Buying a second-hand storage rack is an excellent way of cutting costs while efficiently equipping a warehouse. However, before any installation, a full inspection is essential to guarantee the safety, stability and conformity of the equipment. A poorly inspected rack can pose major risks: collapse, damage to loads, accidents to staff, etc.
Here’s a clear, professional guide to checking a used rack before putting it into service.
1. Check the general condition of the structure
The first step is to visually inspect all components for signs of fatigue or wear:
- Corrosion: rust spots, flaking paint, perforations.
- Deformations: bent posts, collapsed rails, crushed uprights.
- Impacts: impact marks caused by forklift trucks.
- Cracks or breaks: particularly on welds, end caps or plates.
A second-hand structure may show minor marks, but no structural deformation should be tolerated.
2. Check the posts and uprights
The uprights carry all the vertical load, so they must be carefully inspected.
Please check :
- Verticality (no visible buckling).
- The condition of the plates (no cracks or bent sheet metal).
- Correct fixing holes that have not been enlarged by wear and tear.
- The right thickness and rigidity of the metal.
The posts are the element that suffers most from impacts in the warehouse: a damaged post must be replaced, not repaired by hand.
3. Examine the healds
The rails provide direct support for the pallets. Before installation, check :
- No twisting or sagging.
- Intact hooks (not broken or bent).
- Correct fixing in the uprights (no play).
- The presence or possibility of adding safety pins.
A deformed rail no longer guarantees its original load-bearing capacity.
4. Analysing accessories and safety features
Second-hand racks may arrive incomplete. You therefore need to make an inventory and check:
- Safety pins (essential to prevent the rails from becoming dislodged).
- Metal shelves or gratings.
- Stops, shoes, low guards.
- Spacers for narrow aisles or double-depth racks.
- Load plates (although these will need updating).
Accessories make a major contribution to overall rack safety.
5. Check compatibility between components
When you buy second-hand, sometimes the lots are mixed or made up of parts from different manufacturers or series.
Make sure that :
- The rails and uprights are mechanically compatible.
- The attachment system is identical (claws, catches, studs, etc.).
- Load capacities match.
- Rack height and depth to suit your pallets.
Mixing incompatible components is dangerous and prohibited in a professional context.
6. Check load capacity and request technical information
Even second-hand racks must be installed in accordance with their rated capacities.
Ask or check:
- Technical data sheets.
- Load capacities by level.
- Maximum permissible load per ladder.
- Conditions of use (indoors, outdoors, humid environment, etc.).
If the data is not available, a professional estimate or technical calculation is required.
7. Check that the rack has not undergone any dangerous repairs.
Some home repairs are not recommended:
- Improvised welding.
- Force-straightened sheet metal.
- Reinforcements added without calculation.
- Additional cut-outs or holes.
A rack repaired incorrectly will lose its original certification.
In this case: compulsory replacement.
8. Check stability and provide fixing
Before installation, make sure that :
- The rack can be securely fixed to the floor using the plates.
- The floor is flat and sufficiently resistant.
- Ground protectors will be installed where there is a lot of trolley traffic.
A stable structure protects equipment, goods and staff.
Conclusion
Inspecting a used rack is more than just a formality: it’s an essential step in ensuring the safety of your warehouse. By checking the condition of the uprights, rails, accessories, compatibility and load capacities, you can avoid the risk of accidents and ensure a durable, reliable installation.
If any components look suspect, warped or incompatible, it’s best to replace them immediately.
A second-hand rack that has been properly inspected can have a very productive second life, as long as it is rigorously checked.