ANSI, or the American National Standards Institute, is a US-based organization that provides guidelines for standards and workplace safety. Regarding the shipping industry, ANSI is the publisher of the Rack Manufacturer’s Institute, or RMI, guidelines for guidelines in the United States. So, what is new for 2023? Below we will highlight the essential details of ANSI’s procedures for racking, as prescribed by the Rack Manufacturer’s Institute.
ANSI MH16.1-2023
Industrial steel storage racks must meet minimal requirements laid out in the ANSI MH16.1-2023 standard before they may be designed, tested, or used. This section discusses automated storage and retrieval systems, movable-shelf racks, and rack-supported systems (sometimes known as “stacker racks”). These systems are all made of structural cold-forged and hot-rolled steel sections. In 2023 this provision has been modified to meet the standards of ASCE/SEI 7-2022, which can be purchased and referenced here. This year’s Major changes include guidance on installing software for seismic tracking and new methods for obtaining the data necessary for seismic response coefficients.
To review the standards and specifications directly, you can find them with a request from RMI itself. Web links to RMI’s standards include:
https://www.mhi.org/rmi and through their FAQ at https://www.mhi.org/rmi/faq
Racking provisions covered under the ANSI MH16.1-2023 include the following:
- Steel storage racks – structural steel and roll-formed
- Push-back rack
- Pallet flow rack
- Carton flow rack
- Movable-shelf racks
- Rack-supported storage systems – stacker rack
- Rack supported buildings
- Rack-supported platforms
- Automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS)
- Pick modules
Note: This article does not cover guidelines for things such as cantilever racks, portable racking, or non-steel material racking.
If you are a racking manufacturer or utilize a racking system, there are a few takeaways from this year’s guidelines that may require some overhaul and system monitoring updates.
How Does ANSI Police These Guidelines?
In a nutshell, ANSI cannot enforce these guidelines, and compliance is not essential at their base level. However, while ANSI holds no legal authority, as it is a non-profit, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) utilizes the ANSI racking guidelines. OSHA uses the ANSI guidelines as its basis for enforcement, and failure to comply can result in fines or legal action in extreme circumstances. If you are a racking system operator, then it is advised that you use the resource links provided above to ensure that your design and installation meet the minimum criteria.
Do These Guidelines Change Every Year?
ANSI has provided guidelines for racking every five years since the standard was set in 2008. You should not worry about new racking guidance until 2028 unless policy changes are implemented. Changes in the ANSI provisions result from industry growth and standard changes alongside court precedents set in the interim between new directions being issued. If you want to keep ahead of the curve and see what changes are coming in the future, be sure to follow RMI’s progress and yearly reports.
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