Who needs engineered racking?
If your pallet racking measures over 8 ft tall, you are required to procure engineered documentation that demonstrates the system is seismically safe. British Columbia is located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, meaning that geographically, the region has high seismic activity. City bylaws across the Lower Mainland require all 8-foot-plus racking be engineered.
If you are using non-engineered racking over 8 ft, your company could be held liable for the performance of that racking not just during seismic activity but also in the event of an accident.
How do I engineer my rack?
The process is started with a custom assessment of your storage needs and weights. Clients will need to provide the following:
- Concrete information: thickness of slab, PSI or MPA value
- Geotechnical data: soil class type, FA and FV values
How PRIBC can help engineer your rack
We will meet with you, inspect your space and follow the initial steps outlined above. PRIBC can provide floor plans and documentation to sufficiently demonstrate that the proposed racking/shelving – and the building where it will be installed – will conform to the 2012 B.C. Building Code.
PRIBC can also provide a signed and sealed letter from a structural engineer that confirms soil conditions, seismic restraints and existing slab capacity are capable of supporting loads imposed by your racking/shelving, in accordance with the B.C. Building Code.