How To Prepare Your Warehouse Before Setting Up Storage Racking Systems

Investing in high-quality storage racking systems is very important for warehouse owners. Without these storage systems, warehouses are essentially useless. Racking systems enable warehouse operators to organise and secure their stock items. These systems allow warehouse workers to effortlessly retrieve or store their inventory.

However, installing new racking systems is never an easy task. The warehouse where these systems are being installed needs to be prepared in various ways. Here are the key steps your warehouse operators need will to take before they install storage racking systems –

Optimising the Warehouse’s Layout

The existing layout of your warehouse may need some modifications to make room for the brand-new racking systems. Plan your warehouse’s layout in a way that addresses your day-to-day storage and retrieval needs.

• Obstructions: Make sure there are no major obstructions inside the warehouse. Sprinkler systems, overhead lighting fixtures, support columns, and other obstructions may prevent you from setting up your racking system. Before asking the installers to visit your warehouse, get rid of these obstructions.

• Floor Space: Your warehouse workers will need extra floor space around your new storage racking systems. They’ll need these extra spaces to open, label, and check the contents of the packages that arrive in your warehouse. Make sure there’s sufficient floor space around your racking systems. Mark these spaces as “shipping and receiving areas.” Don’t store anything else in these spaces.

• Moisture Check: All regions inside your warehouse need to be safe from water damage risks. High-quality storage racking systems are usually made of strong steel components. Despite their durability, these steel components are prone to water damage and corrosion. Address these risks before ordering new racking systems for your warehouse.

Creating Sufficient Vertical Space

Racking systems allow warehouse operators to store their inventory items vertically. That means these systems don’t need too much horizontal warehouse floor space. That’s great news for your storage goals.

But, the tall heights of these racking systems may not suit your warehouse. Ensure the racking systems you purchase aren’t too tall for your warehouse. Also, make sure that your forklift trucks or other warehouse equipment are as tall as your new racking systems.

Safety Checks

Most high-quality storage racking systems don’t come with pre-built enclosures or guard rails. Your inventory items may fall off the beams of these unguarded racking systems.

• Consider installing guardrails or safety netting around your racking systems to avoid these accident risks.

• You’ll also have to train your warehouse workers to properly operate forklifts and other storage equipment. They must know how to manoeuvre the machines between different racks.

• Even a small collision between a forklift and a racking system can cause a lot of damage. So, give your warehouse workers regular training on how to adhere to safety guidelines while operating forklifts.

• Make sure that the forklift trucks currently under your ownership have sufficient load capacities.

Worker Training

Warehouse workers need a lot of training to work with tall and wide storage racking systems. Maintain strict training requirements inside your warehouse. Follow these guidelines to ensure your new racking systems are installed and used efficiently in your warehouse.