Is heavy duty pallet racking necessary？

Why are heavy pallet racks welcomed by the warehouse management industry? Are heavy pallet racks a necessity in warehouse storage? What are the advantages of heavy pallet racks?

• What is a heavy pallet rack?

• What are the advantages of heavy pallet racks?

• Precautions for heavy pallet rack operation

What is a heavy pallet rack?

Heavy-duty pallet racks, also widely known as "pallet racks,"  and "warehouse racks," are heavy-duty racks typically used to store pallets in warehouses. The ability to increase storage capacity without leasing or building additional space allows pallet racks to be found in warehouses around the world. The size and capacity of pallet racks vary, depending on the needs of each application. There are a variety of pallet rack manufacturers who provide pallet racks in various colors, perforated styles, capacities and product quality. Pallet racks usually consist of upright frames, beams and wire decks on top of the beams.

During and after World War II, heavy pallet racks were first widely used to meet the demand for higher storage density. Shelves used in warehouses before the war could not meet the needs of large-scale industrial activities and supply chains during the war. Since then, businesses have used heavy pallet racks as a key part of their warehouse storage operations, and their use has expanded significantly. It is now the mainstay of almost all businesses that store large physical inventory. Heavy-duty pallet racks can also be used in non-warehouse applications to meet a variety of storage needs.

What are the advantages of heavy pallet racks?

Heavy-duty pallet racks have multiple storage advantages. Most importantly, the rack provides higher storage density, which translates into better utilization of available space overall. In a warehouse, space is money. Although warehouse storage racks require investment in the front end, they often provide a positive return on investment by allowing more product storage and throughput. Pallet shelves can also be seen as an organizational tool for warehouses, which directs traffic and inventory flows to a minimum and minimizes errors in an effective way. Not every aspect of every type of pallet rack system is advantageous. For example, compared to other types of shelves, some types of shelves may lack density, and some shelves may be denser than others. In summary, the use of pallet racks in warehouses means higher storage density and selectivity than warehouses without shelves at all. When it comes to warehouse storage, pallet racks provide an optimal, easy-to-maintain solution. They are the most common way to store pallet goods in the world, and they are used in most warehouses, manufacturing facilities, commercial operations and even retail stores. Whether you're dealing with selective, pushback, push-in, or other types of racks, the issues are usually similar.

Precautions for heavy pallet rack operation

1.Do not climb on heavy pallet racks. Each of us is busy from time to time (especially in a warehouse environment with a lot of trouble). To save time, people sometimes climb pallet racks to take orders or do other things. Although a busy picker may entice yourself to climb up and get a needed box when climbing up a floor tray, it is very dangerous to do so. Heavy duty pallet racking are not designed for climbing; they can break boards, protruding nails, and cracked stings that can yield or pierce the hand to be held under a person's weight.

2. Do not overload heavy pallet racks. Knowing the capacity of the heavy duty pallet racking before loading is critical to ensuring worker safety. For example, if your pallet is not designed for heavy loads, collapse is inevitable. Make sure your rack can support your load, especially at higher levels (if you don't see the load on the heavy duty pallet racking, check the manufacturer's specifications). Better yet, store the heaviest cargo in a lower compartment or floor. Organize your storage space so that under mixed loads, the lightest pallets are placed on the elevated shelf and the heavier pallets are placed on the lower shelf.

3. Avoid damage to heavy pallet racks. Heavy pallet racks can be subject to various abuses in the warehouse: overload / misloading, collisions with heavy forklifts, etc. Therefore, even the most sturdy shelves require some careful handling, processes, protective equipment, and other help to continue using them. Preventing and reducing pallet rack damage includes training the forklift driver in proper driving and loading procedures, limiting the speed of the forklift, keeping the warehouse tidy, widening the aisles, conducting regular rack inspections, ensuring that the beam clamps are fixed, etc. Focus on training and protection products such as steel guardrails, bollards, and vertical frame protectors. A collapsed rack bracket can be more expensive than a simple training program or a complete rack protector. You should also consider the environment of your heavy duty pallet racking. For example, seismic zones have different sets of criteria. Racks installed outdoors or exposed to the wind may reduce their rated capacity. Racks installed on inappropriate or uneven floors may also be affected.

4. Don't ignore the ratio of height to depth. When designing heavy pallet racks, people tend to pay attention to easy-to-use components (beam capacity, capacity of a pair of beams, etc.) to ensure a safe and reliable rack system. But there is another factor that many people don't understand and often overlook: the ratio of height to depth. The Rack Manufacturers Association (RMI) defines the height of a row of racks as 'ratio from the ground to the ratio of the depth of the frame divided by the horizontal distance of the top beam'-this ratio cannot exceed 6 to 1 . Because steps such as special holders and baseplates or overhead strapping may be required, be sure to consult a professional rack engineer to ensure rack safety. Generally, if you have any questions about this ratio, it is best to consult your rack provider.

5. Avoid incorrect or unsafe rack loading. heavy pallet racks carry more than just structural weight. When goods are placed on a storage rack, their size, shape, and size / density are essential for safe and efficient warehouse storage. To avoid incorrect or unsafe rack loading, it is important to consider not only weight, but also what type of load to place on the wire platform, how to place it, and how it affects capacity.

The safe use of heavy pallet racks means knowing the load capacity, knowing how to use the shelves properly, preventing parts from being damaged, and more importantly, you have to buy qualified products.If you are looking for a supplier of heavy duty pallet racking that can provide you with high quality products at reasonable prices, Jiangsu NOVA Intelligent Logistics Equipment Co., Ltd. will be a wise choice.