SR EN 15635 – Repair of Rack Supports

Even a minor impact can reduce the load-bearing capacity of a support by up to 80%

The “SR EN 15635 Static Steel Storage Systems – Application and Maintenance of Storage Equipment” specifies the following limits for damages to supports and bracings in pallet racks.

Excerpt SR EN 15635

All dimensions in mm

View of the damage-measurement methods of typical support and bracing profiles of adjustable pallet racks:

  1. Measurement length 1000mm
  2. Half of the measurement length
  3. Pallet rack beam

A 1-meter tape measure is held along the damaged support so that the damaged area is exactly in the middle of it. The distance to the support is measured at this point. The limit values for the green danger level are a maximum deviation of 3 millimeters for the support bar over a length of 1 meter in the direction of the front face. In the direction of the side faces, the limit is 5 millimeters. For horizontal and diagonal bars, the limit for the green danger level is a maximum of 10 millimeters per meter. If the values are doubled, the maximum limit for the orange danger level is reached, and values exceeding these limits fall into the red danger level.

Classification of damages

GREEN Risk

Monitoring only

This danger level applies when deformations do not exceed the specified limits shown in the image above. If deformations fall within these limits, the defective component only requires monitoring. The affected element remains deemed safe and operational. Nonetheless, the rack component must be clearly marked with the appropriate color code, and the damage is to be documented accordingly.

ORANGE Risk

Dangerous damage requiring immediate action

This category addresses frame damages that exceed the limits shown in the image above by less than a factor of 2. Such damages are considered hazardous and require prompt action. If racks with damage at the orange danger level are unloaded, they should not be loaded again until repairs have been made.

RED Risk

Very severe damage, immediate action required

This category applies to damages to frames that exceed the limits shown in the image above by a factor of 2 or more. These are considered very severe damages that require immediate action. The rack must be immediately unloaded and secured until repairs are completed.

Repairs may also be carried out without the consent of the rack manufacturer

The BGHW (Professional Association for Trade and Logistics of Goods – BGHW for short) technical committee came to the following conclusion:

“Repairs to shelves may generally also be carried out by companies that are not the manufacturer of the rack, even without their consent. Conditions for this are: The repairer guarantees and certifies to the operator that the load-bearing capacity of the rack is at least as good as when it was new. Upon request from authorities (e.g. Labor Inspection or other competent state authorities), the repairer must provide evidence of sufficient load-bearing capacity. Proof may be provided through calculations and/or tests. The technical committee will shortly publish the outcome of the technical committee meeting and inform all accident insurance carriers about the DGUV.”

(Minutes of the technical committee meeting of BGHW dated February 16, 2011).

FAQ

SR EN 15635 is a European standard for the operation, maintenance, and repair of racking systems. It includes requirements for safety, load-bearing capacity, and operational readiness of racks, and provides recommendations for their maintenance and upkeep.

SR EN 15635 applies to all types of racks, including storage racks, bookshelves, racks for workshop equipment, and other racks used for storing goods. The standard also applies to racks used in industry, commerce, services, and trade.

According to SR EN 15635, racks must be designed, constructed, and maintained to withstand the loads they are subjected to during use and must not pose any danger to users. This includes requirements for the stability and load-bearing capacity of racks, ventilation of stored goods, and labeling of racks and stored goods. The standard also provides guidelines for handling damaged racks and stored goods, as well as for conducting inspections and maintenance work.

If a rack is damaged, it should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage and ensure the safety of users. The type of repair depends on the type and extent of the damage. In some cases, minor damage such as bent rack elements or broken racks can be easily repaired using special tools and replacement parts. Major damage, such as damaged rack supports or frames, may require the use of skilled personnel and special repair methods.

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