The new TubeRack System showcased by rack maker Hannibal Industries at the ProMat trade show is engineered to greatly reduce the chances of product's falling off the rack during an earthquake.

In a traditional racking solution, the rack shakes quickly horizontally during an earthquake, which exacerbates "product shed" or product falling off the rack, says Steve Rogers, vice president of sales for Hannibal Industries. Hannibal's new tubular racking system allows the rack to sway horizontally rather than shaking in other words, the horizontal movement of the rack lasts a bit longer during an earthquake, which results in fewer products falling off the rack.

The TubeRack system has a horizontal-bolt-together modular design that does not require diagonal beams across the back of the rack for support. As a result, in most instances, it can handle more capacity with less steel, while reducing the stress on the slab.

Hannibal has been marketing the rack system for about a year and has multiple installations.