What is a pallet racking system? | Racking & Shelving

When it comes to finding the best shelving and racking solution for your warehouse or stockroom it can feel like the options are endless and impossible to choose between. Whilst it’s true that there are lots of different shelving and racking systems to choose from, once you narrow down your options to suit your needs the choice is often a lot simpler than you think. Read on and we’ll explain why pallet racking is such a popular choice with our clients.

Pallet racking systems are by far the most popular racking systems for warehouses, stockrooms and other commercial and industrial settings across the UK, and further afield.

A pallet racking system is an efficient way of storing pallets of goods in specially designed shelves that need to be accessible by a forklift. Pallet racking systems have lots of shelves for storage which means you can make the most of your vertical space, freeing up floor space for an efficient warehouse where clutter is kept to a minimum.

What is a pallet racking system made of?

Pallet racking systems are durable, sturdy metal structures, comprised of two main parts:

Vertical supports

The vertical supports in a pallet racking system are upright beams which support each corner of each shelf. These vertical supports on your pallet racking system can be as tall as you need them to be, often reaching all the way to the ceiling to make the most of every inch of vertical space available.

These supports are covered in holes which allow you to easily set and adjust the height of your shelves as needed, simply by slotting the horizontal beams in where you want them.

Horizontal beams

It takes two horizontal beams, one at the front and one at the back, to make a shelf that a pallet can lie across and be supported by. These cross beams are fully adjustable as your stock rotates and requirements change.

The basic structure of a pallet racking system is often supported by various accessories , including the following:

Wire Decking

Wire decking is a mesh made of thick wire which sits between the horizontal beams forming the shelves. Wire decking is the most commonly added accessory to pallet racking systems as it gives the shelves a much bigger surface area. This means that pallets don’t have to be placed so precisely on the cross beams as there’s no worry of them falling through the middle with the wire mesh there to support them.

Safety panels

Safety panels are very similar to wire decking, in that they are essentially a metal wire mesh, but they are used on the vertical beams instead. These safety panels are barriers between the pallets on the shelves and the edge of the shelves, and protect your stored pallets from falling off the sides of your racking. This is particularly important as the shelves get higher up.

Safety panels are bespoke to your requirements and come in lots of different sizes and materials depending on the needs of your particular pallet racking system.

Post protectors

Post protectors cover the lower parts of the vertical supports of your pallet racking system. The protectors wrap around the supports, protecting them from potential damage from forklifts or anything else at floor level.

What are the benefits of a pallet racking system?

Maximising storage space

With a pallet racking system you aren’t confined to storage at ground level. Pallet racking systems can be built up to fill every inch of vertical space available, making use of space which may previously have been completely wasted.

This is particularly important in these times of rising costs when moving into bigger spaces may just not be an option. You can increase your storage capacity enormously without changing your premises, but simply by changing how you use it.

The layout of your pallet storage system can also have a big impact on the amount of storage space you have available. Getting help and advice with the design of your layout is a good way of checking that you’re making the most of your space, and we’re always on hand to help.

Increasing efficiency

Good organisation always leads to increased efficiency. Installing a pallet racking system allows you to keep your stock organised and under control, making stock rotation much easier and quicker.

As well as the increased organisation, pallet racking systems allow for much easier and quicker access to stock. It also means your stock can be much more visible and more easily located when needed, saving you and your employees wasting time rummaging through stock or having to move pallets around to find the one you need.

Making your space safer

Pallet racking systems can make a big improvement to the safety of your warehouse or stockroom. Clearing your floor of obstacles and hazards significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring due to trips, falls and collisions.

In addition to this, the sturdy and secure structure of the pallet racking (especially when paired with accessories designed to increase safety such as wire decking and safety panels) makes stock falling from the shelves much less likely. The vertical supports can also be bolted directly into the floor to make them even more secure.

Types of pallet racking systems

There are several variations of pallet racking systems available for specific needs. Some of the most popular variations include:

• Drive-in racking systems - these are specifically designed for easy access via forklifts. Best paired with some post protectors to avoid damage.

• Push-back racking systems - these are great for storing lots of the same pallets at the same time, as they allow several pallets to be stored in line, each new pallet pushing back the one behind it further away from the aisle.

• Cantilever racking systems - these are perfect for storing long thin items such as planks or pipes.