Pallet Racks and Storage Shelving Systems
Pallet Racking review
Pallet racks are heavy-duty shelving systems used in warehouses and retail spaces to store palletized goods. They’re built from upright frames (vertical posts) and horizontal beams (crossbars) that lock together to support heavy loads. Many racks also include wire decking or safety bars for added strength.
They can be arranged in single, double, or multi-level rows and are typically loaded and unloaded with forklifts. Understanding pallet rack structure and weight distribution is essential for safe fixture mobilization, since these racks are large, heavy, and often fully stocked during a move.
Here are the main parts of a pallet rack:
- Upright Frames (Posts/Columns)
- The tall vertical structures on each side of the rack.
- Have slots or holes where the beams connect.
- Provide the main support for the rack.
- Beams (Crossbars)
- Horizontal bars that connect between two uprights.
- Hold pallets in place and carry the load.
- Can be adjusted to different heights.
- Base Plates
- Steel plates welded or bolted at the bottom of uprights.
- Anchor the rack to the floor for stability.
- (Shelves) Wire Decking / Pallet Supports
- Grated or solid panels that sit across the beams.
- Prevent pallets or boxes from falling through.
- Distribute weight more evenly.
- Safety Clips / Beam Locks
- Small metal clips that lock beams into the upright slots.
- Keep beams from being knocked loose by forklifts or pallet movement.
- Row Spacers / Column Protectors (Optional)
- Row spacers keep back-to-back racks the right distance apart.
- Column protectors are guards at the base to protect uprights from forklift impact.
Pallet rack types
Pallet racks are available in light-duty or heavy-duty weight capacities. The type of pallet rack you’ll find depends on the merchandise or materials being stored.
For example, in a home improvement store, light-duty pallet racks would hold lighter merchandise, such as small appliances or hand tools. Heavy-duty pallet racks would hold heavier merchandise, such as bags of concrete mix.
