Pallet rack safety pins: big return on small investment

Time:2/9/2022

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What are safety pins?

For warehouse practitioners and the general public, safety pins have a very different image, but a very similar function; safety pins hold items in place. In roll-formed pallet racking, safety or locking pins secure the crossbar to the column, preventing it from shifting if it is accidentally hit by a forklift or pallet load. Safety pins in the world of pallet racking serve a similar additional security purpose. Whether you call them shelf safety pins, locking pins, beam locking devices, safety clips or j-pins, their purpose is to secure pallet racking beams to the uprights, preventing the beams from being subjected to being loaded by pallets or forklifts.

Why do you need safety pins?

The Static Pallet Racking system typically allows for a load of 2500 lbs. per pallet. A pair of beams equals 5,000 pounds, which is roughly equivalent to supporting a pickup truck! You may be surprised to learn that many racking designs simply hang the beams from the posts. They are pushed downward by gravity and the weight of the supporting load alone, with nothing else to stop the beams from being lifted out of place. With this design, the beams can be quickly disassembled by hand, and the racks can be easily assembled and disassembled by simply lifting the beams up and out.

Take into account the accidental lifting of a beam while loading or unloading the level below it. Lifting equipment can lift a pallet and its load with sufficient force to also lift the beam above it, which can be difficult for the operator to notice. If the lifted beam is disconnected from the support column, it runs the risk of falling when the lift operator backs up, allowing the supported product to fall and potentially cause damage or injury. Another critical factor to consider is that the installed beam increases the load capacity of the rack by flexing the lateral support columns. Therefore, intentional or unintentional removal of the beams can reduce the load capacity of the rack, which may then be overloaded due to its new configuration. It is for this reason that the load capacity of the rack should be evaluated when reconfiguring the beam.

How do safety pins work?

Safety pins are mounted at the connection between the crossbeams and the uprights. Each cross member is supported at both ends, so two pins need to be installed for each cross member. Each safety pin must be capable of resisting an upward force of 1000 lbs (4.5kN) as specified in Design Specification CSA A344 Section 11.3.1 and ANSI MH16.1 Section 5.4.2.

Steel storage racks that use structural steel members with bolted beams are not considered in this document. Beams bolted securely to columns do not carry the same risk of disconnection as clip-on beams. For these racking types, it is important to check the bolts to verify that they are present and properly tightened according to installation specifications.

Selecting the right type of safety pin

If the safety is not already integrated into the beam connector design, there are several types of safety pins available for purchase. Most can be categorized as permanent or removable pins. The difference is that permanent pins are installed using a basic tool (wrench), while removable pins can be installed or removed without tools. Removable pins offer slightly less protection because there is nothing but friction and gravity to prevent the pin from shifting out of its proper position due to vibration or contact with the pallet, which highlights the need to periodically check the rack to make sure everything is still present has been engaged. Removable safety pins typically have faster installation times and are very low cost; some styles are made by stamping shapes out of excess material, leaving a drop-pin shaped hole in the beam connector. Seeing safety pins made from stamped beam material usually suggests the manufacturer's recommended safety pin shape.

Here are a few common safety pin styles:

a-few-common-safety-pin-styles

When choosing a safety pin style, always refer to the rack manufacturer's recommendations. Some may recommend a stamped pin with square edges, while others may recommend a round pin. There is a small benefit to using removable drop pins in warehouses where racks are frequently rearranged and where they need to be installed and removed quickly and easily. However, for warehouses where shelving is not frequently modified, permanent safety pins may be recommended so that once installed, they will stay in place and function more efficiently. Always remember that moving or removing the beams will affect the load capacity of the rack and will require the appropriate LARC drawings.

If you are interested in a pallet racking audit to ensure the safety of your pallet racking system, including beams, columns, anchors and all connections and guards, please contact us at spieth12@spiethstorage.com.