Requirements and Regulations Specific to Racking in Portland
Racking and shelving systems are subject to local requirements and regulations. Complying with these regulations make your operation safer, and protect you and your employees. It’s not always easy to know what is required, but we’re here to help! Here are some frequently asked questions and information specific to racking in Portland and the surrounding areas.
What are the High Pile Storage Requirements?
In Portland as of September 2021, any shelving systems over 12ft tall require an independent fire review. When planning for your warehouse racking system, make sure to plan on a little extra time to properly complete this review. Unfortunately, such a review may not be cheap, so check with your jurisdiction to know the cost for your budget.
What are the Seismic Separation Requirements in Portland?
Racking must be set away from walls and building columns. There is a specific math formula based on the height of your racking, which will determine the distance the racking must be away from the walls and building columns.
Are Racking Permits Required in Portland?
Yes, acquiring a pallet racking permit is a requirement for Portland storage racks. In addition, because Portland has so many older buildings, it can be more difficult to acquire permits, with more hoops to jump through. Once you pull a permit for racking, for instance, they may require other parts of the building to be brought up to code before the permit will be provided.
Luckily, Speedrack West has you covered, and we can help you through the pallet rack permit process.
Note: Due to Covid-19, since there is less in-person contact, there have been some changes made to the permit process that may delay the issuing of permits. Expect more variables and increased delays.
Portland Tends to be More Transparent About Project Status
In other jurisdictions, it’s common that you won’t know anything about the progress of a project until the project has been completed. Portland tends to be more transparent about the status of projects, and you can expect to be more informed throughout the process.
About Pallet Racks
There are many different types of warehouse shelving, all with strengths depending on your needs. Here is an overview of the different types of shelving and pallet racking, and what they would be best used for.