoiding the chance of stockouts and enabling quick response times. Get the right warehouse racking systems in place to support your WMS and it can transform your warehouse.

Sustainability

As transparency becomes a big factor, customers are expecting businesses to share their contributions to reducing carbon emissions. As the new generation becomes more conscious about environmental impacts and methods towards achieving net zero targets, sustainable efforts by businesses have become a major factor that has influenced buying behaviour/ purchasing decisions. Warehouse owners must prioritise the integration of sustainability at an early stage.

It can be challenging to implement sustainability in the logistics industry. Yet even small changes can be implemented that can make significant savings on carbon emissions. Whether it’s implementing energy-efficient lighting, HVAC or increasing the number of recyclable materials used in your packaging. Also, examine the credentials of your warehouse racking systems. Look at where it has been manufactured and the journey it makes to your warehouse. Alternatively increase the lifespan of your equipment by adopting a rigorous inspection regime

Quality Work Environments

With rising mental health issues over the past 10 years, the focus on well-being in the workplace has become an important factor. Fostering a positive work environment has proven to have a great impact on employee engagement and organisational performance.

You can support your team by introducing a positive work culture. Specify designated break areas that are comfortable and relaxing. Equip them with the knowledge to perform their job correctly. When it comes to your racking this has the added benefit of keeping them safe! Send them on a training course like our Rack Inspection Training course. Delivered by our expert instructors, the course provides them with the knowledge to work safely around warehouse racking systems. They will also learn how to recognise damage to the equipment. Training is a great way to bring peace of mind to any work environment.

How can Teepee help?

We hope this blog gives you a better understanding of how to give your warehouse a boost in 2024.

Need some help? Why not get in touch with Teepee and see how we can help to upgrade your business in 2024? As a SEMA Distributor Company and through our experience with a wide range of industries, we can provide a full turnkey solution that delivers everything you need to maximise your performance and increase safety:

Start with our free site visit to establish the best design solution for your space.
Project managing from start to finish. We oversee a smooth and seamless delivery with all works meeting required quality and safety standards.
Supplying a flexible storage solution to meet the unique needs of your business, including warehouse mezzanine floors.
Installing the highest quality standards with very little interruption to your business
Providing aftercare: maintenance, repair & inspection.

Jan

How to Find a Pallet Racking Supplier: A Guide

2024
Becky

Have you recently taken on a new warehouse? Maybe you’re looking to give your racking a boost because your current equipment isn’t working for your business. Whatever your plans, there will definitely be a wish list of requirements for your racking to deliver. But, getting there isn’t as easy as you think. When making such a big investment, it’s crucial to choose a pallet racking supplier who can deliver a precise mix. This includes choosing the correct equipment for the job and a design that maximises safety and works for your business.

However, search for a pallet racking supplier and you quickly find it is a saturated market. Choosing one can be incredibly difficult. How do you know if they are qualified for the job? Will their design and racking choice deliver the most for your business? How do you know if they’ll maximise Return On Investment (ROI)?

In these days of ‘buyer beware’ it’s right to be cautious with your buying decisions. After all, racking may look simple, but the complexity of your system’s design, manufacture, and installation cannot be ignored. Especially when you consider the critical job it does to safely hold tonnes of product above your employees’ heads. In our blog, we look at the key areas to consider when choosing a pallet racking supplier.

How can pallet racking help your business?

Let’s start with the basics, why does getting the correct pallet racking for your business matter so much? As the growth in online shopping continues, the need for a workable warehouse is more important than ever.

Your racking plays a central role in delivering on expectations and should deliver on the following four areas:

Maximise productivity: As a business owner, you want to your warehouse to run efficiently to maximise productivity and increase revenue. With the correct layout, your racking should maximise storage capacity, improve inventory management and make the journey from initial order to leaving the warehouse as seamlessly as possible.
Meet industry regulations: Within the warehouse and racking industry there are numerous regulations that every business owner must be aware of. Your racking installation, depending on the size of the project, might fall under Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) requirements. Guidance has also been provided by the HSE in HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety. Although it is not a legal requirement to follow their advice, doing so can help you meet expected Health & Safety standards. Lastly, your racking is classed as work equipment and falls under the requirements of PUWER.
Create a future-proof warehouse: Your racking is a big outlay, and you want to protect these costs as much as possible. To future-proof your warehouse and your investment, you need to consider whether the design of your racking has accommodated potential growth or adaptability in changing stock profiles.
Increase safety: Last, but not least, there is the element of safety. Your racking should put safety at the forefront and aim to protect your employees at all costs. Does the design of your racking incorporate features such as safe zones, reducing the risk of falling loads or designated processing areas? These can all help to protect your employees while they work around the racking.

What to expect from a pallet racking supplier?

So, with an abundance of suppliers on the market, what should you expect when you get in touch with a racking company?

After the initial consultation to establish your requirements and understand if your distributor can meet your requirements, the pallet racking supplier should visit your warehouse. This enables them to fully examine your warehouse processes and space before on the best system for your business.

They should be looking at the available space in your warehouse which includes the floor capacity and height of the ceiling. They will look at how often you need to access pallets and if you need zones for different processing tasks. The review should also consider the shelf life of the items you are going to palletise and their storage requirements. Answering questions like these will lead towards choosing the most suitable racking and design for your business.

Apart from the basic requirements of product system knowledge and correct design, you also need to work with a pallet racking supplier who can give your warehouse a boost. Warehouses have become multi-functional spaces and must work harder than ever. To meet these demands, you will probably need multiple systems for your project. Work with a supplier, like Teepee, who can deliver a turnkey solution which uses a range of products from different manufacturers. This affords us the flexibility to pick and choose the very best solution that meets the characteristics and needs of your business.

Using Teepee as a central contact point will save you a lot of time and energy. Gone is the need to negotiate with different companies and arrange delivery timescales and installation schedules! Working with our experienced project management team will minimise disruption to your business and ensure the installation complies with statutory requirements, building control, and CDM 2015 regulations.

Do their racking installers work safely?

Once you and your supplier have worked through the most appropriate design for your warehouse, it’s on to the installation stage. Ensuring ongoing safety through the quality of the racking installation is an area that is often overlooked. Yet, making even one small mistake at this stage can increase unnecessary damage to the structure or, at worst, render the racking dangerous.

Always check that your supplier is working with installers who have gained industry qualifications. Never assume they are correctly trained. In reality, most installers learn on the job, and it is very easy for them to pick up bad habits. One recognised, industry qualification is SEIRS. Run by SEMA, SEIRS instructs on correct racking installation methods, industry-specific requirements for the job and practical skills when installing racking.

SEIRS is also a recognised qualification by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). So, if your racking project does fall under the remit of a construction project, you can be sure that your SEIRS CSCS installer has the qualifications to meet H&S requirements to work on site.

What after-sales care does your pallet racking supplier offer?

Once your racking is in place, the support from your pallet racking supplier shouldn’t stop! Do they have an after-sales team who can answer any queries? Will they come to the site if any problems do occur? Can they also advise on the best way to protect your racking from damage?

To protect your investment and enhance safety in the warehouse, your pallet racking supplier should provide training for your employees. This provides them with the knowledge required to work safely around the racking and identify when damage occurs. The training should also guide you on how to perform weekly inspections that confirm with HSG76.

As the owner, you must also get an approved racking inspector to inspect your equipment at least once a year. Their detailed inspection report will cover the suitability and compatibility of your equipment, and rack configuration type and classify any damage using a traffic light system to indicate actions required and the recommended timescale to address them.

How to find a pallet racking supplier?

Now you know why you need correctly designed racking and what to expect from your supplier, it’s time to find the best company to work with. Of course, we’ve all done it, jumped on Google to search for a business before clicking on a few to check their company website. They all look impressive, demonstrate their experience and have plenty of testimonials and case studies. But is this enough? Does this make them reliable enough to put such a big investment into their hands?

Some words of warning. Experience is not always a measure of quality and safety. There are also very few barriers to entering the pallet racking market which means not every company has gained an accreditation to start supplying.

One of the best places to start is by heading over to the SEMA website. The Storage Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (SEMA) are a leading voice on safety and quality within the racking industry. They offer guidance on everything from meeting industry regulations to safety in racking installations all the way through to implementing the correct inspection procedure.

Companies, like Teepee, can apply to become one of their members as a SEMA Distributor Company. To successfully gain our badge, we have to demonstrate via an independent audit, that we adhere to over 40 key measures. These include regulations, industry standards, SEMA Codes of Practice and legislative requirements. On top of that, every three years we must submit to another independent audit to ensure we retain the expected quality and safety standards.

Racking Solutions From Teepee

Now you know what to look for from your racking supplier, are you ready to get started? If you’ve got a warehouse storage project planned in the near future, why not get in contact with Teepee? We will provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for the job. Plus with our long-standing relationship with suppliers, we have the skills and knowledge to deliver a full turnkey project.

Why not get in touch today?

Jan

Your Complete Guide to Understanding Warehouse Racking Repairs

2024
Becky

Warehouse racking repairs, we hate to say it, are inevitable. In the busy day-to-day environment that is your warehouse, it’s natural for your storage equipment to be at risk of knocks and bumps. No matter what racking you have, eventually all that wear and tear is going to need some repair work. To keep your warehouse running smoothly and your workforce safe, ensuring it’s in the best condition is extremely important.

In this blog, we look at how you can minimise accidental damage and reduce ongoing repair costs. We’ll also look at what you can do to minimise maintenance costs and the best approaches to address racking repairs.

Racking Safety Regulations

When addressing warehouse racking repairs, the first place to start looking at the relevant safety regulations. Under the PUWER (Provisions and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) you, as the warehouse manager must ensure that any work equipment is in good working order. What you may not be aware of is the fact that your racking is classified as work equipment.

PUWER requires you to check whether any equipment is:

Suitable for the intended use
Safe to use
Inspected
Maintained in a safe condition

Failing to correctly do so can result in serious consequences. If an investigation by the HSE discovers you have failed in due diligence it can result in hefty fines. This doesn’t even take into account the potential impact on lives after a serious accident.

Inspections and Warehouse Racking Repairs

To meet PUWER it is recommended that you inspect your storage equipment. The design of your racking does allow for some wear and tear but there is a limit to what it can take. Even minor damage can limit the load-carrying capacity of the structure and quickly develop into a serious issue if not addressed.

A rigorous inspection regime will address any damage before it becomes serious. For industry guidance on inspections, there are two places to go. The HSE has produced ‘HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety’ or you can head to the website of SEMA who are the leading voice on safety in the storage equipment industry. Both recommend following a three-tiered process for inspecting warehouse racking.

How Often Should You Inspect Racking?

Every day your staff should be aware of any damage on the racking. Provide training for your employees, like our Rack Inspection Training course, and it will give them the tools they need to understand what classifies as racking damage. It is far more cost-effective to catch damage early before it develops into a more serious problem.This training also has the benefit of guiding them through safe working practices. Damaged racking can cause downtime for your business. Minimise unnecessary costs by making sure your employees know how to correctly work around the racking. Not only will it keep them safe but it should also reduce accidental damage to the structure.

At least once a week, a member of your staff must undertake a more thorough inspection. This includes checking the loading is correct for the load notice and if there are any components that are missing or damaged. It will also check that everyone is using the equipment correctly. Again, our Rack Inspection Training course will guide them through the process.
Finally, at least once a year, you must have an Expert Inspection by a qualified approved racking inspector. Their detailed inspection report will cover the suitability and compatibility of your equipment, and rack configuration type and classify any damage using a traffic light system to indicate actions required and the recommended timescale to address them.

If you’re overdue for your inspection or have not had one before, why not give us a call and we can arrange for one of our experienced racking inspectors to visit your site.

How do I know if I need warehouse racking repairs?

You know you have damage to your racking but does it need repairing every time? The first thing to understand is the level of the damage. If your racking inspection uses the traffic light system, it should be very easy to understand.

A ‘Green Risk’ shows that there is damage, but it falls well below SEMA allowances. This will be recorded for follow-up at the next inspection.

Next, is the ‘Amber Risk’. This is damage which requires repair work but not at a level that requires immediate offloading. However, you should be aware that as you empty the bays, they should not be refilled. This does not mean you can leave the repair work. SEMA advises that if you don’t get the ‘Amber Risk’ areas fixed within four weeks it will immediately become a ‘Red Risk’.

Now on to the worst type of damage ‘Red Risk’. This is an area with a high level of damage and must be immediately offloaded and isolated. You may only use the racking again once it has been repaired.

Protect your racking investment

Before you jump online and book a company to come out and repair your racking, take caution! Not all repair work is valid. SEMA has produced guidance on what repair work they recommend and what should be avoided.

For example, your racking company should never undertake welding to the structure because there is no way to test the result of the weld and guarantee strength. If there is damage to an upright, you should never bend it back into shape – it’s far safe to cut out the affected area and splice in a new section. If you need to replace non-structural elements you should only use the correct manufacturer’s part according to their specification. Always check they are replacing the part with the correct one!!

Finally, check with the racking manufacturer on whether the repair work will affect your warranty. Any warehouse racking repairs using third-party materials or unqualified installers could alter the original specification and verification of the product and impact its integrity. The company undertaking the work must provide a warranty to confirm that the repairs are covered by the manufacturer.

How to choose a company to conduct your warehouse racking repairs

If you’re looking to protect your investment, you need to work with a company that is approved by the manufacturer of your equipment. However, knowing which companies to trust can be a time-consuming process.

One solution is to work with a SEMA Distributor Company like Teepee. As a member of SEMA, we work closely with the manufacturing members and can access their documentation to conduct repair work. Any warehouse racking repairs will be approved by the manufacturer and protect your warranty.

To become a SEMA Distributor Company, we have been able to successfully demonstrate a high level of commitment to adhere to over 40 regulations, industry standards, Codes of Practice, and legislative requirements. We also have to submit to a three-yearly audit process which checks that we have technical sign-off and traceability for any racking repair work or modification. It will save you a lot of leg work and reassure you.

Need repairs to your racking?

As a member of SEMA, we are also committed to using SEIRS-trained racking installers. The programme run by SEMA ensures that all SEIRS installers have been through their rigorous two-stage training programme and instructs on the correct and safe industry practices for working on racking equipment.

Dec

Warehouse Pallet Racking Installation: A Complete Guide

2023
Becky

Getting a new warehouse pallet racking installation in place can be a logistical headache for a lot of business owners. Whether extending current racking or moving to a new facility, there are a lot of different considerations to account for.

If starting from scratch, you need to ask yourself crucial questions. Have you got the best design and choice of racking to improve operations? Are you dovetailing in new racking into an existing structure? Furthermore, how will it compromise your business while the work is going on? On top of all that, are you meeting your Health & Safety responsibilities?

In this blog, we guide you through the key questions to ask when you begin your warehouse racking installations. We also look at the best pallet racking systems for your warehouse, how to choose a racking supplier and how to prepare for the final build.

Book Your Racking Installation Today

Warehouse Pallet Racking Setup: How To Choose The Right Design

When planning new warehouse racking, before you even get to the installation, there is a checklist of three key areas you must cover:

Design and racking type
Have you got the best racking for the job? Does the design work for the throughput of your stock as it travels through the warehouse? This requires extensive planning by a supplier who has experience in getting the most out of your space. Get this stage correct and it will increase storage capacity, reduce pick and packing times and improve productivity. Most importantly, it will keep everyone safe.
Are you meeting industry regulations?
Most warehouse racking installations fall under the category of a construction project and are covered by HSE’s Construction Design & Management Regulations 2015. As the client, you are responsible for checking you have the ‘right people for the right job’. Check the suppliers credentials to ensure they meet health and safety requirements. Are they using trained labour for the design and installation of your racking?
The right supplier
To meet conditions 1 and 2 on our checklist you need a responsible racking supplier. But, with thousands of racking suppliers listed in the UK, knowing which one to choose is a minefield. When you work with Teepee, we can prove our safety and quality credentials through our position as a SEMA Distributor Company. To gain our membership we have to meet over 40 industry and SEMA standards and demonstrate our commitment to quality and safety through an independent audit. To demonstrate our commitment to meeting SEMA’s high standards, we have to undergo the accreditation process every three years.

Once you’ve ticked all the boxes, it’s time to get the warehouse racking installation in place.

Can I Install My Own Pallet Racking?

So, a commonly asked question is whether you can install your pallet racking. After all, it sounds appealing to save some costs if you’re only adding in a few additional bays. The truth is that yes, you can install your racking, but it is not something we would ever advise. To understand why, you would need to look at the apparent simplicity of the structure.

When stripped back, racking is a basic structure with very little to it. However, it is this factor that makes correct installation so important. Miss out an important part of the manufacturer’s specification or fail to address key elements in the design code and it will severely comprise the strength of the racking. Take that away and you’re looking at the nightmare of a potential racking collapse.

That’s why at Teepee we only work with installers who have gained industry qualifications in warehouse racking. Not convinced? There are a lot of advantages to making sure you only use trained installers.

Why Choose Qualified Pallet Racking Installers?

The first critical benefit is safety. The installation of racking is a skilled job that requires a high level of practical and technical knowledge.

During the installation, to ensure your racking is up to the job, it must meet certain criteria. For example, do the number and type of floor fixings meet manufacturer tolerances? Have they been correctly positioned and tightened?

The next benefit is reducing ongoing costs. Badly installed racking is more likely to become damaged through unnecessary wear and tear weakening the integrity of the structure. Invest in the installation of your racking and it will pay you back in the long term.

If safety and reducing costs weren’t enough of an incentive, there is also a risk of you failing to meet industry regulations. Take a look at HSG76 Warehousing and Storage: A Guide to Health and Safety which advises warehouse owners on the correct steps towards improving warehouse safety. In the area of warehouse racking installations HSG76 recommends that “racking should only be installed by competent people according to manufacturer’s instruction”. To make sure your installer is ‘competent’, you need to make sure they have received relevant training.

Contact Teepee Materials Handling Today

How Do I Check My Installer Is Qualified?

You should never assume that your supplier has a trained installer. There are very few installation courses out there and many installers still learn ‘on the job’. Over time it is very easy for an installer to pick up bad habits, or worse, they never learn the correct methods in the first place.

The first thing to do, is check if your installer has a SEIRS card. Run by SEMA, SEIRS is a national scheme which rigorously trains installers on correct installation methods per industry standards. Installers who have been through SEIRS can demonstrate that they have built up a solid foundation of industry-specific knowledge and practical skills needed for installing racking structures.

SEIRS is also recognised by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). An installer who holds a SEIRS CSCS has the correct skills and experience for installing racking on construction sites and will cover your requirements under CDM 2015.

How Do I Prepare For Warehouse Pallet Racking Installation?

Looking to install new warehouse racking? Work with Teepee and you know we will work to the highest quality and safety standards throughout the process.

To make sure we understand your needs properly we will first visit your site to analyse the layout, understand your needs and the issues you want to address. We will also look at technical aspects such as how to effectively utilise the available space, reduce product handling, and improve access and suitability of the space and floor for the racking. At this time, especially if we’re installing in a live environment, we will work with you to plan the best route to installation and minimise any disruption to operations.

Once you have approved the quote and design, the installation work will take place. Depending on the design and warehouse characteristics, the installation time will vary, However, we strive to get your business up and running as quickly as we can while working hard for the best results.

Warehouse Racking Setup: Contact Teepee Today

Teepee offers a range of services related to warehouse solutions, from the design, supply and installation right through to inspections and after-care. Call us at 01384 256969 or fill in our contact form and we will happily answer any queries you have or provide a free quote for your racking.

Contact Teepee Materials Handling Today