Integrated Racking Structure Enables Safe Expansion at ITM Picton
17/02/2026
ITM Picton
Case Study: Engineering Repeatable Growth for Regional Trade Suppliers
For regional trade suppliers like ITM, expanding storage capacity is a commercial necessity that often hits a regulatory wall. When racking systems integrate with a building’s primary structure, they stop being "equipment" and become "engineered structures" subject to strict NZ Building Code compliance.
At ITM Picton (5–7 Devon Street), Brevity was engaged to provide structural and seismic engineering for a steel Integrated Racking Structure (IRS) designed to support high-density storage in a demanding environment.
The Challenge: Racking as a Structural Asset
Modern storage systems often support roof members or resist significant environmental loads like wind and seismic actions. Treating these systems as temporary additions leads to:
- Compliance Delays: Difficulty obtaining building consents without a structural PS1.
- Operational Risk: Potential for slab settlement or frame instability under earthquake loads.
- Inconsistent Safety: Varying standards across different regional branches.
The Solution: Integrated Engineering and Digital Validation
Brevity provided a PS1 Producer Statement confirming compliance with NZBC Clause B1 Structure. Rather than a "one-off" fix, the engineering for ITM Picton utilised a scalable framework to ensure predictable performance across the site’s specific conditions.
The engineering scope included:
- Load Path Analysis: Safely transferring stored material weight through racking frames into the concrete slab.
- Environmental Resistance: Engineering tall rack frames to resist specific seismic and wind actions.
- Hybrid Integration: Designing roof support members and connections that link storage frames to the building envelope.
Key Industry Takeaways
- PS1 is Non-Negotiable: Integrated Racking Structures (IRS) require formal engineering certification to satisfy local council requirements and insurance obligations.
- Slab Integrity: Engineering must account for anchorage and connection design to prevent slab overstressing under peak operational loads.
- Repeatable Compliance: By validating storage products at a system level, suppliers can roll out compliant designs across multiple regions without redesigning from scratch each time.
- Safety as a Growth Enabler: Properly engineered systems allow for higher storage density and safer forklift operations, directly supporting business expansion.
Outcome
ITM Picton now operates with a fully compliant IRS that meets all structural and seismic requirements under AS/NZS 1170 and AS 4084. By making the engineering straightforward and repeatable, Brevity ensures that regional merchants can focus on their customers, knowing their infrastructure is safe and compliant.
Relevant resources
Engineering New Zealand — Producer Statements Guidance
Explains PS1 and PS4 statements used for building consent compliance.
https://www.engineeringnz.org/engineer-tools/engineering-documents/producer-statements/
NZS 1170.5 Earthquake Actions Standard
Defines seismic design requirements in New Zealand.
https://www.standards.govt.nz/shop/nzs-1170-52004/
AS/NZS 1170 Structural Design Actions
Standards governing structural loading requirements.
https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-nzs-1170-0-2002
AS 4084 Steel Storage Racking Design Standard
Standard governing steel storage rack design and performance.
https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-4084-1-2023
MBIE Building Performance — NZBC Clause B1 Structure
Guidance supporting compliance with structural performance requirements.
https://www.building.govt.nz/building-code-compliance/b-stability/b1-structure/
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