Q: What is Storax Mobile Racking?
A: Storax mobile racking moves on rails so as to create an aisle only where it is needed.

Q: How does Storax Mobile Racking work?
A: Unique Storax rails are laid in the warehouse floor, either when the warehouse is built or as a retrofit. Electrically powered bases are fitted onto the rails which support the back to back fixed racking. The mobile bases move either at the touch of a button, or via remote control. Each base can carry a maximum of 360 tons.

Example 1 "A warehouse using normal fixed racking." Fixed racking gives individual access to each pallet location, but requires substantial "open" space in the form of access aisles.		Example 2 "A warehouse using Storax Mobile Racking." The number of pallets stored is the same as in EXAMPLE 1, but the warehouse is half the size. Each pallet is immediately accessible.
Example 3 "A warehouse the same size as EXAMPLE 1." Using Storax Mobile Racking, the storage capacity has been doubled. Each pallet is immediately accessible.

Q: Is Storax Mobile Racking safe? - How do the bases stop in time?
A: Storax mobiles are safe. Each base has a safety tripbar system which runs the full base length on both sides. In normal operation the bases stop when the safety tripbars on that base are activated as the bases move together. The safety tripbars are designed to be activated by personnel who may be in an open aisle. Once activated, Storax mobiles stop within 50mms. On larger systems there are additional infra red safety beams across the front of the mobile bases.

Q: How high can pallets be stacked?
A: The maximum pallet height depends to some extent on the individual pallet weight. However, Storax systems have been installed where the top of the top pallet is approximately 14.5 metres above the warehouse floor.

Q: How can Storax Mobile Racking benefit your business / bottom line?
A: Storax Mobile Racking requires fewer access aisles, therefore substantially increasing the number of pallets that can be stored in an existing warehouse. Mobile racking also allows immediate access to each pallet, which is critical where there are many product lines and/or batches.

Q: Can mobiles be fitted to an existing store? Can I retrofit?
A: We’ve been asked this question by prospective clients when their current storage capacity has reached a maximum and they are faced with the prospect of either relocating or storing more in their current premises.  Yes, mobiles can be retrofitted into existing cold stores/warehouses.  The existing subfloor would need to be checked to make sure it can take the increase in the loading of the main slab.  Then a new floor screed has to be laid to support the rails.  Mobile bases are installed on top of the rails. This reinforced screed tends to be around 150mms thick. At this height it is a relatively simple matter to design ramps which allow materials handling equipment to move into and out of the mobile area. 

Q: What products can be stored on mobiles?
A: There is no limitation as to what can be stored efficiently on mobile bases. Each system is custom designed to your specific need.  We have installed systems throughout the country where clients have stored chicken, fish, meat, paper, drums of juice, and wait for it, motor vehicles. The first Storax system, for example, was designed to carry lengths of steel.

Aluminium Storage "There is no limitation as to what can be stored efficiently on mobile bases"

Q: What backup service does Barpro offer?
A: Barpro offers the ability to respond timeously whether via telephone calls to our all-hours technical department service number. If onsite assistance is required we have a dedicated and qualified team of Supervisors able to respond to call-outs. We have a workshop based in Cape Town able to turn out a number of spares at relatively short notice. Should spares be required urgently Barpro would be able to supply those but at a surcharge. We strongly advise keeping a set of spares on site, so that any downtime can be minimised.

Q: Do you offer training?
A: Yes, as part of the contract when purchasing a Storax mobile racking system Barpro includes training to all operators & supervisors of the system. Barpro also offers annual refresher training as well as when staff changes occur; at a nominal fee. All you have to do is make contact with our office and we'll make the necessary arrangements. The training courses will teach you how to maintain your mobiles by proper housekeeping and changing certain components yourself; as well as keeping the system safe.

Q: What is a cantilevered rack?
A: Cantilevered storage locations are designed to get more use from the volume of the ware-house. After all, you've paid good money to buy the land and to put up the building. And you have ongoing costs such as rates, building security and maintenance. Furthermore, in many cases, there is the expense of temperature control. So why not make the most out of the space? Cantilevered storage locations are extensions of the racking system over trucking and pedestrian gangways. They can be added onto the front or the rear of each run of racking, providing extra storage locations while keeping the floor area clear. Cantilevers over main thoroughfares should allow enough clear height below them for fork trucks and any other large machinery to operate safely. Cantilevers at the rear of the warehouse can be used to form a pedestrian passage leading to an emergency exit. (Picture: Rear cantilever passage)

Q: What could cause a motor to burn out?
A: The main cause associated with burnt motors is poor or no housekeeping within the store and around the mobiles. Debris lying on the ground prevents the mobile from moving. Operators then try to get the mobile to move by pushing the contactors on the panels, which  cause the motors to burn out.  Shrink wrap and packaging also tend to wrap itself around the  motor which creates friction resulting in the motor either burning out or the shaft breaking off. Housekeeping includes keeping a tidy store, clean floors, properly packed pallets and properly maintained storage systems. Try to have your staff do housekeeping at least twice a day to ensure that there is no build up of any kind which may cause your motors to burn out.

Q: What is a Buffalo Bumper?
A: Buffalo bumpers fit onto the front of the wheel units of the Storax Mobile racking system.  They provide added protection from occassional bumps by forklifts.  Made from hard, tough wood, each bumper weighs around 75kgs.  A simple solution to prevent damage to wheel units and control boxes.

Q: How can installing a Storax Mobile racking system reduce my energy consumption?
A: In a freezer store Storax mobiles can be fitted with automatic light switching so that the lights only come on in the open aisles.  When compared to a freezer store where the lights are left on, this feature can save up to 70% of the total lighting cost.
Installing Storax mobiles in a freezer store increases capacity over fixed racking by approximately  75%.  So long as the number of access doors is not increased, and the additional pallets arrive on temperature, the energy required to keep the product at an acceptable core temperature should not increase.  Hence the energy cost per pallet stored is significantly reduced.  

Q: We have ice on the floor, our mobiles won’t move?
A: Firstly you have to prevent ice from forming by installing curtains at the doorways and keeping doors closed as much as possible.  This will help to stop warm moist air from entering the store.  The moisture condenses on the racking and products inside which then freezes.  Good housekeeping will help to prevent ice build up.  Sweep floors daily.

Q: What are mesh decks?  When are they needed?
A: A mesh deck is a steel grid which is placed onto the load beams.  It provides extra support for the loaded pallet.  It can be used in conjuction with plastic pallets which have been known to slip off racking in cold stores.

Q: We are moving to a new location. Can we take our mobiles with us?
A: Yes we have successfully relocated systems around South Africa.  Unfortuately you cannot take the rails as they are embedded into the floor, but all other components can be dismantled and reused so long as they are in good working order.

Q: Do you supply racking?
A: Barpro can source racking superstructure as part of a mobile project if requested to do so by a customer. However Barpro itself does not manufacture racking . Barpro’s speciality is in    supplying  the rails that are embedded into the floor and the mobile bases.

Q: Are you a storage facility?
A: No, we supply Storax mobile racking to warehouses who store things.

Q: What are the minimum & maximum size that a mobile rack can be?
A: The maximum  permissible length of a mobile base is determined by the width of the base, measured  between wheel centres.  However, it is possible to run 2 or more Storax bases one behind each other. The minimum Storax base length is around 7500mms. Longer mobile bases are generally cheaper per pallet position than shorter ones.

Q: Who would use mobiles?
A: Traditionally mobiles have been used in the cold storage industry, but we are seeing a growing interest in the ambient sector. The system is custom made to suit your product so theoretically any store could have a need for mobile racking.

Q: How could Storax mobile racking benefit my company?
A: Let’s look at two examples.

Q: Are spare parts readily available?
A: Yes. Barpro has a workshop in Cape Town and either has stock of, or can manufacture any base component.

Q: Who can I contact if I have a problem?
A: Please call our All Hours Technical Assistance help line (021) 552 – 9191.  Someone is always on call to give you telephonic support.  Should the problem be serious we will send a technician to your site.