The capacity of the frame will depend on nine factors

beyond just the length of the unbraced column span,

including:
 Average load to maximum load ratio;
 Beam-to-column connector stiffness and strength;
 Beam stiffness;
 Column stiffness;
 Base plate and anchorage detail;
 Site seismicity;
 Number of storage levels;
 Aspect ratio of the frame, or height-to-depth ratio; and
 Warehouse or retail environment.

In order to determine if the global stiffness of the rack assembly meets the new
requirements, the designer will need to perform several calculations. The stiffness
calculation will determine the adequacy of the selected column. A frame capacity
calculated in accordance with the 2021 standard may be less than the capacity calculated
using the 2012 standard, all things being equal.

  However, if the average load data at the facility is available, and connectors with adequate
stiffness are selected, then the calculated frame capacity may be close to the capacity
calculated under the 2012 requirements.  In such cases, the average load data provided will
become part of the design assumption and must appear on the load application and rack
configuration (LARC) drawings and the load plaques.

While this makes frame selection a bit more complex, there are also advantages. One such
advantage can come from identification of an average product load per bay, as opposed to a
maximum product loading.  Many storage racks utilize an average loading that is less the
maximum loading is in all storage locations. This may be due to empty positions with no
load, for instance, or just many pallets with lighter product. Failure to identify an average
product load will likely require use of stiffer connections or an increase in the column
strength to comply with the 2021 revision requirements compared to the 2012
requirements.