rack | Warehousing Insights | Material Handling Systems - Part 2
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Racks, Shelving and Automation: Options for Effective Storage

November 1, 2022

Shelving and rack structure warehouse mezzanine with picking bins

Warehouse racks and industrial shelving are sort of like alligators and crocodiles: they look alike, they do similar things, and they are often mixed up. Both are vertical structures that have horizontal shelves for industrial storage. But they aren’t the same thing–they have distinctive missions and functions. Most warehouses use both types of storage for various types of loads, and there are gray areas where either can be used, depending on the storage strategy. Knowing the differences can help you store your inventory more efficiently and effectively.

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Posted in Automation, Labor & Efficiency|

Pallet Rack Evaluation: Safety

September 27, 2022

Pallet rack being evaluated.

Pallet racks are integral to modern warehousing and aren’t static systems. Safety has always been one of the most critical aspects of warehousing and pallet racks have an outsized influence on warehouse safety. When you evaluate your rack, always take time to look for safety issues.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

When To Replace Pallet Rack

July 21, 2022

View of warehouse pallet rack used for storage

As a long-term investment, pallet racks tend to “go the distance”; you can count on them to retain their strength and integrity for years.

Even so, replacing your pallet rack might be a matter of damage (over time or suddenly) or from other reasons such as age or changes in your storage operation. Let’s review the reasons you might want to partially or fully replace your rack.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Pallet Rack Evaluation: Storage Density

June 9, 2022

Walking in the warehouse to evaluate a pallet rack layout.

Space utilization has always been important, but in today’s environment of tight real estate, materials and labor, it’s critical to efficiently use every last inch of your space. Industrial space is in high demand, so finding ways to squeeze more from your pallet rack system is more important than ever. Is underutilized square footage is hiding in your rack system?

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Pallet Rack Evaluation: Storage and Retrieval Speed Improvements

May 3, 2022

Loading a pallet into a high-bay rack system with a forklift
Your rack system is your business, if you’re operating a warehouse or distribution center—or, it at least holds your business.

Pallet racks aren’t simply rows of storage shelves, and you shouldn’t treat them that way. Something so fundamental to a warehousing operation can and should be evaluated for improvement. One of the chief roles of a rack system is to allow efficient, quick access to stored products. How fast can you store things? How fast can you retrieve them?

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Pallet Racks and Warehouse Slab Specification

February 22, 2022

Photo of a warehouse floor, with a mezzanine installed on the left and a pallet rack system installed on the right.

Because high-bay warehouses with narrow aisles and heights of 30 feet or more have become common, it’s critical to understand your facility floor if you intend to add racks, change layouts or otherwise alter the operation. If you’re adding or changing an existing facility, and the design has changed so that higher density, taller or heavier racks are in play, what factors should you consider?

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

How to Specify Pallet Rack Safety Netting

January 13, 2022

Pallet rack safety net catches cartons to prevent falling items from landing below.

Any aisle that overlooks an area where people work, shop or walk should be protected against falling items, and rack netting is one of the most common ways to do that. It’s relatively inexpensive, full-time protection that can also help you maintain NFPA flue space requirements.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Pallet Rack Safety Standards: What You Need to Know

December 7, 2021

Warehouse pallet rack system

In some countries, pallet rack safety standards are much more rigorous and defined than in the United States. The U.S. lives in more of a gray zone, with overlap from multiple organizations and building code standards. However, safety is always a concern for warehouses or other facilities that use pallet racks, and a lack of standards hardly means a lack of accountability.

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Posted in Pallet & Warehouse Racks|

Pallet Racks and Outdoor Storage

November 4, 2021

 

Pallet rack installed outdoors, with overhead roof.

Above:  outdoor pallet rack with wind break wall and sloped roof

Pallet racks are designed for indoor applications, where they’re safe from the rigors of cold, heat, moisture and wind. However, you will sometimes need outdoor storage. We see those frequently in retail, manufacturing and fabrication operations. Sometimes, rack storage also serves as overflow in distribution operations or warehousing. Seasonal storage is often an outdoor racking application.

For outdoor installations, rack specifications can be different from indoor applications for the exact same load profiles due to environmental factors and the punishment racks take from wind and elements. But you can use racks outdoors safely.

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Pallet Rack Load Distribution Guide

October 19, 2021

Heavy duty pallet racks with loaded beams, cartons, pallets and other heavy items.
Pallet racks are probably the most common warehouse storage equipment in the world, and for good reason: they’re safe, versatile and use the vertical cube of high-bay warehouses when correctly specified, loaded, unloaded and used within the rack’s tolerance. Load distribution–the way a load sits on your racks–is a critical factor for safe usage. Here’s how to get it right.

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