PALLET RACKING BUYING CHECKLIST — WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE YOU SIGN
Published 18 July 2026 · 8 min read
Use this UK checklist with every pallet racking supplier before signing. It's the same checklist we use internally — 25 items grouped into six sections. Anything a supplier can't answer in writing should be a red flag.
1. Warehouse & Site
- Clear internal height measured (to lowest obstruction, not roof steel).
- Column-free floor area drawn and dimensioned.
- Floor slab thickness and load rating confirmed.
- Sprinkler head positions marked (clearance 500 mm above top pallet).
- Access route for delivery trucks confirmed.
2. Stock & MHE
- Peak pallet count + 15–25% growth allowance documented.
- Actual heaviest pallet weight recorded (not target weight).
- Pallet type (UK 1200×1000 or Euro 1200×800) confirmed.
- MHE type (counterbalance / reach / VNA) and turn radius supplied to designer.
- Pick strategy agreed (ground-level pick faces, mezzanine, or full-height).
3. System & Design
- System type justified (APR, drive-in, push-back, narrow-aisle, cantilever) — see types of pallet racking.
- Beam length matched to pallet size (no wasted bay width).
- Frame capacity confirmed for actual beam pitch — see load capacity guide.
- Column protection and end-of-aisle guards included on drawing.
- Mesh or timber decking specified where cartons stored directly.
4. Compliance & Documentation
- SEMA compliance statement provided.
- Load notices for every run included.
- Installer SEIRS registration verified.
- £10m public liability + £5m employer's liability certificates supplied.
- Full RAMS (Risk Assessment / Method Statement) issued before install.
- Post-install SEMA inspection scheduled — see racking inspections.
5. Commercial
- Quote priced per pallet position (not just per bay).
- Delivery and installation clearly listed as separate items.
- Payment terms written (no cash-only or upfront 100% deals).
- Guarantee period stated (12 months structural minimum).
- Written lead time for delivery and installation.
6. Post-Install
- Load notices fitted on every run at handover.
- Staff briefing on damage reporting and rack-safe operation.
- Annual SEMA inspection in the diary.
- Digital records of load notices, drawings and inspection stored.
The Six Red Flags
- Quote priced only per bay, with no pallet-position figure.
- Won't visit for a site survey.
- No load notices offered.
- No SEIRS-registered installers.
- Won't share insurance certificates.
- Cash-only or 100%-upfront payment.
If any of these show up, walk away. There are dozens of compliant UK suppliers — UM Storage Systems included — who will meet every item on this checklist.
Use This Checklist Today
Book a free site survey, get a same-day quote from our cost estimator, or call 0800 246 1536 to talk through your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be on a pallet racking buying checklist?
Warehouse measurements, pallet count and weights, MHE type and turn radius, slab thickness, sprinkler positions, budget, timeline, SEMA compliance, load notices, installer competency (SEIRS), £10m PL insurance and post-install inspection.
What's the single most important item on the checklist?
Load notices. A racking install without correct load notices is non-compliant, uninsurable and will fail its first HSE or insurer inspection — regardless of how good the steel is.
Do I need to check the supplier's insurance?
Yes. £10m public liability and £5m employer's liability are the UK minimums for racking installers. Ask for certificates dated within the last 12 months before you sign.
How do I verify SEMA compliance?
Ask for the supplier's SEMA compliance statement, request the manufacturer name and part codes for each component, and check installer registration on the SEIRS website.
Should I ask for references?
Always. Two recent installs of similar size, ideally in the same region, with contact numbers you can call. Any professional supplier hands these over immediately.
What red flags should make me walk away?
No load notices offered, no SEIRS-registered installers, quote priced only per bay (not per pallet position), no RAMS provided, unwilling to give a site survey, no post-install inspection included.
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