narrow aisle warehouse
narrow aisle warehouse for more storage spaces
A narrow aisle warehouse is a special type of warehouse where the width is at least 1.5 m and a maximum of 1.8 m.
Table of contents
characteristics
Narrow aisle warehouses are characterized by comparatively narrow areas between the individual rows of shelves - the width is usually between 1.5 m and 1.8 m. The lifting height is up to approx. 15,000 mm. The goods can be handled according to the FIFO principle.
safety precautions
- If a forklift is used in a narrow aisle rack, all extremities must be inside the driver's cab.
- The industrial trucks used must be compatible with this type of racking. In addition to being suitable, they must also be approved.
- The direction of travel must be exactly straight ahead. This can be achieved using guide rails or a switch attached to the forklift.
- A personal protection system (PPE) on narrow aisle forklifts is essential and prevents collisions with obstacles via infrared or laser by interrupting the journey in good time.
Advantages
- Because the aisles in this type of warehouse are relatively narrow, the volume of the warehouse can be used more intensively.
- The storage and retrieval of pallets is usually faster than with other types of storage. The use of narrow aisle forklifts contributes significantly to this due to their design and function.
- Direct access to all items in the pallet racks makes work easier.
- Order picking work can be carried out in front of the pallet compartment.
- Both manual and automated procedures are used.
- The design for different loading equipment and loads is flexible.
Disadvantages
Pedestrian traffic is not permitted during operation. The reason for this is the lack of safety distance. During simultaneous manual order picking, for example, the risk of accidents is too high. In addition, overtaking the forklift(s) in a row of shelves is not possible.
safety distances
Safety distances include, for example, the distances between loads, the distances to shelf supports, to supports or to structural facilities. The individual distances are then explicitly specified through guidelines and standards.
DIN 4102 regulates the length of escape and rescue routes in Germany. The distance from any point in a warehouse to the next fire compartment or to the outside may not exceed 50 m (30 m as the crow flies).
shelf inspection
Employers are obliged to have their systems regularly inspected by appropriate persons within certain inspection periods.
If a part is damaged, it must be replaced immediately with an original spare part!
Rack inspections are carried out in accordance with EN 15635 - “Adjustable pallet racks - Guidelines for safe working”. In addition, the storage facilities and storage equipment are checked in accordance with BGR 234.
