From Fire Damage to a New Pallet Rack Installation in Dublin, Ohio
The Story Continues…
About 25 to 30 years ago, Midwest Material Handling first supplied Keystone style pallet racking for a well-established Ace Hardware store in the Dublin, Ohio area. A longstanding local business, the store has served its community for decades. After a devastating fire a couple of years ago which destroyed part of the building and many of its contents, we recently returned to furnish and install an entirely new pallet rack system as part of the rebuilt space.
It was a full circle moment for our team. Decades after supplying the original rack, we had the opportunity to help this established business create a new storage area designed around its current needs. The new installation features teardrop style pallet racking in a redesigned outdoor area with an awning and garage doors. The space will be used to store tool rental equipment and bulk products such as bagged concrete and salt.
While replacing the original rack might sound straightforward, this project presented some unique installation challenges that required careful attention to the existing site conditions.
For the original story about the fire, check out… Keystone Style Pallet Rack Fire in Dublin, Ohio
Replacing the Original Keystone Pallet Rack
When we first supplied the original Keystone pallet racking roughly 25 to 30 years ago, it was a familiar storage solution. The system served the business for many years before the fire destroyed the building and the original installation. As the property was rebuilt, the Ace Hardware store needed a new storage system for an area dedicated to tool rentals and bulk merchandise. Midwest Material Handling returned to furnish and install a completely new system using teardrop style pallet racking.
Replacing the original rack also provided an opportunity to configure the storage area around the products and equipment the store needed to accommodate. The result is a new system designed for the rebuilt space, with wider storage openings and a layout suited to the customer’s intended use.
Working With An Existing Sidewalk
One of the more unusual aspects of this pallet rack installation was the surface beneath it. Rather than installing the rack on a new concrete floor, we installed it on an existing sidewalk. The concrete was uneven and extremely soft, presenting challenges when it came to leveling and supporting the rack uprights. A properly supported base is an important consideration with any pallet rack installation. Uneven concrete can prevent base plates from sitting properly, so the condition of the supporting surface needs to be addressed before the rack is put into service.
To accommodate the uneven sidewalk, we used shims at all of the front uprights. Instead of conventional steel shims, we selected hardened plastic shims to avoid the rusting concerns associated with steel in an outdoor environment. These details may not be obvious when looking at the completed rack, but they were an important part of adapting the installation to the existing conditions.
Installing pallet racking on an older concrete surface requires more than simply positioning the uprights and beams. The concrete’s condition, its ability to support the intended loads and the rack’s leveling and anchoring requirements must all be considered.
Nine Foot Beams for Wider Product Storage
Another feature that makes this project unique is the use of 9 foot pallet rack beams. The Ace Hardware store requested wider than usual storage openings to accommodate the products and equipment planned for this area. Standard rack configurations do not always provide the space needed for every application, particularly when storing bulky merchandise or larger rental equipment. The 9 foot beams provide wider openings for the store’s intended storage arrangement, helping accommodate tool rental equipment, bagged concrete and other bulk products.
Selecting the right rack configuration starts with understanding what needs to be stored and how the customer plans to access it. Beam length, available floor space and the dimensions and weights of the products all play a role in determining the appropriate system. By tailoring the configuration to the customer’s requirements, we helped create an organized storage area that makes better use of the available space.
A Redesigned Outdoor Area for Tool Rentals and Bulk Products
The rebuilt area features an awning and garage doors, creating a dedicated space that can be closed off and secured when needed. With the new teardrop pallet racking installed, the store has an organized area for tool rental equipment and bulk merchandise, including bagged salt, fertilizer and concrete.
The combination of the redesigned structure and new pallet rack system gives the business a practical way to organize products and equipment while making use of the designated outdoor storage area. The finished installation came together beautifully. It’s always rewarding to see a project take shape, especially when we have the opportunity to return to a customer decades after supplying the original equipment.
From Keystone Style Rack to Modern Teardrop Pallet Racking
This project also illustrates how pallet rack systems change over time. Older facilities may still have Keystone style pallet racking installed from decades ago. Finding compatible replacement components for these systems can be challenging because Keystone components are manufactured and available only through select sources and are not continuously manufactured throughout the year.
Teardrop pallet racking is widely used in modern warehouse and storage applications. Replacing an older system can provide an opportunity to reconsider beam lengths, storage configurations and the way a space is used. For businesses rebuilding after a fire, renovating an older facility or expanding their storage capacity, the right solution depends on the building, the products being stored and the conditions at the installation site.
Fire damage also requires special consideration. Pallet rack components exposed to fire should be evaluated before reuse because heat can affect the structural integrity of steel even when damage is not immediately visible. In this project, the original system was replaced with entirely new pallet racking as part of the rebuilt space.
Need New or Used Pallet Racking in Ohio?
Midwest Material Handling supplies new and used pallet racking for warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, hardware stores and businesses throughout Ohio. From replacing older rack systems to planning new storage configurations, our team works with customers to find practical solutions for their available space and storage requirements. Whether you’re outfitting a new facility, replacing damaged pallet racking or making better use of an existing storage area, we can help you explore your options.
Visit our Pallet Racking in Ohio page to learn more about our new and used pallet rack systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pallet racking be installed on existing concrete?
Pallet racking can sometimes be installed on existing concrete, depending on the condition of the surface. Uneven, deteriorated or soft concrete requires careful evaluation to determine whether it can adequately support the intended loads and accommodate the rack’s anchoring requirements.
What is the difference between keystone and teardrop pallet racking?
Keystone and teardrop pallet racking use different connection designs. Their components are not necessarily interchangeable, so identifying your existing rack is important when looking for replacement beams or uprights. Midwest Material Handling can help identify older pallet rack systems and explore replacement options.
What size pallet rack beams do I need?
The appropriate beam length depends on the products being stored, the required storage opening and the intended load capacity. Wider beams can accommodate larger products and equipment, but the rack must be properly configured for the intended application.
Does Midwest Material Handling sell and install pallet racking throughout Ohio?
Yes. Midwest Material Handling supplies new and used pallet racking for businesses throughout Ohio and beyond. We can help you explore options for replacing an older system, outfitting a new facility or improving an existing storage area.
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