Does the rack have to be fixed in the floor / wall?
Whether a shelf requires special fastening depends on its design and use. The decisive factor is that stability is guaranteed in all operating conditions. Not only the permissible payloads must be taken into account. The forces generated during storage and retrieval must also be taken into account.
Fixed racking that is loaded or unloaded using industrial trucks generally requires additional securing. This applies in particular to pallet racking. For example, several racks can be connected to each other (spacers) or anchored to the floor with bolt anchors. Which measure makes sense depends on the shelving system, use, and installation situation.
Anchoring in the floor is particularly necessary if the ratio of height to depth exceeds 5:1. The decisive factor here is the height of the topmost shelf bracket. It is also important that the substrate is suitable for the intended anchoring. Certain requirements must be met by the floor (e.g., concrete, 20 cm thick, grade C20/25, etc.). Minor unevenness can be corrected using levelling plates. Here too, the structural requirements should always be taken into account.
Fastening requirements for a storage rack or shelving unit
Whether a storage rack or shelving unit needs to be additionally secured depends on the structure, the type of installation, and the relationship between height and depth. However, there is no general obligation to secure them. Shelving that is loaded and unloaded by hand is generally considered to be stable if the height of the top shelf is no more than five times the shelf depth. This ratio is often described as the 5:1 rule. If stability is not sufficiently guaranteed due to the design, use, or installation conditions, additional measures must be taken to prevent tipping. In such cases, fixing may be useful or necessary. Wall fastening is a suitable solution if the wall is a suitable load-bearing structural element. Alternatively, securing can also be achieved using a floor connection or by connecting several rows of shelving. Up to a height of two meters, two spacers are recommended per rack upright. From a height of three meters, we recommend using three spacers.
Fastening requirements for pallet racking
In practice, the securing requirements for pallet racking are significantly higher. The reason for the increased risk of damage is the additional horizontal forces and impact stresses during loading and unloading with industrial trucks, such as forklift trucks.
The typical form of securing pallet racking is floor anchoring. It ensures that the uprights are securely fixed and cannot move. Fixing to the wall is not usually provided for pallet racking. The decisive factor here is securing via the floor. The German DGUV Information 208-043 explicitly lists the condition and effectiveness of the safety devices as a test point during the regular rack inspection, which must be carried out at least once a year. This also includes securing the uprights against shifting, for example, using floor anchors.
At the corner areas of pallet racks that are loaded or unloaded with non-guided conveyors, an L-shaped collision guard is also required. This serves to protect against damage caused by collisions. Nevertheless, we recommend securing the inner uprights of the racking system with suitable U collision protection. This significantly reduces the risk of damage during operation. The rack collision protection must be firmly connected to the floor. It must not be connected to the rack uprights.
Conclusion on the necessity of shelf fastening
Additional protection against tipping is necessary for storage racks if the stability is not already sufficiently guaranteed by their own weight, geometry and type of installation. Depending on the situation, securing can take the form of wall fastening, a connection to other racks, or a floor connection.
Pallet racks must be specially secured due to the higher operational load. In practice, this is usually done by anchoring with bolt anchors in the floor.
