Rack Inspections
Protect workers and avoid warehouse injuries and liabilities by conducting expert rack inspections.
RNW’s Expert Rack Inspectors
Founded in 2002 as Rack Net‑Works, RNW is North America’s leader in pallet rack engineering and expert inspections. Our inspectors are true specialists with extensive training and years — often decades — of hands‑on industry experience. Unlike many competitors, RNW provides fully independent guidance with no sales agenda. We don’t manufacture or sell racking, so our recommendations are unbiased and focused solely on safety and compliance.
Each identified damage is assigned a unique, trackable bar‑code number. Inspectors capture detailed photos of every item, and our comprehensive reports include severity ratings, clear explanations, and specific repair recommendations — including when replacement is the safer option. Every inspection report is thoroughly reviewed and sealed by RNW’s Professional Engineers.
We work throughout Canada and the United States, supporting facilities of all sizes and complexities. All expert inspections are carried out under the supervision of our Professional Engineers, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and full compliance with industry standards.
Does my pallet racking have to be inspected?
Yes. Canadian regulations require all facilities with pallet racking to conduct regular inspections, and industry standards strongly recommend both internal and external reviews. In the United States, OSHA requires every workplace to maintain a program for the systematic identification of hazards, which includes routine inspection of pallet racking systems.
Can’t I just inspect the racking by myself?
Monthly checks should be done internally, but annual full inspections should be completed by qualified experts under a Professional Engineer’s supervision as per the CSA A344 standards document.
Will RNW “shut us down” if they find something unsafe?
No. RNW does not shut facilities down. However, severe damage may require unloading and temporarily taking specific bays out of service until repairs can be made.
How disruptive is the inspection? Do we have to stop work?
No. Your business can continue operating normally during the inspection, and our team works safely around ongoing activity.
Will the inspection report be stamped by a Professional Engineer?
Yes. All RNW inspection reports are reviewed and sealed by a Professional Engineer, who assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the report.
How are the individual damages tracked and identified?
Each damage is assigned a unique bar‑code sticker and recorded electronically, allowing RNW to track, reference, and report every item accurately.
How much does an inspection cost?
Inspection costs vary based on your facility’s size and the condition of the racking. In most cases, the cost of an expert rack inspection is comparable to what companies already spend each year on fire extinguisher inspections.
Obtain a Building Permit for Your Warehouse Racking System
RNW’s Professional Engineers manage the entire building‑permit process for your pallet racking system, preparing and submitting all required documentation on your behalf. This includes verifying floor‑slab capacity and evaluating fire protection, egress, and emergency lighting systems to ensure full compliance with applicable codes.
RNW specializes in pallet racking design and can secure permits without costly redesigns or unnecessary delays. If a building permit already exists, our Building Code Compliance Report identifies where your facility meets current regulations and where updates may be required.
What is included in RNW’s building permit submittal service?
RNW’s permit service includes analysis of your emergency lighting, fire protection, egress/exiting, and floor‑slab capacity. We prepare all required schedules, application documents, and compliance reports, stamp the drawings, and complete one site visit and one municipal visit. The service also includes all communication with the municipality up to the initial submission.
What is a Building Code Compliance Report?
A Building Code Compliance Report reviews your existing racking permit and identifies the specific areas where your facility is compliant — and where updates may be required to meet current regulations.
How much does the building permit submittal service cost?
Permit costs depend on how complete your existing documentation is and how much work remains to finalize the required paperwork.
Building Permits
Whether you need a building permit for your entire warehouse or for a new racking system, RNW’s Professional Engineers work directly with you to obtain the required permits and ensure all safety and building‑code regulations are fully met.
PSR Capacity Reports
A PSR Capacity Report (Pre‑Start Health & Safety Review) is required in all provinces and states. Employers may not load or operate pallet racking until a PSR Capacity Report has been completed and sealed by a Professional Engineer.
Why PSR Capacity Reports (Pre-start health & Safety Reviews) are Required
A PSR Capacity Report is a technical engineering document that confirms your racking structures comply with all applicable laws and safety regulations. It evaluates installation workmanship, verifies structural integrity, and calculates safe load capacities for each individual storage bay.
The report is written to allow maximum flexibility for future reconfiguration or expansion of your racking system. Copies are stored both at RNW and onsite so they can be referenced by your Joint Health & Safety Committee and by local authorities.
Ensure your workplace meets all health and safety requirements with a PSR Capacity Report sealed by a Professional Engineer.
What does PSR stand for?
PSR stands for Pre‑Start Health & Safety Review. In most regions, PSRs are commonly referred to as Capacity Reports.
Does my racking have to have a PSR Capacity Report?
Yes. All local jurisdictions require some form of a PSR Capacity Report. For example, in Ontario, Ministry of Labour Regulation 851, Section 7 states that employers must not load or operate racking until a PSR has been completed and sealed by a Professional Engineer.
What happens if I make a change, or addition, to my racking at some point in the future?
A PSR can be updated anytime changes are made to your racking. A well‑written PSR is designed to provide maximum flexibility, allowing you to expand or reconfigure your racking system later without needing a full new review.
How much does a PSR Capacity Report cost?
The cost of a PSR depends primarily on the number of racking types in your facility and the number of elevations that must be reviewed. With a layout diagram and a few photos, RNW can typically provide a price quotation within 24 hours.