Pallet racking can come in many forms and can be called many different things. Sometimes pallet racking is referenced by brand names like Dexion and Colby and sometimes pallet racking is known by its racking type such as Roller racking.
This is your guide to all those terms so that you can better understand anything and everything to do with pallet racking.
Racking storage and pallet shelving are also terms you may hear concerning pallet racking. Here is a list of some other words that mean pallet racking:
- Racking and shelving
- Warehouse racking
- Racking systems
- Industrial pallet racks
- Metal racking systems
- Industrial storage racking
- Industrial racking systems
Here are some useful terms you may come across and may be useful to you when researching pallet racking.
Pallet
A Pallet is a flat, wooden crate-like structure with a base and no sides. Wooden pallets have a strong grid structure specifically designed to be manoeuvred by a forklift.
Racking
Racking refers to any sort of shelving or storage systems. Racking typically takes advantage of vertical height but this is not always the case.
Pallet Racking
Pallet Racking are shelves made up of several components (uprights, frames and beams) made of steel. They hold wooden pallets for storage, typically in a warehouse or supermarket. Pallet Racking can be any width and height and there are many brands of racking out there. Pallet Racking can be single or multi-level.
Uprights
Uprights refer to the vertical steel struts that give the pallet racking height. Uprights contain several holes which mean the shelf heights are adjustable.
Frames
Frames are two uprights bolted together with bracings (see meaning below). The depth of the frame is adjustable and can be suited to any pallet size.
Bracings
Bracings are horizontal and diagonal supports that connect two uprights together.
Beams
Beams are steel bars that fit into frames to create a shelf for pallets to be stored upon. Beams are used in pairs to create prongs that pallets are slid onto. Beams are adjustable on the frames so any size pallet racking can fit.
Bay
A Bay is the space created with the frames and beams. Two frames and two beams put together make up one bay. You can have several hundreds of bays with pallet racking if you need.
Pick Face
A Pick Face is the space created by pallet racking that pallets can be loaded and stored upon.
Footplates (also known as Baseplates)
Footplates are steel squares that are secured to the uprights and are used to anchor the racking. Footplates contain holes for anchor bolts so the racking can be secured to concrete floors. Footplates increase the stability and overall weight-bearing capacity of the racking.
Different Types of Racking Systems:
FIFO (first in, first out)
FIFO is a storage system method which uses the first in, first out technique. This means the first thing to go on the racking is then the first thing to be removed. This allows products to be ideally rotated in and out of the racking by the first in, first out method. This means nothing is standing too long in the racks and the products can be loaded and unloaded by operators quickly and reduces risk in the workplace.
LIFO (last in, first out) (also known as: FILO (first in, last out))
LIFO means the last pallet to be stacked into the racking will be the first to be removed. This is the opposite of FIFO (above).
Flow Racking or Roller Racking (also known as: Gravity Flow Racking or Pallet Live Storage)
Flow Racking is pallet racking that contains rollers on the base so pallets can flow in and out of storage. This systems works well as a FIFO operation as the first pallets roll to the front side of the rack to be removed and the pallets behind do not get in the way.
Dynamic Storage System (also known as Dynamic Storage or Dynamic Warehousing)
Dynamic Storage System refers to the way pallets are stored on racks. A Dynamic storage system works by storing pallets in random locations on pallet racking. There is not predetermined order so pallets can be stored anywhere in the warehouse under this storage system.
Static Storage System
A Static Storage System is a warehouse organisation system that has predetermined spots for pallets and products. They tend to be stored categorically. This is the complete opposite to a Dynamic Storage System.
High Density Storage
High Density Storage means fitting more pallets in to a smaller space, this means less wasted space and more aisle space. High Density Storage systems are organisation such as shelving that slot together to create the most storage possible in the least amount of space. Pallet racking storage comes in many different formats but most of these utilise this high-density packing concept.
Push Back Racking (also known as: Pushback Racking)
Push Back Racking is pallet storage that has more depth than typical pallet racking; you can get up to six pallets on Push Back Racking. This form of pallet racking is a good example of high density storage.
Drive-In Racking (also known as: Drive-Thru Racking)
Drive-In Racking is a form of pallet racking that uses a forklift to load and unload the pallets. Drive-In Racking has a rail on which pallets slide into the racking which encourages more high density storage.
Double Deep Racking
Double Deep Racking is pallet racking that stores two pallets back to back on shelving so it holds twice as much as single-deep racking. Double Deep Racking tends to be used alongside a forklift attachment (see below).
Selective Racking
Selective Racking is pallet racking storage that is one pallet deep and uses the FIFO system.
Satellite Racking (also known as Pallet Shuttle)
Satellite Racking uses a remote control which operators use to send a signal to the satellite (an automated platform) that can move pallets deeper into the racking. There are loading docks where operators load pallets and can then send instructions to the satellite to move the pallet around. Satellite Racking can store up to 36 pallets at one time.
Tools Used Alongside Racking Systems:
Reach Truck (also known as Reach Forklift Truck)
Reach Trucks are designed to reach up to extreme heights. Reach Trucks are great to use when there are narrow aisles or towering mezzanines and have incredible manoeuvrability and lift capacity.
Forklift (also known as: Lift Truck or a Counterbalance Forklift)
A Forklift is a mechanical power-operated small vehicle used to move objects typically across industrial warehouse spaces. They have two fork-like prongs on the front of the vehicle which fit inside pallets to lift them up. The operator sits down to use this vehicle and needs a special license in order to drive one. Counterbalance Forklifts are the most common forklifts and get their name from the large counterweight on the back of the truck to counterbalance the load being lifted on the front.
Double Forklift (also known as a Double Reach Truck)
Double Forklifts are built to carry two pallet loads at one time and are suited for Double Deep Racking or Drive-In Racking.
Forklift Attachment
Forklift Attachments are contraptions that add on functions to forklifts. There are many types of Forklift Attachments such as Sideshift and Fork Positioners.
Stand-Up Forklift (also known as: Stand-on or Electric Riders)
Stand-Up Forklifts are similar to Forklifts however they can be operated in a smaller space as the operator stands up to use it. These are typically used when the operator has to get on and off the forklift repeatedly.
Pallet Racking Organisations:
SEMA
SEMA stands for Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association. SEMA is a private organisation that advises the UK Government about storage equipment and its safety. They are the industry specialists that represent the rest of the commercial storage industry. SEMA also work with Health and Safety England and the European Union to provide insight on the safe use of storage equipment. They have many courses and Code of Practice documents available on their website.
Apex Storage Limited
Apex Storage Limited is one of the top suppliers of pallet racking in the UK. They provide various racking systems for industrial settings and office settings.
Rackaware
Rackaware are an independent company that focus on the safety of racking storage systems in the UK. They work with racking companies around the UK (such as Apex Storage Limited) and work with many SEMA approved inspectors and training courses.
Common Brands of Pallet Racking:
Dexion
Colby
Link 51
Hi-Lo (or HILO)
PSS
Stow
Next Steps:
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