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To start off, what is pallet racking?

Pallet racking is a sturdy, storage system designed to hold and organize pallets of material in rows on shelves. These industrial storage solutions are typically found in warehouses and distribution facilities as they offer a secure way to hold inventory while keeping workers safe. Warehouse workers often use forklifts to move pallets around, either placing these pallets on the rack, or extracting products for use. Industrial pallet racks offer an ergonomic way to store items – maximizing storage space and allowing you to customize the size to best meet your storage needs.

What are the different types of pallet racking?

There are many different types of pallet racking, which allows for versatility in storing different items. The main types include: Selective Pallet Rack, Double Deep Racking System, Push Back Pallet Rack, Flow Pallet Racking, and Mobile Pallet Racking. Each is made specifically for certain storage solutions.

Selective Pallet Rack is the most widely used racking system. This storage solution allows one to extract pallets without moving other products around it. It’s convenient if you need easy access to all your storage, especially if you need to be able to see your SKUs. It’s generally the least inexpensive option and can come in a variety of capacities, size, and configurations – perfect for customized solutions.

Double Deep Racking is also a cost-effective way to store high-density items. This storage system is called double deep because it stores pallets two deep. With this system in place, you’re able to have two pallets with the same SKU in each of the double slots, while keeping easy access to the products. While this requires your forklift to have double reach mechanisms, this space saver can eliminate aisles and frees up storage space.

Push Back Pallet Rack is designed for high-density storage. This system is designed for LIFO (Last In, First Out) Product Rotation and can store pallets 2-6 deep on either side of the aisle, reducing aisle space. With this type of racking, the loading and unloading of products are done from a single aisle, streamlining the process. Pushback racking works by loading pallets on nested carts or carriages that ride along inclined rails inside the pallet rack bay. The rails are installed on a slight incline, and the carts move towards the front of the bay via gravity.

Flow Pallet Rack is a dynamic storage system designed for FIFO (First In, First Out) Product Rotation. This system is designed to be loaded from the back and picked from the front of the racking; therefore, a forklift aisle is required in both the front and back of the bays (whereas pushback racking only requires an aisle in the front of the bay). These systems can be designed to hold 2 to 20 pallets in a single lane, giving extremely high-density storage.

Mobile Pallet Racking is static racking installed on mobile bases. The mobile bases travel on tracks, which allow the system to only need 1 aisle, eliminating multiple space wasting, fixed aisles that would be required on standard racking systems. The bases are moved by either mechanical assist or powered controls, such as a remote control, button control, or touch screen.

Choosing the right pallet racking is dependent on your warehouse needs. Each of these systems is made for a certain requirement. If these don’t suit your needs, be sure to check out our blog where we detail the many more different types of pallet rack .

What are pallet racking accessories?

Pallet rack accessories are components that enhance your storage structure in terms of safety, productivity, and versatility. Accessories can also extend the life of your pallet racking – protecting it from damage that can occur in the warehouse.

Common accessories include wire decking, which is used to help support the pallet when it is set on the rack beams, forming a strong foundation to prevent inventory from falling. Decking is often made from metal wire that is formed into a grid pattern and then positioned over the pallet rack. This creates a shelf for the pallets and often helps with fire safety regulations as water can flow more freely in case of emergency.

Pallet rack protectors are also common and a popular safety measure. These bright yellow protectors, which are typically made of steel, sit around the foundation of the pallet rack upright. This protects it from accidental hits that it might take from a forklift or other heavy machinery. These are especially important in keeping the structural integrity safe as there can be costly repairs if damaged.

Pallet rack anchors are great for keeping racking secured, especially over time. These meet OSHA requirements and are especially important to have in areas that experience seismic activity. With anchors in the concrete floor, your pallet racks will be extra stable. Want to know how to anchor pallet racks? Read our blog to discover the requirements for anchoring pallet racks.

Overall, warehouse pallet racks are an investment that you should highly consider keeping safe and supported. These accessories are good for that, and our team would be happy to find the best accessories for your needs. Making the investment in some of these items can increase the longevity and durability of your racking.

If you’ve made it this far, we hope you’re now an expert on pallet racking. Ultimately, an industrial pallet rack is great for streamlining operations to increase productivity and profitability. We specialize in this storage solution, so be sure to reach out to us if you’d like to discuss more.