Storage Best Practices — Shelf Life and Deformation in Canada

1) Targets for a good storage room

2) Shelf life — quick reference table

Heads-up: These are typical ranges. Real life depends on resin grade, wall thickness, pigments, and conditions.

3) Stacking & deformation rules (by product)

• Cones (any plastic): nest no more than 10–15 high for long storage. Rotate stacks quarterly to avoid “oval” necks.
• Posts/delineators: store upright or horizontal with supports every 0.6–1.0 m; avoid bowing.
• Rubber bases: stack flat ≤ 20 per pile; keep dry; don’t lean (creates curl).
• Reflective boards: store flat with corner pads; do not stand bare corners on concrete.
• Barrier panels: interlock loosely; don’t strap so tight that panels warp.
• Cable ramps: lids closed; no pallets compressing hinge lines; max stack height that avoids rocking.
• Mirrors: keep in cartons, vertical slots preferred; no pressure on convex faces.

4) UV, light & ozone exposure

• Keep out of direct sun and high-UV windows. Fluorescent pigments fade fastest—store boxed/bagged.
• Don’t park motors or ozone-generating equipment next to rubber goods—ozone cracks appear over months.
• Cover long-stored items with breathable, opaque wraps (no sealed plastic in humid rooms).

5) Temperature & humidity for Canada

• Winter: avoid leaving plastics in unheated metal containers—cold brittleness + impact = cracks.
• Summer: avoid hot mezzanines or dark vans; thin PE/PVC can creep/warp above 35 °C.
• Dew/condensation: bring cartons to room temp before unsealing to prevent moisture on reflective faces.

6) Packaging, pallets & racks

• Use pallet slip-sheets and corner boards; strap snug, not crushing.
• Keep pallets off walls to allow air flow; avoid roof leaks and floor drains.
• Racks: load heavy rubber low, lighter plastics high; label beam capacities.

7) Cleaning before storage

• Wash dirt/salt off items first (soap + water + microfiber). Salt film attracts moisture and corrodes hardware.
• Dry fully before boxing to avoid mildew and decal lift.
• No solvents or abrasive pads on coloured plastics or reflective sheeting.

8) FIFO, labeling & stock rotation

• Use FIFO: first-in, first-out. Mark cartons with received date and lot.
• Separate outdoor-returned stock from fresh inventory; clean/grade before mixing.
• Rotate cone stacks and board piles quarterly to avoid pressure-set.

9) Transport & seasonal layup

• In winter, move gear in covered vehicles and let it warm before impact use.
• For summer layups, relieve straps weekly on plastic-heavy pallets to prevent creep.
• Solar lamps: charge in light every 3–4 months; store around 50–70% battery state.

10) Quick monthly audit checklist