MetalCoop
Certificazioni MetalCoop

F.A.Q.

N. Question Answer
1 How to fix wakways profiles on the supporting structure? Walkway profile has to be fixed properly, in order to have a sensible contribution to the global stability of the structure. Moreover a good fixing of each profile reduces walking noise when people is moving on it. Metalcoop suggests to fix all the profiles at their ends, each other every meter, then one profile (every two) on C120beam, for all C120 beams.
2 What is the height for handrails on mezzanines or walkable passages? There are usually some national rules that must be respected. Metalcoop suggests to have always handrails not lower than 1000mm. Handrails must have a kickplate (min. 150mm high) and two or more horizontal bars up to the handrail's top.
3 Must the staircases have covers among the steps? No rules are stating that staircases must be fully closed among steps. Metalcoop suggests to put covers among the steps when it is necessary to keep clean the area under the staircase.
4 Is the kickplate compulsory for staircases in warehouse installations? No laws stating that staircases must have kickplates on the step sides are actually known. A direct enquiry can be asked to the local Health and Safety Authority before ordering.
5 What is the proper height for staircase's handrails? Minimum height has to be 1000mm Height must be measured vertically from the front top-edge of the step to the top of the handrail.
6 Must staircase's steps have an anti-skid device? Every walkable surface must be safe and confortable for working people. Metalcoop installs special steps with anti-skid edges, directly punched out on the step-body.
7 Is it possible to fit side-panels on ST30 frames already erected with shelves? Only on the external frames, at the ends of the rows.
8 Is it possible to fix back panels on ST30 shelving bays already erected? Yes, it is the suggested way to operate, if back-side of shelving unit is reachable.
9 Is it pssible to install spine-bracing on ST30 unit already installed? Yes, because the 4 brackets of the spine-bracing are indipendent.
10 Which is the use of the two oval holes on the top of ST30 cross-braces? They are necessary when ST30 bays have to be fixed on mobile units. Appropriate rods are supplied with the hardware of mobile units.
11 What are the available colours for ST30 crossbraces? ST30 crossbraces are manufactured by pre-painted steel coils. Dark grey (±RAL7040) crossbraces are available for ST30 frames fully dark-grey, as in Metalcoop long time tradition. Light Grey (±RAL7043) crossbraces must be used in order to get a good-looking results when ST30 uprights are in ay different colour. ST30 crossbraces in other colours are not available.
12 What are the standard thickness of steel sheet used to manufacture ST30 shelves? Shelves 300-350-400 deep are manufactured by 0.7 mm steel coils; shelves 500-600 deep are manufactured by 0.8 mm steel coils. Different thicknesses (in the range of 0.5-1.0 mm) can be used if requested quantities are relevant.
13 When is it necessary to use the drawer's strip? At the top of each drawers' stack (4-5 pieces), just under the shelf which must be fitted on the top of the stack. The strip will close the gap between the bottom of the shelf's edge and the top of the drawer-front.
14    
16 Which are the beams type/lenghts available in stock by Metalcoop? Metalcoop offers about 8000 beams in stock, before painting, as in the following list: --->LINEA ST60 Beams H60L /ST60 _ L= 1050, 1350, 1500, 1800 Beams H80L / ST60_L= 1500, 1800 Beams H100/ST60_L= 1500, 1800, 2250, 2550, 2700 Beams H120L/ST60_L= 1800, 2250, 2550, 2700 Beams 2C H120/ST60_L= n.d. Beams 2C H140/ST60_L= n.d. --->LINEA ST90 Beams H60L /ST90_ L= n.d. Beams H80L / ST90_L= n.d. Beams H100/ST90_L= 1800, 2700 Beams H120L/ST90_L= 1800, 2250, 2550, 2700 Beams 2C H120/ST90_L= 1800, 2700 Beams 2C H140/ST90_L= 1800, 2700
17 There are beams not available in the full range of lenghts. Why? Metalcoop patented profiles are manufactured in the lenghts that can be offer the best performances in terms of safety and load capacity. Metalcoop HL beams can be used with pallets and bulk stuff thanks to the exclusive patented profile. It represents a great plus for the final customer, who can use the same beam for different functions.
18 What's about standard dimensions of shelves available in Metalcoop stock? Metalcoop has about 24000 shelves available in stock ready-to-go. Best seller shelves (see the list below) are stocked in higher quantities. shelf 300x1000 R0 shelf 400x1000 R0 / R1 shelf 500x1000 R0 / R1 shelf 600x1000 R1 / R2
19 Which is the load capacity of a frame? The load capacity of a racking (shelving) frame is strictly depending from the position of the beams (shelves), with a pecial attention to the first level of loads. It is a nonsense to define the load capacity of a frame, without any specification about the position of the first level of beams (shelves) and the position of the next levels.
20 What happens when a frame is overloaded? Uprights have the job to bring loads to the ground. When a frame is overloaded, the uprights are subjected to bend in the direction of the minimum resistance. It is the typical behaviour of slender structures: when loads are exceeding the limit of the stability, the structure bends suddenly and the global stability of it is lost. Consequences are usually very dangerous and destructive.
21 Why the distance among the ground and the first level of beams (shelves) is so mainly important to define the load capacity of a racking (shelving) frame? Because all the vertical loads of the frame are affecting the lowest part of the uprights. The load capacity of a frame is higher is the first level of beams is lower, reducing the distance of free bending of the upright.
22 Is it allowed to fix a shelving (racking) installation to the wall? Generally speaking, it is preferable to keep any structure indipendent from the walls. This is because the building engineers do not consider any additional loads on the walls in their projects. It is likely that extra loads transferred to the wall by the shelving (racking) structure can cause damages to the building; it is depending by the entity of the loads that shelving (racking) structures can transfer to the walls. Sometimes special rules by the Fire Prevention Authority state to keep a clearance of 900mm or more with any structure.
23 How is it possible to reduce the long-aisle sway of a racking (shelving) row? There are devices to increase the long-aisle stability of racking (shelving) systems. They are called "spine-bracing", are normally not expensive and very effective for the global stability of the installation.
24 When the tilting risk is sensible in a shelving (racking) row? When the ratio height/depth is more than 5, it is necessary to face with the risk of tilting.
25 Can the ground-fixing avoid the tilting collapse of a shelving (racking) system? It is neither reliable nor advisable to provide a special ground-fixing in order to avoid any tilting risk. Simple and very cheap top-ties among the shelving (racking) rows usually offer much more sensible results.
26 Which is the load capacity of a couple of beams? Load capacity of a couple of beams is written on the official documents of Metalcoop, with reference to the catalogue ST60 and ST90. Load capacity is depending from the geometrical and phisical dimensions of the section of the beam, the lenght of it and the stiffness of the connectors which affect the constrain conditions. Limits in terms of elastic deformation and resistance are stated in the european norms.
27 How can I detect a beam overloaded? If the deformation in the middle section of the beam is higher than L/200 (L=total lenght of the beam) the beam is overloaded and must be unloaded as soon as possible. After unloading, if the beam is still deflected, this is the clear sign that it has been overloaded.
28 Which is the proper way to load a couple of beams in a racking unit? The declared load capacity of the beams has been calculated taking into account that weights must be uniformly distributed. It is advisable to load a racking bay starting from the positions close to the racking frames, and not putting the first load unit directly in the middle of the beam-lenghts.
29 What happens when a beam is overloaded? The mid-span deflection is quite visible and gives a very bad feeling. Removing the load unit, deflection must disappear. Any residual deflection declares an overloading which is dangerous, and people encharged of the warehouse maintenance must be informed immediately.
30 How to do in case of overloading beams? The beams must be immediately unloaded. Then it is advisable to check the real weight of the load unit, verifying if it is admitted by the load plate of the racking. A check about the residual deformation of the unloaded beam must be carefully done. Any doubt must be discussed with the technical department of the racking supplier.
31 Which is the definition of the load capacity of a shelf? The effective load capacity of a shelf must be normally intended as the "service load capacity", which is the maximum load capacity that the customer requires for his activity. Using this whole load capacity, no plastic deformations occur, while the elastic deflection affecting the loaded shelf, will fully disappear when loads are removed. The ACAI-CISI Quality & Safety Mark body of rules (which Metalcoop respects since 1996) states that the "service load capacity" must be at least the half of the "last load capacity" (or collapse load capacity) and the maximum deflection admittable under the service loads must be less than L/200 (where L is the lenght of the shelf).
32 What happens when a shelf is overloaded? A shelf showing a mid-span deflection higher than L/200 can be overloaded. A 1000mm shelf having a mid-span deflection of 6mm can be overloaded and permanent deformation can affect the shelf after unloading it. This is a clear sign of overloading and people encharged to maintain the installation must be immediately informed.
33 How to do when a shelf has been overloaded? An overloaded shelf must be immediately unloaded. If permanent deflections affect the unloaded shelf, it must be replaced. It is not allowed to repair damaged parts of a shelving (racking) systems that are directly involved in the global stability of the installation. The shelving (racking) supplier will help the customer to find the best solution for the immediate action reducing the risk of further damages and overloading.
34 Which is the minimal height to fix a shelf in ST30-ST60 shelving system? ST30 and ST60 with standard footplate allow the shelf in the second squared hole fom the bottom. Top of the shelf is 100mm from the ground. In case of ST60 with AS footplate, the first available position for shelf is the fourth. In this case the top of the shelf is 200mm from the ground.
35 Which is the minimal height to fix a beam on ST60 and ST90 racking system? ST60 upright with standard footplate allows to fix the first beam starting from the second lowest position: it means that the the top of the beam will be 240mm from the ground. ST90 upright with standard footplate allows to fix the first beam starting from the second lowest position: it means that the top of the beam will be 250mm from the ground.
36 Which is the maximal height advisable for a hand-picking operator? In order to offer a confortable working activity the maximal height for people who do manual picking in a warehouse is 2250mm for light stuff (books, cartoon boxes, etc.)
37 Which is the advisable width of a shelving aisle? Metalcoop suggests to have a minimum width of 750mm for a shelving aisle. The aisle widht is depending by the dimensions of stuff to manage and shelving units' depth. If the aisle is 800mm and people has to move TV packages (usually 600mm deep) any movement inside the aisle is very difficult and sometimes it is phisically not possible.
38 Which is the advisable aisle width for hand-operating transpallet? Metalcoop suggests to have aisle widths between 1400 and 1500mm, in order to reduce any risk of damaging the structures during the daily operations.
39 Which is the advisable width in a racking system where a counterbalanced fork lift truck is operating? It depends by the type of counterbalanced fork lift truck. The turning radius is one of the most important technical features for a FLT and the right design of a racking system must take into account the trucks operating in the warehouse. Direct informations can be obtained by the FLT manufacturer. Current experiences suggest to provide aisles 3200mm wide (between facing pallets). For more detailed infos, refer to FEM 10.2.03, 10.2.04 and 10.3.01 documents.
40 Which is the advisable width of an aisle for racking systems where reachable fork lift truck is operating? It depends by the specific technical features of the RFLT. Have a contact with the RFLT manufacturer can be quite useful. Current experiences suggest to provide aisles 2800mm wide. For more detailed infos, refer to FEM 10.2.03, 10.2.04 and 10.3.01 documents.
41 Which is the advisable width for aisles in a racking system where a three-directional forklift truck is operating? This kind of trucks require a proper design for the racking systems where they will be used. It is very important to discuss with the truck supplier, in order to define the appropriate width of aisles.
42 Which is the advisable width of aisles for drive-in and drive-through racking installations? It depends by the unit load and the truck in use. Current experiences are suggesting aisles width around 1300-1400mm but it is very important to get all the informations about the truck and the unit load from the customer, to define the best dimensions for each project.
43 How to handle the load capacity tables inside Metalcoop's ST60 and ST90 catalogues? Example: Our customer is requiring a racking bay with 5 loadable levels. Maximal uniformly distributed loads are 800kg on each level. The first loadable level must be 1000mm from the ground. We calculate the maximum load available on a racking frame: 5x800kg = 4000kg. Looking at the ST60 loading table, we take the height of the first loading level on the horizontal axis and we move vertically to match the curve of the diagram. On the vertical axis we read the maximal load capacity of the frame, which must be reasonably equal or less than the customer's request that is 4000kg in this case. Take note that the unit of the vertical axis is kilonewton. (1 KN=100Kg is an accepted approximation). Metalcoop Technical Department is fully available for any further information.
46 Are there parts promptly available from Metalcoop's stock? Almost all ST30 and BV1 accessories are in stock, already painted and ready to be packed on the customer's demand. About ST60 and ST90 product lines, all components for frames are normally in stock, as far as several beams in the most common lenghts. Obviously availability of such parts is strongly depending by the current situation of the schedulated orders.
47 Are the RAL references of Metalcoop's colours available? Yellow RAL1007, Red RAL3000, Blue RAL5010, Green RAL6011. Light Grey of shelves and accessories is pretty close to RAL7043. Dark Grey of uprights in stock is pretty close to RAL7040. All these colours are not containing heavy metal, are not toxic and not inflamable. Metalcoop Sales Department can require technical sheets about any RAL reference to its coating supplier.
48 Which is the pitch of ST30 upright? ST30 pitch is 25mm, hooks for shelves can be fitted in the squared holes as fas as in the two rectangular holes all along the sides of the uprights. This feature allows to fix the shelves optimising their distances as the customer requires.
50 How to calculate the effective clearance betewwn two ST30 shelves? Taking into account that the height of the ST30 shelf is 30mm and the upright's pitch is 25mm, all the distances can be found easily: if one shelf is fixed 6 suqared holes over the previous one, the distance between the top of the shelves is 300mm and the free clearance between the top of the bottom shelf and the bottom of the top shelf is 300-30mm=270mm.
51 Which is the pitch of ST60 upright, usable to fix ST30 shelves? ST60 upright's pitch is 50mm. Shelves can be fixed on ST60 uprights by the ST30 hooks.
52 Which is the minimal distance to fix beams on ST60 racking system? ST60 upright pitch is 50mm and ST60 connector works on 4 of them. The minimal distance between two beams is 200mm on ST60 racking systems.
56 Which is the advisable clearance on the top of pallets for a safe loading/unloading operation? FEM reccomendations suggest to have not less than 100mm from the top of the pallet to the bottom of the upper beam. This clearance must be increased up to 125-150mm in the highest loading levels where it is more difficult to operate.
57 Is it possible to have ST30 upright mada by zinc-plated steel coil? No, galvanized ST30 upright is not available. The special manufacturing cycle is not compatible with sendzimir zinc-plated steel coils.
58 Are ST30 shelves available in zinc-plated finish? No, because it is not possible to have reliable spot-welding on zinc-plated steel.
59 Which is the "ACAI-CISI Quality & Safety" body of norms? It is a detailed group of designing and technical rules, including yearly visits by trained inspectors to the manufacturing site, to the distributors and to the final customers. Companies are free to fulfill these norms and if the inspection gives a positive result, the "Q&S Quality & Safety" mark of product is given by ACAI. ACAI is the indipendent Italian Association of Steel Manufacturers.
62 Which is the technological cycle used by Metalcoop for powder-coating? Please refer to the Introduction of Metalcoop List of Prices.
64 How does Metalcoop produce staircases for its installations? Every staircase must be designed properly, in order to get the height of the arrival in the best sequence of steps and the optimised rising angle. Metalcoop developed a software, able to design each staircase starting from the minimum number of known parameters. Each single side of the staircase is fully welded in the right geometry with its handrail and step-supports. Anti-skid steps are then fixable at the installation site, by the installing team with simple operations.
66 Why is it important to visit the installation site before defining the order's list? Because many details are often responsible of extra costs or troubles that can be easily avoided after a survey of the installation area. Sloping floors, piping on the walls, ceiling lamps can represent an hobstacle during the installation, but also a reduction in performances. Metalcoop offers a simple form to fill during the survey of the installation site, that can be used as a memo-list for the most important notes.
71 Which is the meaning of "electro-static coating"? Coating powders are distributed by electro-static guns that put a negative charge on the powder. Parts to be painted have a positive charge. Electrostatic forces are responsible of the correct distribution of the powder and keep it on the surface since the polimerization starts at 180°C inside the dedicated oven.
74 How many steps can a staircase have in a single ramp? It depends by the destination use of the staircases; Metalcoop always suggests to have no more than 15 steps whose height is not higher than 200mm. Different solutions can be taken into account, for special installations.
76 Must a staircase between two walls have handrails? In Italy it is compulsory to have one handrail also if the staicase is between two walls.
77 What about the minimum distance between handrails and walls? It is a good technical rule for a designer to keep not less than 5-7cm between any handrail and walls or other parts of the structure, in order to offer a good grip on it, in case of use.
78 Is the use of anti-skid steps mandatory? In Italy there is a norm stating that. Metalcoop uses only anti-skid steps for its staircases.
79 Any requirement about the minimum dimension of the platform between two staircase's ramps? Metalcoop suggests to have a 1sqm platform between two ramps, as stated in the italian rules. National norms can require different dimensions. A direct enquiry to the Health & Safety Autority can give appropriate answers to this questions.
80 Is the kickplate mandatory in staircases? In Italy it is not requested, as stated in art.16 of DPR n° 547/55. National standards can be different. The Health & Safety Authority can give appropriate answers on this matter.
81 What about safety requirements for walkway surfaces? Holes on walkway profile must avoid the accidental fall of 35mm spheres. If the walkway is over a standing working position, holes must avoid the accidental fall of 20mm spheres. Depending on the stuff inside the warehouse, walkway surfaces must permit smokes to reach the ceiling where normally sprinkler systems are located or must phisically divide the floors. National standard can be different. Health & Safety Authority and Fire Prevention Officer can give the appropriate specification for any project.
82 Are sliding gates allowed on suspended floors? In Italy they must be controlle din order to avoid any risk of falling: it usually requires the use of electronic controls on the gate. Metalcoop suggests to use its rolling gates that are simple, easy-to-install, cables and maintenance free.
86    
89 Where in World Metalcoop is available? Metalcoop exports about 40% of its total turnover (2002) in the following countries: France, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Cechia, Suisse, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Greece, Kuwait, Bahrain, Morocco, New Caledonia.
93 What about the criteria to design a warehouse plan? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
94 What about the advantages of a closed section upright? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
95 Why beam's load capacity decreases in case of loading bulk materials? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
155 Why is it important to reduce the out-of-plumb of a shelving (racking) installation? The verticality of the installation is important because: it increases the safety level of the installations; accessories can be fitted easily and then they will work better. In order to get a good verticality of the installation, Metalcoop supplies appropriate shims for any kind of footplates.
156 How to fix the shelf in the ST30 shelving system? After fixing the four hook in the height, teh shelf can be fixed by a pressure on each corner. A shelf which is not perfectly installed, reduces the global stability of the shelf.
157 How to verify that the ST30 shelf is well fitted? The bottom edge of the side edges of the shelf must be in contact with the top of the hook. No clearance is between the upright and the shelf.
158 What about the way of working of ST90 connector? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
159 How to fix a ST90 beam to the upright? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
160 What about the way of working of ST60 connector? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
161 How to fix a ST60 beam to the upright? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
162 What about the performance of the ST30 hook? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
163 What about the modularity of BV1 counter desk? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
164 Are the ST30 shelving system and The BV1 counter compatible? Yes, all the accessories of the ST30 shelving sstem can be fixed in the BV1 counter, in order to get the most of the functionality for the customer.
165 Is it allowed to fix L1000 drawers in a unit if doors have been fixed in the adiacent bay? No, because drawers have a lip which has interference with the door-frame.
166 Is it possible to fix the kickplate on ST30 units with steel footplates? No, because the bolt fixing the steel footplate make the fixing of the kickplate impossible.
167 How to avoid down-aisle sway in ST30 units with L1000 drawers? Due to the fact that it is not possible to fix spine-bracing in a 1000mm high unit, it is advisable to increase the stability using the special ST30 beam, as in the list of price of Metalcoop.
182 What is the pitch of bin container's divider? The new version, dated December 2003, has a pitch of 50mm. The previous one had a 60mm pitch. Standard diveders are 100% compatible with both versions.
185 What about ST30 spacer? It is necessary to ensure a good fixing strenght and avoid any deformation of the ST30 upright (ST60) when bolts have to be used to fix accessories and structural parts (as walkway beams, etc.)
186 What about the ST30 back-to-back tie? It must be used to reduce the risk of tilting of single rows, whose ratio height/depth is >5. It could not completely eliminate that risk. Metalcoop Technical Department will offer more details, if needed.
187 How to fix ST30 back-to-back ties properly? As close as possible to the lowest and the highest crossbraces.
188 How to fix ST30 spine bracing? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
194 How to deal with shelving installations higher than 5500mm? ST60 upright frames are offering the proper solution to high-rise shelving installations. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department for any further information.
198 How to fix BV1 counter desk? Please refer to the available BV1 Manual of Installation.
199 Is it possible to fix L1000 drawers on BV1 counter desk with showcase? No, due to the fact that the available depth is 400mm. SG drawers can be supplied, if requested.
200 What about laminated toptable and rubber toptable for BV1 counters? English text is not available at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
206 What about datas to be collected in order to prepare a complete offer? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
207 What about the pitch of ST30 punched shelves? The pitch is 60mm.
211 Which is the load capacity of L1000 drawers? L1000 drawer's ball bearing guides have been designed for 50kg/couple.
213 What about the load capacity of ST30 PE-1 sliding panels? PE1 ball bearing guides have been designed for 40 kg/each.
214 What about the advantages of St30 boxed-edge shelves? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
216 How to deal with the 4 different types of walkway profiles on Metalcoop's Catalogues? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
217 What about laod capacity of floors for common destinations? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
219 How long can a shelving (racking) system resist to a fire? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
220 Are Metalcoop's coatings inflamable or toxic in case of fire? Coatings used by Metalcoop are made by a 55% of not inflamable components. This means that there are no risk of fires that can increase because of coatings.
221 What about packaging materials and substancies? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
222 Are Metalcoop's products recycleable? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
234 Can a footplate influence the load capacity of a rackng frame? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
235 Why Metalcoop bumpers are fixed on rubber cushions? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
237 Why Metalcoop ST60-ST90 safety pin has the two wings just under its head? The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
242 The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department. The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
251 The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department. The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
253 The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department. The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
254 The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department. The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.
256 The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department. The english text is not avilable at the moment. Please contact Metalcoop Export Department.



METALCOOP s.c.a r.l.
Via delle Regioni, 265
50052 Certaldo (FI)
ITALY
VAT n.: 04516830488
Tel: 0571 666433
Fax: 0571 667836
email: metalcoop@metalcoop.it
METALCOOP s.c.a r.l. - Via delle Regioni, 265 - 50052 Certaldo (FI) ITALY - VAT: 04516830488 - Tel: +39 0571 666433 - Fax: +39 0571 667836 - email: metalcoop@metalcoop.it
Steel shelving and racking systems - pallets racking systems - tyres racking systems - shelves - steel forniture - mezzanines - racking solutions
SITEMAP