EU interest grows in patented pallet racking safety system

Redditch based Rack Collapse Prevention’s (RCP) unique pallet racking safety system is gaining attention from European companies looking to safeguard staff and inventory.

In a typical steel framed warehouse, where RCP’s Rhino safety system is fitted to fully loaded racking, in the event of a single or multiple support leg damage incident, racking would drop slightly but remain stable and prevent rack collapse failure.

RCP founder Craig Attwell said: “Our protection system is designed to provide a safer working environment for warehouse professionals, in any situation racks are used."

Rack collapse can cost thousands and more importantly lives, potentially crippling a business if the worst were to happen. Used by logistics specialists and food storage companies across the UK and Europe, RCP’s safety system is now gaining attention from Europe’s racking specialists.

With any form of pallet racking, particularly above six meters, there is an increased risk of racking failure, typically caused by forklift operator error or incorrect pallet stacking. A damaged racking leg, whilst under load, will force the leg to buckle and lose the structure’s ability to withstand load capacity, causing the rack to collapse.

Craig said: “RCP’s system uses wire ropes suspended from the building’s steel structure where possible which is then in turn attached to each individual leg. If the building’s structure cannot be used, then a secondary steel structure is installed to form a support structure for the suspension ropes."

“With Rhino in place, damaged legs can’t buckle or collapse, preventing total rack collapse even if the racking drops slightly, and it also prevents any potential domino effect within the storage facility.”