Kerbs in cold and freezer stores prevent damage to the insulated Chromadek wall panels which are easily dented and damaged. Kerbs can prevent side impacts by forklifts, reach trucks, or pallets on the ground level only. they do not provide panel protection above this.
There are several different options.
- Concrete barrier kerbs installed after the floor is completed.
There are a variety of sizes 180mm by 280mms possibly the most popular. As they are located on top of the final wearing slab, they can be pushed out of position unless dowelled to the wearing floor.
- Concrete barrier kerb as an extension of the final wearing slab
This is poured after the floor using shuttering and contains reinforcing extensions from the main floor. Such kerbs are normally 150mms wide and have an angled top. They are very strong and do not require ongoing maintenance.
Image source: Armco
- Armco barriers
The barrier footplates must not be hard up against the Chromadek panels or any movement will damage the panels. They take up about 350mms of space and can require more to allow for maintenance.
Depending on height their leverage capability increases meaning that any impact delivered to the top of a support upright can pull the fixing bolts out of the concrete floor.
- Backstop beams
These can be fitted in the bottom level of single pallet deep fixed racks around the walls to perform the same job as kerbs. should be of stronger material than normal rack load beams as they will take impacts from pallets being put away.
- Steel kerbs
These can be pre-formed with fishtails pointing inwards and are cast into the floor. The steel is normally 8 to 10mms thick. The steelwork bends inwards to make the effective kerb width approximately 75mms. This is advantageous where space is tight. Kerb heights can be adjusted as required. This option can be relatively expensive and create a rubbish trap.
- Steel kerbs bolted down
Normally angle iron with the straight face outwards. A gap must be left between the panel and the angle. the angle is bolted to the final wearing slab with either rawl bolts or chemical anchors. These cannot be too close to the edge of the floor, or they will break out with impacts and sufficient space must be allowed to accommodate the drill.
- Checker plate
The checker plate can be used in confined areas to provide wall protection. It is relatively expensive and will not prevent denting for more than minor impacts.
- No kerbs at all
This option is used in Australia where it is standard to place the bottom level of pallets on beams just above the floor. Australian pallets have “cut outs” which prevents the item from being misplaced and causing damage to the wall panels.
When choosing a kerb design, it is generally better to widen access aisles plus front and back rack clearances by keeping kerb widths as narrow as possible. Access aisles where the forklift can make a 90-degree turn in one go lowers racking damage over time and increases throughput and productivity.