Choosing the perfect shelving system for your business’ storage needs is easy – well in theory at least it should be.
The problem is the more you think about it, the more complicated and convoluted it can get.
Yes it’s relatively easy to work out what you want to store and how much space you’ll need for shelving, but then you’re faced with the problem of buying the right sort of storage equipment. Get the choice wrong and it will cost you – big time. So you’ll need to think very carefully about your storage requirements, particularly if you’re setting up a storage area for the first time. So, to help you out we’ve drawn up a check list on what you’ll need to create the perfect shelving system.
What are you going to put on the shelving?
What you store on the shelving determines the type of shelving that you’ll need. So figure out what you intend to store, how much of it there is, and the sizes and dimensions of the storage materials. It’s important to remember that the shelving system you choose has to fit the products you wish to store. If you’re going to store a variety of different sized items, then load these items into storage boxes and containers. It’s not only neater, but it will also make the products easier to locate.
What weight will the shelving be carrying?
The heavier the goods you store; the stronger the duty of shelving you’ll need. You’ll need to work out the loading required per shelf, and find a shelving system that is sufficiently strong and robust. The shelf load capacity is usually given as a UDL (uniformly distributed load) and is measured in Kilograms. Err on the side of overestimation, and choose a shelving system with a greater loadbearing capacity than needed. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Make the shelving system efficient.
How often will the goods you store on the shelving need to be accessed? Will you require easy access picking levels? Will you need a labelling system for easy identification? How high is the shelving going to be and is it going to be easily accessible to pickers? Will you need mobile safety steps to give access to the highest shelves?
Measure up.
Measurements are crucial, so take your time and measure accurately. Measure the room’s head clearance, length and width. Make a note of doorways, windows, pipe work, lighting, radiators or trunking that may protrude and impact the location of the shelving. Fire exits must always remain clear and unobstructed. Don’t assume the shelving will fit, because generally it won’t.
Plan the layout.
Once you’ve measured up, you’ll need to plan your layout. The layout has to be as efficient and ergonomic as possible. There are all sorts of configurations that you could use, but the final decision will be determined by what’s best for you and your business. Remember to allow for any obstructions you may have identified, and play around with plans and sketches until you’re sure of the best layout.
Pick the right type of shelving.
It might sound obvious, but it is crucial. If you’re after a quick and easy storage fix, then it’s arguable that boltless shelving will be the right choice for you. Boltless shelving is becoming the increasingly popular shelving solution for small businesses and domestic applications. You no longer need to spend hours bolting the steel shelving together: with the help of a simple rubber mallet you can build an entire bay of shelving in minutes.
