The latest installment of the technical webinar series, hosted by Gye Simkin and joined by senior engineer Siamak Mosaferi, focused on the recent updates to the steel storage racking standard AS 4084. The release of AS 4084:2023 marks a significant development for stakeholders in the racking industry, including suppliers, designers, and engineers.

The 2023 update of AS 4084 has been split into two parts: the first addresses the design of racking structures, including load capacities, while the second provides guidelines for operation and maintenance to ensure ongoing safety and efficiency. Existing racking designed before the 2012 version should meet the current standards, but racking designed in the last 11 years may require regulatory action if modifications have been made.

Key design parameter changes include an increase in ductility factors and adjustments to the structural performance factor, which can no longer be less than one. The seismic mass coefficient has also been updated, affecting the calculation of seismic loads on storage racks.

The webinar underscored the importance of safe working load (SWL) signage, emphasizing that it must always reflect the current configuration of the racking system and be updated following any modifications. The newly introduced standards stipulate that annual audits of racking systems are conducted by competent persons from external providers to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

The question and answer session revealed further clarifications, such as the role of racking suppliers in inspections, the unchanged design life of racks, and the requirement for routine inspections to be conducted annually by a competent person.

The session concluded with the presenters encouraging attendees to reach out with any further questions and to suggest topics for future webinars.

The updates to AS 4084:2023 are a testament to the industry’s commitment to safety and innovation, ensuring that racking structures not only meet current regulatory requirements but also adapt to the evolving demands of storage efficiency and safety.