Brace Yourself – Important Pallet Rack Protection Tips | Apex Safety Spotlight

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Brace Panels & Pallet Rack Guards Work Together to Safeguard Your Warehouse

When we refer to pallet rack bracing, we’re referring to the series of struts bolted or welded between the front and rear columns. Together these elements form a pallet rack upright. The bracing is done to provide needed stability to the rack frame in the cross-aisle direction and to add structural support to the individual columns.

The struts are organized vertically in a series of brace panels which are repeated throughout the height of the upright. The distance between the beam levels and adherence to seismic requirements may dictate additional or modified brace panels to reinforce the upright. Options include thicker struts, doubling the number of struts, or designing the bracing pattern where the struts are mounted closer together.

There are three main brace panel patterns used depending on the rack system design specifications and manufacturer – K-brace, X-brace, and Z-brace.

Brace Panels

 

Bracing Your Pallet Rack for Equipment Strikes

Heavy-duty horizontal struts can be used to provide added protection for vulnerable columns on the aisle. Also, column protectors or end row guards can be positioned to directly take equipment strikes and minimize or prevent rack damage. Hopefully, these rack safety guard features are all you’ll ever need to ensure the safe operation of your pallet rack system.

However, because brace panels are critical to the stability of the pallet rack system, any damage to these components could jeopardize the integrity of the upright and by extension the rack system’s capacity and ability to safely remain in place.

If your system encounters brace damage, the first priority should be to immediately isolate the affected area. Next, you have a choice on how to address the severity of the damage and quickly execute a repair if needed… the choice is to Do it Yourself with the Apex Rack Repair App or call the Apex PROs.   


Identifying Pallet Rack Damage

Apex Rack Repair Mobile AppNot all pallet rack damage requires repair. The Apex Rack Repair App is a free digital tool used for inspecting rack damage and determining if it requires repair. The Rack Repair App also allows you to capture all the necessary specs to quickly and accurately secure a custom rack repair kit. Choose to inspect the rack yourself using the app or call the Apex PROs.

Do It Yourself  – Guided rack inspection, capture key specs and photos, identify damaged rack system components and accessories.

Apex PROs – Trained and certified rack inspectors complete your warehouse systems inspection using the Rack Repair App.

Our Promise –  Whether you choose to use the Rack Repair App or hire an Apex PRO, you will receive an independent, non-biased pallet rack audit and repair or replacement solution.

The Apex Rack Repair App is free for download from Google Play or the App Store. Get started today!

Call the Apex team to get help from the PROs.