Pallet rack systems are extremely efficient and cost-effective storage solutions, and they have become the ideal choice for businesses that operate out of a warehouse or another similar facility. Simply deciding to use a pallet rack system, however, doesn’t guarantee that you will automatically obtain the perfect storage system for your particular operation. There are some steps that need to be taken in order to ensure your chosen pallet racking is as efficient as it should be, specifically when it comes to configuring your system and how it is laid out on your ground floor. By adhering to the following guidelines you can make sure that your pallet rack system is properly set up and can help lead to meeting the storage and production standards you have set forth for your company.

Take Accurate Measurements

In order to get a good idea of how to configure your pallet rack system, you first must focus on what types of goods you are storing and what types of pallets you will be using. You will need to measure the length, depth, and width of the standard pallet you choose, as well as get the same measurements – with an extra measurement for the height – for the largest load you plan to store. These measurements will help you precisely determine how much space you need to create a storage bay in your pallet rack system. It is important to remember to always leave an additional 10 inches of space between the start of a new bay to ensure that you can safely load and retrieve your palletized goods. However, by taking accurate measurements you can maximize your storage capabilities and not waste valuable storage space in your facility.

Determine Your Maximum Weight

Calculating the weight of the largest load you plan to store is equally as important as taking accurate measurements. Pallet rack systems vary in the amount of weight they can support – those weight limits are outlined by the respective manufacturer – so it’s important to know how much your goods weigh so you can ensure the storage system you choose will be able to safely secure your goods without the threat of collapse. While the likelihood of every pallet you store weighing the same is not realistic, the reason you use the maximum weight is to ensure that any load can be stored in any particular bay without issue.

Leave Proper Spacing

Having proper spacing between the rows in your pallet rack system is imperative to ensure that you leave enough room to operate the material handling equipment you intend to use to load and retrieve your goods. For instance, pallet jacks likely won’t require as much space as forklifts do to safely navigate in an area, while some types of forklifts require more space than others. Knowing what type of material handling equipment you intend to use will help you configure a more efficient system.

Improve the System’s Safety Aspects

Any time you can improve safety at your facility, you should strongly consider it. When configuring pallet racking, there are multiple products you can add to improve the safety aspects of the overall system. Some specific products you should be aware of are wire mesh decking, post protectors, safety netting, levels, and rack guard. Wire decking and safety netting can help keep employees safe as they help prevent goods from falling off a pallet, while rack guards and post protectors keep the overall system safe from damage that can occur when forklifts and other equipment come into contact with the system.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites. http://www.aceshelf.com/

Author Bio: Charlie O\’Brien is a professional writer specializing in the material handling industry. His writing focuses on new and used pallet rack, cantilever rack, and other industrial shelving, and his work has been featured on multiple material handling industry websites.

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