For those who aren’t already aware, pallet racking storage is a specific type of shelving system which is mainly used in warehouses and factories for storing pallets to carry large, heavy or bulkier items.

The construction is simple: a pallet racking system consists of a basic shelving system/structure, but instead of using flat shelves for the pallets to rest on, a racking system is constructed with flat horizontal steel bars.

Each business can then arrange to utilise the racking in any way it sees fit or appropriate, taking into account the overall floor space available, the height of the storage facility and the need for stock accessibility. A pallet racking system is probably the most versatile and cost-effective storage system available and will serve the majority of businesses well. But, what sorts of pallet racking systems are generally available?

Double Deep Pallet Racking.

Double deep racking is a warehouse pallet racking systems in which the shelves or bars are doubled up. This doubling up effectively makes each shelf or set of bars two pallets deep. The beauty of this method of storage is that it provides condensed storage opportunities and therefore means the there is a greater ability to store more pallets and more goods on the pallets. However, accessibility remains an important issue: because of the doubling up of storage it is not necessarily suitable for warehouses that store perishable goods, as the doubling up process means the storage is organised on a FILO, or first-in-last-out basis. Double deep racking also has manoeuvrability implications as any forklifts trucks used will need to be equipped with extra-long forks.

Selective Pallet Racking.

This is the standard method of arranging shelving in warehouses, and consists of one pallet rack running along the length of each warehouse wall and paired racks running back-to-back through the middle of the storage facility like book shelves. The beauty of this system is that it allows full access to all stock at any time. It is ideal for those businesses with perishable stock that only has a short shelf life or those businesses who usually only stock one pallet per item. Alternatively some businesses operate what is known as a narrow aisle pallet racking system, though a special forklift with a rotating fork to take pallets out from either side of the aisle will be required.

Drive-In and Drive-Through Pallet Racks.

Drive-in and drive-through pallet racks let a forklift driver drive into a block of pallet rack shelving and rest the pallet down on rails that run along the shelves. The advantage of this system is that it allows the storage of pallets with no isles. However, this is only suitable so long as good access to the pallets in the middle of the block is not important.

Push Back Pallet Racks.

This is undoubtedly one of the cleverest and most-innovative forms of racking system, and utilises a row of shelving, back to back, with the shelves on a slight decline. Pallets are then placed at the higher end and are pushed down so the next pallet can be loaded. This provides a first-in first-out (FIFO) system and is commonly used in fresh produce warehouses.

General Racking Issues.

Although there are many types of pallet racking available, it’s important to try to keep it the racking system as simple as possible and ensure that it delivers what is required. Suppliers should be able to help you design the lay out of your new pallet racking system in a way that is best suited for the business. A good supplier, like Monarch Shelving, will also give you the option of buying used pallet racking materials which can save you a considerable amount of money.