Warehouse racking systems increase storage capacity and streamline workflows, by reducing product movement in the facility. This reduces handling and improves order completion rates.

Choose the types of warehouse racking systems that suits your business. To ensure load safety, you should consider the weight capacity of each component of your warehouse rack.

Selective Racking

The most common type of pallet racking in warehouses, selective pallet racks allow you to store loads of different sizes and types. Its design means that forklifts can access individual pallet locations without moving any others, which helps to speed up the loading and unloading process. This system allows you to easily change beam levels depending on your inventory and stock rotation needs.

The load beams that support the upright frames and connect them are fixed to different heights in order to accommodate different loads. They are galvanised hot to increase their corrosion resistance and make them suitable for harsh environments. The connectors that connect the beams to uprights are fitted a safety pin. This prevents accidental displacement, and improves the overall security of the structure.

The baseplates are installed under the load beams, distributing the load evenly over the floor to ensure stability. They are also available in welded versions, which are ideal for distributing heavy loads. The upright columns are the side supports for the structure and are attached to the ground by way of footplates. The upright columns can also be fitted with a coil support to accommodate different load sizes and weights, making this rack system more versatile. The markers are rectangular metal plate that are fixed on the external parts of uprights. They display the aisle numbers.

Drive-In Racking

Drive-in and drive-through racking systems are often used to maximize storage capacity. They use load rails that are made from structural steel, eliminating the need for service aisles. This allows products to be loaded and unloaded on both sides of the system using single or double forklifts. They also cost less than some other racking systems. It is important that the racking be designed to resist damage by forklifts. This can be achieved by installing rubrails, which is a continuous stripe of metal running from the front to rear of the system. These can be constructed of hot-rolled c-channel or structural angle, and can also help protect uprights from impact damage.

Pallet beams, also called pallet support rails, are another important feature in drive-in racks. Pallets are supported on these horizontal profiles at each level of the compact drive-in rack. Pallet beams are typically selective rack beams, and they can be secured to the frame using conventional endplates and a welded baseplate.

This type of rack can accommodate a wide range products, as it can support different pallet sizes and weights. It is particularly appropriate for storing homogenous products that have a high number of pallets per SKU and require little to no order picking. It is also an excellent solution for warehouses where space optimization is more important than direct access to unit load. Drive-in racking also supports the LIFO inventory method, which is ideal for goods with a short shelf-life.

Push Back Racking

Push back racking can be a great option for warehouses that want to increase their storage capacity. This type of racking is ideal for reducing the amount of aisle space needed, as it stores pallets in depth. This allows warehouse managers the ability to use the full height of their facility and reduces inventory handling costs. This racking system is also a good choice for facilities that use LIFO inventory systems. It’s also a practical option for cold storage and climate controlled environments.

The design of push back racking systems can vary depending on several factors, including the type and volume of inventory to be stored and the available space in the warehouse. However, the basic components of a pushback racking system include the galvanized frame, nested carts, and structural rails. These rails, which are set at a gentle incline, guide and retain the nested carts.

The stacked carts, which are typically made from welded steel or aluminum, nest together to save space and create a more stable structure that protects product from damage and deterioration. In addition, the nested carts can be designed to accommodate special non-standard pallets and products with weaker pallets. The rack is easily integrated into warehouse management systems and order fulfilment technologies. It may be able to offer First-In/First Out (FIFO) or Last-In/First Out (LIFO) functionality, depending on the system. A warehouse operator can also move products into and out of the pushback lane, without disturbing the adjacent locations or moving other products in the vicinity.

Drive-Through Racking

Drive-in or drive-through racking, also known as hallway shelves, is a versatile solution that allows warehouses to maximize their storage space without having to expand their physical facilities. These racking systems use the same basic structure of selective racking. They use uprights and horizontal beams for shelving levels. However, they’re accessible from only one side so material handlers can easily access the pallets.

These racking systems can be ideal for products with strict first-in/firstout requirements. They’re also useful for companies with a large number of pallets of the same product that must be stored in bulk. This system is ideal for seasonal inventory, such as food products or holiday items that are sold quickly.