A Basic Guide to the Pallet Racking System

Pallet Racking System, also known as racking system or warehouse storage system, is a method of storage aid system that is often used in warehouses in industrial areas. Since the Second World War, pallet racks have become a common element for many modern warehouses, manufacturing facilities, retail centers, and other storage and distribution facilities for the industrial sector. All types of pallet racking increase storage density of the stored goods. Costs related to pallet racking systems often increase with increasing storage density.

The Purpose of Pallet Racking System

The pallet racking system is designed to store and take out stocks and stored goods placed on pallets that are in horizontal rows and on multiple levels. These pallets are later vertically stacked onto the racks; hence, creating more space in the warehouse. 

While there are many versions of pallet racking, all types of pallet racking systems are enabled for the storage of palletized materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels. Forklift trucks are often needed to place in and unload the stored pallets onto the racks for storage purposes. 

The Construction of Pallet Racking Systems

Pallet racking systems are usually made of horizontal cross beams that are attached to vertical upright frames. These cross beams and upright frames create and provide supportive industrial shelving that palletized material that can be easily accessed by forklifts. 
 

Pallet rack beams generally come in three different varieties, which are : 

• Roll-formed steel: This type of steel pallet rack beams are cut out from large and thin sheets of steel and then the structure and shape are accordingly imparted. This type of steel has very little durability and structural integrity and is susceptible to structural damage. Roll-formed steel is generally more affordable as compared to the other steel variants.
• Structural steel: This type of steel is durable in structure and is resistant to minor damages. Therefore, the durable structure and minor damage-resistance has granted structural steel to handle a low maintenance cost throughout its lifetime. 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. 
• Hybrid steel: As its name suggested, this type of pallet rack beam material is a combined mixture of the two variants of steel stated above. The roll-formed steel is used in ideally areas of low impact, inner parts of the Pallet racks. On the other hand, the structural steel is usually used in high-impact zones of the rack system like the base, the face, and the frames.

Ways to Assemble Pallet Racking System

The common methods to assemble racks in warehouse settings is by welding, bolting or clipping. Steel pallet rack structures are designed and structured to enable forklift operators to store the highest amount of inventory loaded on pallets, while still including accessibility for picking orders. Pallet racking systems are designed to protect the products in storage. If the pallet racks are optimized well, it will enable a smooth and steady flow of product within a warehouse.

The Various Types of Pallet Racking System

1. Boltless Racking System
2. Gondola Racking System
3. Cantilever Racking System
4. Drive in Racking System
5. Heavy/Medium Racking System
6. Double Deep Racking System
7. Multi-Tier Heavy Duty Racking
8. Selective Racking System