What site prep is required before the pallet rack installation crew arrives (dock access, power, clear floor, dumpsters)?
Quick Answer
Ensure a smooth pallet rack installation by providing unobstructed dock access for delivery trucks, a clear, level floor in the rack area, and 120-volt power for installation tools. Remove existing racks or inventory, mark sprinkler lines overhead, and arrange on-site dumpsters for packaging debris and any rack demolition waste.
Detailed Answer
Proper site preparation keeps your project on schedule and protects your budget. At Warehouse Cubed, our warehouse consulting services start by reviewing these key readiness items before our pallet racking systems crew rolls in:
1. Dock and path clearance: Confirm that the receiving dock can accept a long trailer and that an open, forklift-friendly route exists from dock doors to the install zone. This avoids costly hand-carrying or re-handling of heavy rack components.
2. Power and lighting: Supply at least one 120-volt, 20-amp circuit in the work area. Verify that existing lighting is bright enough for safe assembly or schedule temporary lights.
3. Floor condition: Sweep, repair spalls, and remove anchors from any prior racks so installers can shoot new anchors accurately. A level, debris-free slab speeds layout and meets seismic specs called out in your warehouse layout design.
4. Clear staging space: Relocate inventory, pallets, and forklifts so installers have a minimum 10-ft wide aisle to stage uprights, beams, and wire decking. If you’re replacing racks, schedule a phased teardown so half the floor stays open.
5. Waste management: Position an empty dumpster or compactor for cardboard, plastic wrap, and scrap steel.
Completing these steps lets our material handling systems integration team finish faster, lowers safety risks, and gets your distribution center back to full productivity sooner.