Floor Flatness
Floor Flatness is all-important in many warehouse floors, where the main challenges are the efficient use of space, equipment and labour.
Very Narrow Aisle floors and their racking systems maximise space utilisation. Forklift Trucks (FLT), known in the trade as Materials Handling Equipment (MHE), are vehicles used by the industry to assist in stocking the racking system. FLT can reach as high as the racking and when the operative picks an item from the racking shelves, the operative stands in a hydraulic lift which takes the user up to it.
Driver Safety
If the floor is not flat, this could tilt the high FLT that runs on it. In a busy warehouse, the FLT could be travelling with the operator at 20m above the floor. Any irregularities in the floor flatness would be magnified by this height.
Increased Costs
In addition, if the FLT is not running dead straight, parts of it are put under stress such as welding joints and bearings, leading to breakdowns and costly maintenance of the trucks.
Why Flatness is important
In summary, correct floor flatness is essential for the following reasons:
- Operations are more efficient if lift trucks operate at maximum speed
- Poor surface regularity will cause excessive vibration on a lift truck and increase down time and maintenance.
- Health & Safety and driver fatigue
- Reduced damage to stock
- Gives control on the general quality of a floor when constructed
Undoubtedly the most important category of industry where flatness is essential is within aisles of high density warehouses where defined path, very narrow aisles trucks operate.
The static lean table shows how the potential for truck lean is increased by the lifting height.
Grinding Floors Flat
The Laser Grinder® is the world’s most technologically advanced floor grinding machine, used by Concrete Grinding Ltd to aid in the enhancement of floor flatness in commercial properties.
The Laser Grinder® is specifically designed to make floors Superflat, particularly in warehouses which have very narrow aisles.
Floor Flatness Specifications
As the demand for faster, more efficient warehouse technology increases and truck developments continue, floor flatness standards help to contribute to warehouse operators peace of mind. There are different types of flatness specification for Free Movement and Defined Movement floors.
