This guide lets you know what you need to know to select the best pallet racks, configurations, and accessories for your facility.
Let’s Talk About Preconfigured Pallet Racking Systems
Pallet racks are versatile solutions to optimize vertical storage for warehouses and industrial facilities. They are made with heavy-duty racking system materials like steel for stability and durability. Pallet rack components like upright frames, beams, decking, and crossbars help build a pallet rack system to efficiently organize and store goods, optimizing space and providing easy inventory access.
Welded vs. Bolted Pallet Racking Systems
Welded pallet racking systems
Welded pallet racking systems come in a range of heavy-duty, customizable storage solutions for your warehouse or facility needs. Built-in braces and welded base plates offer rigid stability. Plus, the rivet lock design with a safety lock allows for secure installation on uprights. Since welded pallet racking systems have fixed welded bases, they tend to be more rigid, but there are tradeoffs. Welded racking systems are bulkier to ship, and thus more expensive to get on site. And repairs can be more costly depending on where on the racking system the repair is required.
Bolted pallet rack systems
Bolted pallet rack systems provide a durable and easy to assemble solution to improve storage in warehouses or manufacturing facilities. The bolted system utilizes tensile strength bolts, rather than welds, to secure braces within the upright frame. This provides several advantages in terms of maintenance and repair. If a component is damaged on a bolted upright frame, repairs are only necessary on that element, making this a very economical product. Bolted racks also help to optimize freight costs and storage space. Their standard, pre-punched footplates allow for easy anchoring and a recessed channel, in the upright column's shape, keeps the bolts and nuts safely away from products and people.
Know Your Decking Options
You have options when it comes to servicing your inventory more efficiently. Pallet rack decking offers durable support for storing various items, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of racking systems. Wire decking permits light, air and sprinkler penetration improving fire safety. Additionally, wire decking also allows a clear view of upper tiers and minimize dust or debris accumulation. Solid decking is made of a single sheet of metal providing a smooth surface for pallets to rest on.
Gravity flow Systems
Gravity flow rack systems allow carton flow, either on rollers or with gravity alone. They also allow your racks to lie flat to help keep inventory in place. Gravity flow rack systems are great at helping to save businesses time, space, and money to offset rising costs and remain competitive as consumer demand increases with no signs of slowing.
Roller Rack Systems
Roller Rack is a carton flow rack and track system that offers superior flexibility, adaptability, and ease of use compared to other solutions in the market. Whether designing a new facility or redesigning an existing one, Roller Rack is a powerful dynamic storage solution that can significantly impact your operation's overall efficiency.
HOW TO SELECT PALLET RACKS
Understanding the components that come together to create a pallet rack—and how they work together to provide stability and storage—can help you configure a system to your needs based on available space as well as load and weight size. Well-maintained, and dependable pallet racks are crucial to establishing operational efficiency and make great warehouse heavy duty racks.
When you're starting to plan your pallet racking system strategy, the golden rule is to measure the space first and take an inventory of the materials you'll be storing and consider how often the inventory will be accessed. That includes the pallets products will sit on as well. This information will help ensure your purchase aligns with your real needs and ensures you don't overspend or end up with a pallet racking system that doesn't fit where you need it to.
There are three standard pallet sizes.
Knowing which pallet sizes you work with most often will help you plan the right pallet racking system. To make the most of your space, the shelf lengths of your pallet racking system should be a multiple of the pallet dimension you use most frequently. Shelf capacity is always listed as capacity per beam pair. This number is based on the static weight of evenly distributed loads.*
Regarding uprights, the height you choose will depend on your ceiling height, the product you plan to store, and the recommended capacity limits for the manufacturer.
The weight capacity of an upright is determined by the beam spacing (the height between levels). Find this number by measuring the distance between the storage levels. The more space between levels, the lower the capacity of the pallet rack's upright.
It’s also crucial to consider safety. Proper safety precautions are vital to ensuring your pallet racking system brings efficiency and value, not safety concerns.
PALLET RACK COMPONENTS
Vertical uprights
Vertical uprights (sometimes called “columns”) serve as the frame for a pallet rack. They’re available in different depths, heights, and gauges to support the weight of the products being stored. Uprights also have holes or slots that allow beams to be mounted onto them.
STEP BEAMS
Step beams serve as the horizontal supports for the pallet rack system. They have L-shaped steps in their design, with slots along the lower edge of the steps. These steps support solid-surface materials that help maintain a flat storage area. Both slotted and unslotted beams are available to accommodate different crossbar styles.
ACCESSORY AND SAFETY ESSENTIALS
There are a variety of accessories and pallet rack components you can use to turn a pallet racking system into a customized inventory management solution that works the way you need it to. Plus, proper safety precautions are vital to ensuring your pallet racking system brings efficiency and value, not safety concerns.
PALLET RACK ACCESSORIES
Rack Protectors
Rack protectors are high-visibility safety devices designed to prevent damage to storage racking systems in warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial facilities. They feature sturdy construction and a reinforced design to withstand heavy impacts from forklifts, pallet jacks, or other moving equipment, protecting the integrity of the racking structure.
Rack Backstops
Pallet rack backstops will prevent the pallet and load from being loaded or pushed too far within the pallet rack system. The backstops are a single piece that does not require any type of hardware and are fastened directly to the uprights.
Safety Straps
Safety straps are crucial for maintaining a safe working environment in warehouses and other industrial settings. Made with heavy-duty polyester, these safety straps attach to racks to prevent stored items from pushing into flue space or falling into an aisle.
Enclosure
Pallet rack enclosure end panels help to protect materials while allowing for easy viewing of inventory.
Pallet Rack Spill Control Sumps
Pallet Rack Spill Control Sumps are designed to fit effortlessly into warehouse racking systems without obstructing adjacent storage areas. They are made from durable polyethylene material that resists rusting and corrosion, ensuring longevity. The sumps feature easily removable galvanized steel grating and are specifically designed to fit precise pallet rack specifications.
Finalizing the Pallet Rack System That’s Best for You
As you establish or revisit your inventory management plan, be sure it includes the Shelves and Racks that hold the products and materials you keep in stock. Incorporating smart Shelving and Racking strategies into your plan keeps your warehouse or distribution center organized and ensures clear pathways for workers and equipment. Proper organization using pallet racking can drastically improve worker productivity, minimize safety issues, keep floors clear, and speed up order fulfillment. The right storage and shelving systems also maximize available square footage.
Have Pallet Racking Questions? Global Industrial Has Answers.
If you’re ready to incorporate pallet racking into your inventory management plan—or expand on what you already have—our product experts are here to help. Global Industrial can review any facility or workplace to help you determine how to implement the right pallet racking strategy for your business. Connect with one of our Global Industrial sales representatives at 888.978.7759 or contact us here for help finding the right configuration for your needs.
*Pallet Rack Disclaimer: The capacity LBS limitations apply to static (non-seismic) conditions only. If seismic conditions apply, verification of capacities must be confirmed with a seismic engineer. Global Industrial is not responsible for engineering, installation and/or application of this material. In addition, Global Industrial is not responsible for securing any necessary permits. It is the full responsibility of the customer to check the contents and quantities. The capacity LBS limitations are provided for reference only and based on an evenly distributed load.
The information contained in this article is for informational, educational, and promotional purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations. If there is any question or doubt in regard to any element contained in this article, please consult a licensed professional. Under no circumstances will Global Industrial be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on this article.