8 Pallet Racking Guidelines


Choosing the right pallet rack requires thoughtful consideration. This is primarily because using the wrong rack can cause serious problems for your business. It can be a safety hazard and result in non-compliance with related laws. Check out the information below to learn about eight pallet racking guidelines that you should follow. These are various considerations that will factor into your decision when choosing racks.

8 Pallet Racking Guidelines

1. Storage Weight

One of the most important considerations when choosing a pallet rack is the weight of the product that you’ll be storing. Since you are likely to store different types of products, there’s a good chance that you will need a range of pallet racks. You can have racks designed to accommodate your specific needs. If you want to maintain uniformity, you’ll need to have pallet racks that are sufficient enough for the heaviest product.

2. Pallet Rack Dimensions

When choosing pallet racks, you’ll find that there are typical dimensions that can accommodate most business needs, including large manufacturers with products of all sizes. However, sometimes there are products with oversized dimensions that require a unique pallet design. You’ll need to prevent items from hanging over the pallet rack, which may require you to have a rack designed with dimensions that are outside of the norm. You may be able to use a skid, which is a rack that doesn’t contain boards at the bottom.

3. Flooring Specifications

The type of flooring you have is also a consideration when choosing a pallet rack. Since most warehouse environments contain a concrete floor, it’s important to know how much weight the flooring can handle. This can help determine the type of pallet rack you select. Essentially, you’ll need to choose a rack that’s a weight and height that accommodates the floor strength.

4. Government Regulations

There are usually regulations that must be considered when purchasing pallet racks. This will often involve considerations for fire, floods and earthquakes, among other potential disasters. These are all considerations that will have an influence on the design of the pallet racks. The location of building exits will also play a role in which pallet racks you choose because the law requires you to have a certain egress distance. This is the distance from various points in the building to the exit. You’ll have to make sure your pallet racks don’t impede movement to the exit door or hide exit signs.

5. Pallet Rack Design

When it comes to pallet racks, there are many different design possibilities. Choosing a design that’s best for you isn’t just about functionality, it’s also about aesthetics to some degree. While clearly you’ll need them to function optimally, you can also consider the appearance of the racks and choose what you find appealing.

6. Types of Reinforcements

If you have a heavy weight requirement, there’s a good chance that you will need to use reinforcements. This will often be in the form of braces that have the potential to double the strength of the pallet rack. The type of braces that you choose will play a significant role in the strength of the overall rack.

7. Insurance Requirements

Another important consideration is what your insurance provider requires. For instance, there are often insurance requirements that dictate the types of pallet racks that should be used and the safety features that are included. There is likely a sprinkler requirement that will need to be at a specific distance from and between the racks. This is something that should not be ignored because doing so could result in an invalid claim in the event that a problem occurs and the sprinklers are activated or fail to activate.

8. Building Needs

There are undoubtedly building requirements that you’ll need to follow. This might depend on the location of columns in the building and any lease requirements, if you are in fact leasing the building.

If you’re looking for a new solution for pallet racks to accommodate your current business needs, consider QLD Pallet Racking STOR’DStorage. They can help you make a decision that aligns with your specific needs.


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