Draft Details

1.1 General

This Standard is limited to free-standing, selective-type storage racks where the principal structural components are upright frames and load support beams. These storage racks include selective rack, double-deep rack, very narrow aisle (VNA) rack, push-back rack, pallet flow rack, pallet shuttle rack, and automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) rack.

Note: Storage racks are typically used to store unit loads and loaded by using powered lift equipment.

The selective-type storage racks consist of regularly spaced, braced frames in the cross-aisle direction and parallel, multi-level moment resisting frames or concentrically braced frames in the down-aisle direction.

Note: There are limited racks produced with moment frames in both the down-aisle and cross-aisle directions. This introduces biaxial bending in the column, which has not been considered in the Standard.

This Standard applies only to steel racks constructed of hot-rolled or cold-formed sections, or a combination thereof.

1.2 Application

This standard does not apply to the following storage racks:

cantilever racks;

drive-in and drive-through racks;

portable racks;

rack structures supporting floors or walkways;

rack-supported buildings; and

all other storage structures not specified in Clause 1.1.

Note: Certain parts of this Standard, particularly the structural demand criteria, may be used as guidance when designing rack structures outside the scope of this Standard as there are additional force effects on these systems that are not considered in this Standard.

1.3 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.