Considering buying used racking?
August 1st 2009 There is a vibrant second hand pallet
racking market in the UK. However it is
perhaps not as big a market as you might
think, according to e-Racking.
Before deciding whether to buy second
hand you must ensure that you have taken
all reasonable precautions to ensure that
the racking is safe. Logically there is no
difference between racking that you may
have purchased new say five years ago and
then dismantled and re-erected in another
building to used racking purchased from a
third party of the same age. But in this
second scenario can you be sure of how the
racking has been looked after. One of the
biggest problems with racking is if it has
been kept outside for any period of time. If
it has the inside of the beams could be
rusting thus affecting the load carrying
capacity.
Some recommendations:
1) Only buy second hand if you know the
history of the racking from new;
2) Beware of 'refurbished' racking, this
could mean that the rust has been
painted over;
3) Only buy the racking if it has been kept
inside;
4) Only buy the racking if the supplier will
put SEMA load notices on the racks;
5) Only buy racking that is still readily
available new, should spares be needed;
6) Always get a price for new as believe it
or not it can sometimes be cheaper.
Further information on all types of
racking, new and second hand, can be
found at www.palletracking.com. The
website provides free impartial advice on
issues such as ensuring correct installation
of pallet racking, as well as information of
the types of racking on the market and how
to identify different types of racking. More articles from E-Racking Ltd (Insolvent FEB 2010): | 
