Modular perimeter guarding for automated high-bay warehouse

Procter Machine Guarding has supplied and installed approximately 600m of perimeter guarding in Quinn Radiators' state-of-the-art automated high-bay warehouse in Newport, South Wales. The warehouse was designed and built by Swisslog to handle some 4million domestic and specification radiators per year. Six stacker cranes serve 41,000 pallet locations and a pallet conveyor system. Three high-speed gantry robots pick the individual radiators using magnetic heads.

To safeguard this equipment Procter recommended the Satech modular perimeter guarding system. This is available in a choice of specifications, which meant that Procter could select the most cost-effective option for this application, taking into account the loadings and anticipated usage. Most of the guarding therefore used RHS (rectangular hollow section) steel posts with weldmesh (welded wire mesh) infill, with the fence extending to a height of 2040mm. However, in the areas where the gantry robots operate, fencing 3m high was specified.

Guarding components were finished in a tough polyester powder coat, black (RAL 9005) for the fencing, yellow (RAL 1021) for the access doors and gates, and grey (RAL 7045) for the sheet steel screening. A total of 45 hinged and sliding doors and gates were supplied, with the standard Satech design modified by the addition of a central horizontal plate used for signwriting and prevention of access to the internal panic latch. Indeed, all of the doors and gates were fitted with these latches, together with individually coded keys. While the majority of the screening consisted of standard Satech posts and panels, Procter also designed, manufactured and installed matching bespoke items where standard components could not be used.

Price, quality and service

The project commenced in June 2007 and was completed on time and on budget in September 2007. Steve Franklin, Swisslog's Site Project Manager, was very pleased with the guarding, saying: "The price Procter quoted was very close to the price we had from another supplier that we often use, but Procter was local to the Newport site, which we viewed as an advantage, and they were able to offer a fast turnaround. All the guarding looks very good and it serves its purpose. I would definitely use Procter again."

Franklin is also very complimentary about the support he received from Procter Machine Guarding: "Throughout the project they were extremely helpful, giving us fantastic support. With a project such as the Quinn warehouse there are always fabrications that are required, so we were happy to feed those through to Procter as well. Nothing was ever too much trouble and the costs were always reasonable. Overall, the service we received was second-to-none."

Procter regularly had a designer on site to cater for the additional fabrication work, which included pallet stops, switch mounting brackets, conveyor plate decking, pallet sensor switches and sheet metal screening. At one point in the project Swisslog discovered that a ladder, platform and stairs supplied by another company did not fit. Procter therefore carried out the necessary design and fabrication work to suit the site conditions and to retain as much of the original fabrications as possible, then organised a crane to lift the finished items into position on the warehouse roof.

Being able to design and manufacture bespoke fabrications in addition to supplying the Satech guarding undoubtedly proved to be enormously beneficial to Swisslog and, ultimately, Quinn Radiators.

Follow the link for more information about the Satech modular perimeter guarding system.