Three Things You Need To Know About Storage System

Storage System, otherwise known as Pallet Racking System or Racking Storage System or even Warehouse Storage System, are a method of storing, loading and unloading stored goods and items into warehouse areas. Storage systems are a form of warehouse management as they enable storing equipment that enables you to easily manage your warehouse items as well as keeping your workers and products safe and efficient. Storage systems are widely used and popular in the industrial sectors such as facilities, retailing centers and even distribution facilities. 

In this article, we will be looking into some basic information to help you understand the storage system better.

1. The Components of Storage System
Generally, a standard storage racking system would consist of 5 components. These components include: –

• Horizontal cross beams
• Vertical Upright Frames
• Supports
• Additional decking supports
• Post Protectors

2. The Types of Metal Variants Used in Producing Horizontal Cross Beams
More often, the horizontal cross beams found in storage racking systems are made of 3 types of metal variants. Here is a short description for each type of metal variants used to create cross beams in storage systems:-

1. Structural steel: This variant of steel is durable in structure and is tolerant to minor damages. Therefore, the durable structure and minor damage-resistance has ensured structural steel to be able to handle a low maintenance cost throughout its serving lifespan. Structural steel pallet rack beams are slightly more expensive than the roll-formed steel as the structure of the pallet rack is imparted through the structural steel that has been molded into its final shape while it has been cast from iron. 
2. Roll-formed steel: This variant of steel pallet rack beams are made and cut out from large and thin sheets of steel and then the structure and shape are accordingly imparted. This type of steel cross beam has very little durability and structural integrity and is prone to structural damage. Roll-formed steel is usually more affordable as compared to the other steel variants.
3. Hybrid steel: As its name implies, this type of pallet rack beam material is a combined mixture of both the variants of steel mentioned above. The roll-formed steel is used in ideally areas of low impact, inner parts of the storage system racks. However, the structural steel is generally used in high-impact zones of the rack system such as the base, the face, and the frames.

3. The Categories of Storage System

The components that are used in supporting and sustaining different types of storage system can be broadly categorized into 3 types: –

1. Decking Materials: Decking materials are made of common materials such as steel beams, wire mesh decking, wooden deckings, carts, gravity rollers, solid deckings. Decking materials are used to secure and provide additional support to sustain the Pallet Racks.
2. Post Protectors: Post Protectors contain additional protection that can be imparted to the Storage Racks in anchorage form to the ground. Post Protectors are used to tolerate the usual damages that can be caused from forklifts and cranes.
3. Material Finish: Material Finish is made of galvanised materials that can be used for external protection of Pallet Racks; while epoxy or powder coat finish may be provided to preserve the racks from corrosion.

Storage systems play an important role in ensuring the safety and storing loaded goods in warehouse areas. Now that you know about these three things, you might learn to appreciate and understand storage systems better.