Technical Inspection of Racking (ITX)
What is an inspection and why is it so important?
The Technical Racking Inspection (ITX) is a mandatory, thorough review of a warehouse’s racks to detect damage, deformations, or any failure that could compromise their structural integrity. Performing it periodically is crucial to prevent serious accidents and ensure a safe working environment.
ADVANTAGES
of the Inspection
Risk Prevention
Identifies and corrects issues before they cause accidents, protecting your employees and goods.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensures your facility complies with current regulations, avoiding penalties and legal liabilities.
Cost Optimization
Preventive maintenance is always more economical than a major repair or replacing structures.
Extended Service Life
Early detection of problems extends the useful life of your racking, protecting your long-term investment.
DRAWBACKS
of not performing the Inspection
Fines and Penalties
It may lead to significant economic sanctions by the Labor Inspectorate and criminal liability in the event of a serious or fatal accident.
Non-compliance
Not carrying out the annual Technical Inspection breaches the current regulatory framework according to Royal Decree 1215/1997 and standard UNE-EN 15635.
High Repair Costs
Failures not detected in time can lead to much more costly and complex repairs in the long term, often requiring a total shutdown of operations.
Loss of Service Life
Lack of Inspection allows short-term correctable structural damage to accumulate, forcing premature replacement of the installation.
Regulatory Framework
The inspection carried out by our team of ITX technicians is governed by a solid Regulatory Framework that guarantees safety and reliability at every step.
At ATOX, we do not rely on a single standard; instead, we have in-depth knowledge of a set of key standards that complement each other, ensuring a comprehensive assessment.
- Purpose: This standard is the fundamental pillar for racking users. It establishes the frequency of inspections, providing tools that help identify and manage damage.
- Key Points for Inspection:
- User obligation: The standard defines the responsibility of the PRSES (Person Responsible for the Safety of Storage Equipment) to organize inspections, implement a damage control system, and ensure repairs are carried out safely and promptly.
- Classification system: Establishes the Traffic-Light System (green, amber, and red), allowing the severity of damage to be classified and immediate measures to be taken based on risk.
- Purpose: It is the technical basis on which racks are designed. Although it is not a direct inspection standard, it is crucial for understanding load calculations and design specifications that an inspector must know.
- Key Points for Inspection:
- Load and deflection criteria: This standard sets limits for load capacity and acceptable deflections. An inspector uses these principles to understand why a beam with sag or an upright with buckling are critical issues.
- Manufacturing tolerances: Defines manufacturing tolerances that underpin correct assembly and rack performance.
- Purpose: This standard is the practical guide for Inspection. It precisely details tolerance limits for installation and the maximum allowable deformation values for each component.
- Key Points for Inspection:
- Load plates: Defines the minimum content, visibility, and format of specification plates, which are mandatory on all racks. An inspector must verify these plates are correct and present.
- Deformation values: Provides exact measurements (in millimeters) of acceptable deviations in uprights, beams, and other elements, making the inspection an objective and measurable process.
- Purpose: This standard focuses on communication between the user and the manufacturer. It ensures the equipment is designed safely for the specific needs of the facility.
- Key Points for Inspection:
- Conditions of use: An inspector should know this standard to understand whether the handling equipment (such as forklifts), load unit characteristics (pallets), or any other operational factor align with the specifications for which the racking was designed.
- Purpose: This law is the legal framework that requires the employer to ensure the safety of all work equipment (including racks and forklifts) and adequate training for workers.
- Key Points for Inspection:
- Employer responsibility: Emphasizes the importance of staff being properly trained for load handling and the safe use of racking—an essential point for any inspector.
ATOX Technical Inspection Service | ITX
Our inspection service covers a wide and diverse range of storage systems, regardless of brand or manufacturer.
Conventional Systems
Palet Racking:We focus on the backbone of modern warehouses. We perform a meticulous examination of frames, beams, and their connectors. We verify correct installation, the verticality of the structure, and the integrity of floor anchors. We look for any kind of buckling, deformation, cracking, or dent that compromises load capacity.
Drive-in and Drive-through Compact Systems:
These space-maximizing systems require special attention to guide rails and support beams. We inspect the verticality and alignment of aisles and look for damage caused by internal forklift impacts. Structural integrity is vital to avoid domino collapse.
Dynamic Systems (Flow Rack):
Beyond the structure, we focus on the proper functioning of roller systems and brakes. Poor operation can cause a snowball effect and damage goods. We verify that rollers spin smoothly, pallet stops are in place, and the system operates overall in a smooth and safe manner.
Push-back Systems:
We inspect rails and moving carts to ensure there are no deformations that prevent correct movement of loads. A failure in the cart system can block access to goods and create a safety risk.
Manual Load or Picking Systems:
Although these systems do not use forklifts, they are equally important. The inspection focuses on shelves, crossbars, and elevated aisles. We verify correct fastening, absence of deformations, and structural stability to ensure a safe working environment for staff operating manually.
Cantilever Racking:
Ideal for storing long and bulky loads such as tubes or timber. In inspecting this system, we check the alignment and verticality of columns, the stability of bases, and proper fixing of arms. We verify there are no deformations in load arms nor impact damage that could compromise the safety of stored material.
Mezzanines and Elevated Walkways:
Beyond racking, we inspect the complete structure of the walkway. We review guardrails, stairs, floors, and joints to detect any sign of fatigue or damage. Safety in these areas is critical, so we verify load resistance, proper signage, and absence of obstacles.
Automated Warehouses:
These systems require a Specialized Inspection. We focus on the interaction between racking and stacker cranes. We look for any deformation or misalignment in rails and structure that may affect machine movement. Precision is crucial in these environments, and a small deviation can cause a costly and dangerous failure.
ATOX Added Value
Multibrand Service
Our experience is not limited to a single manufacturer. We perform technical inspections for any racking brand, as safety regulations are applicable at the European level without distinction.
Engineering Collaboration
If required, our department collaborates with external engineering services to carry out load calculations (and their certification) for racking from any supplier, providing a complete and accurate technical assessment.
PRSES Training
In addition to inspections, we offer training courses for PRSES. These courses train your operators to safely and professionally assess damage, meeting the minimum training required by regulations.
Technical Report and Logistics Advisory
Delivery of a detailed report including layout plan, photographs, and repair recommendations. If operational needs require it, we propose reconfigurations of aisles, heights/levels, or systems to improve efficiency.
Trust ATOX to ensure your warehouse is a safe and efficient space.
FAQs
Yes, it is mandatory. Royal Decree 1215/1997 requires employers to ensure the safety of work equipment, and UNE-EN 15635 establishes the obligation of periodic inspection.
Regulations require that the inspection be carried out by external, professional, and expert personnel at least once a year. Only the daily/weekly/monthly inspection (visual control) can be performed by internal staff (PRSES).
A Technical Inspection of the warehouse by an expert is required at least once every 12 months.
Failure to perform the mandatory Technical Inspection may result in sanctions, heavy fines, and—in the event of an accident—legal liabilities (civil or criminal) for the company and/or the employer.
At ATOX, with more than 50 years of experience in the storage sector, we aim to offer a comprehensive service to our clients. To this end, we have a team of qualified, specialized inspectors in continuous training. As added value in Inspection, we offer multibrand solutions and PRSES training.
The impact is minimal. Our team works in a planned and coordinated manner with your team to carry out the Inspection in phases, ensuring continuity of your activity.
The duration varies according to the size of the warehouse and the type of storage system, but we plan the visit to be as efficient and quick as possible.
You will receive a detailed Technical Report that includes a plan, a damage sheet with risk classification, and photographic evidence. You will also be given the safety manual for your storage system to improve the operation of your facilities.
Our Sales Team will present you with an offer to correct the non-conformities detected so that you can continue operating in conditions that are safe for your workers and in accordance with the Regulations.
You just need to contact us or leave your contact details and our ITX team will handle your request. You can do so through different channels:
Phone: +34 680 230 061 / +34 985 310 111
Email: itx@grupoatox.com
Through the following form.