Storage Rack Base Isolation System Wins National Earthquake Mitigation Award |
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Ridg-U-Rak, Inc.
120 South Lake
North East, PA, 16428
USA
Press release date: June 26, 2008
"From testing, we determined RIDG-U-RAK's base isolation system can dissipate 85% of the seismic energy exerted on a storage system during an earthquake."
North East, PA - June 2008 - RIDG-U-RAK's patented Seismic Base Isolation System was awarded first place honors for "Excellence for Innovation" in the earthquake mitigation category at the 2008 National Earthquake Conference. The Seismic Base Isolator is a product that attaches to the base of storage rack upright frames and is then anchored to the floor. During an earthquake, the base isolator absorbs much of the seismic energy before it gets to the rack structure itself. This results in a huge reduction (85%) in the seismic forces the rack structure must resist, which concludes in little to no rack damage or product shedding during even the most severe earthquakes.
"From our testing we determined that our base isolation system can dissipate 85% of the seismic energy exerted on a storage rack system during an earthquake," said James Courtwright, RIDG-U-RAK's Chief Project Engineer.
RIDG-U-RAK's patented Seismic Base Isolation System:
Reduces risk of product loss and personal injury during an earthquake
Is a self-contained unit that can be fitted to existing rack systems
Exceeds performance standards established by FEMA
Is ideal for warehouse clubs, big-box retailers and distribution centers in high seismic zones
Does not impede stocking or daily operations of the store or warehouse
Can be easily moved during store or warehouse reconfiguring
Recognizing the need to develop a product that would reduce the risk of product loss, damage and personal injury around storage rack installations during seismic events,
RIDG-U-RAK invested in a multi-year R&D project. Development of the RIDG-U-RAK Seismic Base Isolation System included more than 100 full scale triaxial shake table tests preformed at the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory located at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
RIDG-U-RAK developed this system in accordance with performance levels outlined in FEMA 460 Seismic Considerations for Steel Racks Located in Areas Accessible to the Public. These guidelines are for facilities using steel rack systems in retail environments where public safety is a very real concern during a seismic event.
For more information on RIDG-U-RAK's systems, contact Dave Olson toll free at 866-479-7225 or email: sales@ridgurak.com
RIDG-U-RAK, a leading manufacturer of storage rack systems for distribution centers, industrial warehouses and retail shopping facilities, is a member of RMI, the Rack Manufacturers Institute, MHIA the Material Handling Institute of America and MHEDA the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association. Customers include most large scale retail, home improvement, distribution centers and industrial warehouse operations.
Matt Glass - Altman-Hall Associates - Ph: 814-454-0158, Fax: 814-454-3266 or matt@altman-hall.com
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