Do All Pallet Racks Have to be Secured with 2 Bolts?
Steel pallet racking is common in most storage areas these days, and part of the structural safety of the racks is provided by bolting the baseplates to the floor.
Large set of storage racks.
Baseplate with 2 bolts
Previous standards for pallet racking only required one (1) bolt per baseplate, but the current Australian Standard AS 4084: Steel Storage Racking specifies a minimum of 2 bolts per baseplate, where the racking is serviced by mechanical equipment.
The main reason for requiring 2 bolts is to prevent twisting of the (uptight) column if it is struck by a forklift, as the load capacity of the columns reduces dramatically if there is any buckling or twisting, and can cause the whole rack set to collapse.
Example of a rack collapse
Therefore, you can accept only 1 bolt per baseplate if the racking is not loaded and unloaded with mechanical equipment such as forklift trucks.
Do We Have to Use Special Bolts?
Many rack installers secure their baseplates with inexpensive and readily available expandable bolts eg “DynaBolts”. These are bolts which expand in diameter when the nut on the top is tightened. See diagram below.
A reader has asked are DynaBolts OK for securing base plates to the floor, or do the regulations mandate concrete screw in bolts or other methods?
Performance of Base Plate Bolts
The relevant Australian Standard AS 4084, does not specify the type of bolts that may be used, but it does specify the performance eg minimum strength of the connection of the upright to the floor.
Base plates must be secured to the floor and be capable of sustaining:
5kN in tension eg about 500kg force pulling up on the bolt; and
8kN in shear eg about 800kg force horizontally such if struck by a forklift.
CAUTION: Packaging for DynaBolts will likely display their design shear and tension capacity, but if the bolt is set into poor quality mortar or low strength concrete the design strength of the base plate will not be achieved.
For a quote to conduct an independent inspection of your racking by a qualified structural engineer, or training for your team call us on 03 8544 4300 or email us.
