SWL and Maintenance Charts
Under AS 4084-1993 (1.6.1.e) for installations not exceeding 4500mm in height to the highest shelf beam, covering a floor area less than 300m2, not including aisles, and having a unit load not exceeding 10kN, the requirements of attaching SWL signage and supplying drawings could be waived.
THIS CLAUSE WAS REMOVED WITH THE RELEASE OF AS4084-2012.
Any Load Chart supplied post 2012 is required to have attached the relevant 2012 SWL information. However, where an installation requires an updated Load Chart supplied and the “original” installation has not been refitted and/or adjusted, the Load Chart may stipulate a supplied date instead of an installation date. All racking systems are designed to carry a particular load. Loads in racking systems are generally measured at a number of levels. These include:
- At the bay level within the racking system
- At a shelf or pair of beams levels
- At the individual or unit level (pallet, skid or carton)
Racking systems should be loaded according to their load rating.
The Safe Working Load (SWL) signage board that is attached to a system will be entirely dependent on the year of installation. Regardless of the year of installation under AS084-2012 [frames identified as] Selective Adjustable Pallet Racking shall be fitted with a SWL sign.
Note: This stipulation does not apply to Long Span Shelving bays.
Overloading a racking system can damage it and in extreme cases cause a collapse.
SWL signage requirements forAS4084-2023 [are not retrospective and apply to new installations post 2023 only].
