Cold Storage Racking Inspections
Cold Storage Pallet Racking Inspections By SEMA Approved Racking Inspectors
Cold stores play a vital role in the food, pharmaceutical, and logistics industries, providing temperature-controlled environments for perishable goods.
To maximise efficiency and safety, these facilities often utilise racking systems to store large quantities of stock. However, due to the challenging conditions within cold stores, racking damage can often go unnoticed, leading to serious safety risks.
This is why annual racking inspections conducted by a SEMA-approved inspector are crucial to maintaining structural integrity and operational safety.
Why Cold Store/Freezer Chamber Racking Inspections Are Essential
Racking systems in cold stores are subject to unique stresses, including temperature fluctuations, forklift impact, and ice buildup. Unlike ambient warehouses, cold store racking must withstand extreme conditions while supporting heavy loads. Regular inspections help to:
- Identify hidden structural damage
- Prevent potential rack collapses
- Ensure compliance with safety regulations
- Maintain optimal storage efficiency
- Offer health and safety advice
- Highlight areas of concern before damages occur & offer expert preventative guidance
- Reduce your long-term racking costs and ensure system longevity
The Hidden Risks of Unnoticed Racking Damage
Cold store racking often suffers damage that goes undetected due to limited visibility and harsh conditions. The most common causes of racking damage in cold stores include:
- Forklift Impacts: Frequent loading and unloading operations can result in accidental collisions with racking.
- Corrosion and Wear: Metal components can degrade over time, especially in humid environments where condensation forms and freezes.
- Overloading: Racking in cold stores is designed for specific weight capacities; exceeding these limits can cause serious structural issues.
- Ice Formation: Moisture accumulation can freeze on racking, adding extra weight and creating unstable load distributions.
Neglecting these issues can lead to sudden rack failures, which can damage stock, disrupt operations, pose serious safety hazards to workers as well as result in compliance and liability issues.
SEMA-Approved Inspectors
A SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) approved inspector is thoroughly trained and tested to carry out thorough racking inspections in accordance with HSE & SEMA standards.
Their expertise ensures that all damage, from minor damages to critical structural weaknesses, is accurately assessed and properly reported.
Preventing Ice Build up to Maintain Structural Integrity
- Regular Defrosting: Periodically defrosting the cold store prevents excessive ice buildup.
- Monitoring Humidity Levels: Controlling moisture in the air reduces the risk of ice forming on racking.
- Sealing Doorways and Gaps: Preventing warm air from entering the cold store minimizes condensation and subsequent ice formation.
- Frequent Cleaning and Inspections: Checking for ice accumulation and clearing it promptly can prevent structural stress on racking.
The Role of Mobile Racking Systems in Cold Stores/Freezer Chambers
Mobile racking systems are widely used in cold stores to maximise storage capacity by allowing racks to move laterally, reducing the need for multiple aisles.
These systems offer high-density storage while maintaining accessibility to products. However, mobile racks are subject to additional stresses due to their movement, making regular inspections and maintenance even more critical.
- Increased Wear and Tear: The constant movement of mobile racks places additional strain on components such as rails, wheels, and locking mechanisms.
- Alignment and Stability Checks: Ensuring that tracks are properly aligned and that racks remain stable during movement prevents operational issues and accidents.
- Regular Lubrication and Maintenance: Keeping moving parts well-lubricated and free from ice buildup ensures smooth operation and longevity.
- Load Distribution Monitoring: Ensuring even weight distribution on mobile racks helps prevent excessive strain and potential failures.
Maintaining mobile racking systems in good, serviceable condition is essential for the safety and efficiency of cold storage operations.
Any misalignment, mechanical failure, or structural weakness can lead to serious safety hazards.
Customers We Have Carried Out Inspections For
Why choose UK Rack Inspection For Your Cold Store/FreezerChamber Racking Inspection?
At UK Rack Inspection, we know racking inspections in cold stores are essential for safety, compliance, and efficiency. With a full Flexi Tog cold store kit for all of our inspectors, we make sure we attend the site ready to begin your inspection and create no burden to yourselves.
Our experience within cold stores, along with our proactive approach, ensures we can provide you with a thorough and in-depth system inspection along with our fully detailed report to follow.
By having your cold store rack inspection undertaken by our SEMA-approved inspectors, this will ensure you are able to best protect your assets, employees and stock, ensuring smooth and safe operations within your cold store.
- Over 30 years of industry experience
- SEMA approved Pallet Racking & Cantilever Racking inspectors
- Nationwide coverage
- Clear and concise reporting
- Fully compliant to the latest HSE & SEMA regulations
- Independent inspections & training provider
- Cold Store Racking Inspections
- Inspections tailored to your requirements - monthly to annually
Maximising Storage Efficiency: Racking Solutions in Cold Stores/Freezer Chambers
Cold stores utilise a variety of racking systems to maximise space and efficiency. The three most common solutions are adjustable pallet racking (APR), block storage racking, and mobile racking systems.
- Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR):
- Provides flexibility for different pallet sizes.
- Allows easy access to individual pallets.
- Ideal for mixed product storage.
- Drive-In Racking:
- Maximises storage density by allowing forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure.
- Ideal for bulk storage of uniform products.
- Uses a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) system, making it suitable for products with long shelf lives.
- Mobile Racking Systems:
- High-density storage with increased space utilisation.
- Racks move on rails to reduce aisle space when not in use.
- Requires meticulous maintenance to ensure smooth operation and prevent mechanical failures.
Cold stores with efficient racking solutions can increase storage capacity, streamline operations, and maintain product integrity.
Racking Manufacturers We Commonly Inspect
Our Commitment
- Safety and Compliance: We ensure the compatibility and suitability of your storage equipment with the highest safety standards.
- Expert Guidance: We provide guidance on rack-related health and safety issues, keeping you updated with regulations and helping you address areas showing signs of repetitive damages before they require replacement components.
- Load Suitability: We assess the pallet and pallet load suitability on-site, ensuring everything is in line with current configurations and manufacturer specifications.
- Health & Safety: Our inspections help you achieve and maintain compliance with health and safety legislations, ensuring your racking installations meet manufacturer specifications and relevant load notices.
Rack Inspection Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are racking inspections important in cold storage facilities?
Cold storage racking is exposed to extreme temperatures, ice buildup, and frequent forklift use, all of which can lead to hidden structural damage. Regular inspections help identify potential hazards, prevent collapses, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
Are racking inspections a legal requirement in the UK?
Yes, racking inspections are a legal requirement in the UK under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other associated regulations, such as the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). These laws mandate that all work equipment, including pallet racking systems, must be safe to use and regularly maintained. Failure to comply can lead to legal penalties, accidents, and downtime.
For a detailed overview of the regulations and why compliance is essential, read our comprehensive article on whether racking inspections are a legal requirement in the UK. It provides clear guidance on the standards you must meet to ensure safety and legality in your warehouse.
How often should cold store racking be inspected?
It is recommended to have a SEMA-approved racking inspection at least once a year. However, in high-traffic cold stores with frequent loading and unloading, more frequent internal checks should be conducted to spot early signs of damage.
What are the biggest risks to racking in cold storage?
The most common risks include:
- Forklift impacts – accidental collisions can weaken racking structures.
- Corrosion and wear – condensation and freezing can degrade metal components.
- Overloading – exceeding weight limits puts stress on racking.
- Ice formation – frozen moisture can create unstable load distributions.
How can I prevent ice buildup on my racking?
To reduce ice accumulation:
- Regularly defrost the cold store to prevent excessive buildup.
- Monitor humidity levels to control moisture.
- Seal doorways and gaps to stop warm air from entering.
- Carry out frequent cleaning and inspections to spot ice-related risks early.
What types of racking are commonly used in cold storage?
The most popular racking solutions include:
- Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR) – flexible and ideal for mixed product storage.
- Drive-In Racking – high-density storage, perfect for bulk stock.
- Mobile Racking Systems – maximises space by reducing aisle width when not in use.
What are the benefits of using a SEMA approved inspector?
- We will ensure compatibility and suitability of your storage equipment
- Fully Approved Inspectors as recognised by the HSE
- We Carry out an in depth inspection process in order to provide you with a fully detailed report with locations and remedial actions listed
- Enable you to achieve and maintain compliance with regards to Health and safety legislations & PUWER regulations.
- Check that your racking installation has been installed to manufacturer specifications
- Ensure load notices are in line and relevant to the racking current configurations
- Offer guidance on areas that may be showing signs of repetitive damages, capturing areas before damages requiring replacement components
- Assess the pallet and pallet load suitability on site
- Offer guidance on rack related health and safety issues, keeping you up to date with regulations
- Give an in depth specification of the storage equipment
- Full client debrief following the inspection where recordings can be found and guidance given
Aren’t all racking inspectors SEMA approved anyway?
The answer is no.
Our advice is to always ask for the inspectors SARI number of which is an individual identification number assigned to each SEMA approved inspector, this should be identifiable on your racking inspection report also.
Furthermore, there are PUWER racking inspectors offering a damage report only style of report. Our concern with this type of inspection is a questionable compliance and that vital installation or health and safety issues would likely not be identified.
Our view is that if you are looking for a racking inspector why would you not want a full audit from a qualified inspector opposed to a brief overview.
Should a racking inspection be carried out annually only?
A racking inspection should be undertaken on an annual basis, when racks have been moved, or reconfigured.
Should repairs or installations be undertaken by a none SEMA approved installer (SIERS) it is advised that an inspection be carried out before the system is used to ensure it has been built or repaired to standard.
In house inspections should also be carried out by trained personnel at regular intervals throughout the year in between annual professional inspections.
The personnel should attend a racking awareness course and have a certified level of competence, they may then undertake your internal inspections of which should be recorded to satisfy auditor and HSE requirements.
Will any guidance or assistance be given after the inspection?
We strive to offer a great aftercare service to our customers and in doing so have built relationships up and down the country.
We are always on hand to offer help and guidance to ensure you are always one step ahead of all things rack related.
Although we work as a fully independent inspection company we do have highly recommended contacts within the storage industry of whom are all certified SEMA members offering repairs and installations.
This information can be given should you request any repairs or installations after your inspection.
Why should I use UK rack inspection for my annual racking inspection?
The UK rack inspection team have been in the storage industry for over 30 years, building expertise, knowledge and assisting customers across the UK. We then looked to build something of our own to be able to offer a next level service we feel is vital for our customers. Our experience has enabled us to have an insight as to what we must do to be the best we possibly can.
We are and we will:
- Accredited In House SEMA Approved Inspectors (SARI)
- Offer clear and concise reporting to customers
- Communicate any immediate actionable findings whilst leaving a RED risk report with our site contact when required
- Independent SEMA Inspectors to prevent conflict of interest
- Inspect to detailed SEMA standards
- Offer damage prevention recommendations where necessary
- Ensure racking has been installed and is being used to manufacturer specifications and recommendations
- Be on hand for any assistance required after the inspection has been submitted