Choosing the Right Pallet Racking

If you need pallet racking or are planning to add to your existing racking, you need to be certain that it will be the right fit for your factory or warehouse. It is vital that the pallet racking system you have in place can meet all of your requirements as well as complying with Australian Standards.  So before purchasing new or secondhand racking here are a few things you should consider. 

• What will the pallet racking be used for?
• How much weight do you need each level need to hold?
• Is your factory or warehouse planned to maximise the available storage space, efficiency and safety?
• Are there any restrictions you have for the racking system, i.e. building height, forklifts. etc. ?

What will the pallet racking be used for?

If your SKUs have a high turnover rate there is a greater risk of damage to not only your products but, most importantly your pallet racking, due to the increased rate of activity. Opting for heavy duty racking and installing rack protection such as column guards and end protectors can make the system more durable and counterbalance the increased use of the racking. 

How much weight do you need each level to hold?

The weight you require each level to hold can impact how to best configure your pallet racking system. The weight that can be held by each level of racking must be clearly displayed at all time to adhere to the Australian Standards. A Safe Work Loading (SWL) sign will display the safe maximum weight each level can carry and each bay as a whole. Anything over these maximum weights becomes unsafe. 

If the maximum weight that the pallet racking can hold is simply not enough for your requirements, then you need to consider other pallet racking options and configurations like a heavier duty rack or a different configuration. 

Is your factory or warehouse planned to maximise the available storage space, efficiency and safety?

How your factory (or warehouse) is planned out will directly impact how many pallets you can store, how efficiently you can store and retrieve pallets as well as how safe the factory is to run. The racking system needs to not only fit in the building, but also allow your staff to safely and efficiently continue and maintain the warehouse operations. 

If you're unsure of the layout or floorplan of your warehouse, Erect-A-Rack can assist. Offering warehouse layout design services to our clients, we can ensure that your new or existing premises will cater to your needs whilst maximising available storage space, efficiency and safety.

Are there any restrictions you have for the racking, i.e. building height, forklifts, etc. ?

While you might have pallet racking installed unless it's the right one for you there's a good chance that you are currently operating inefficiently.  You need the right pallet racking to suit your needs including any restrictions that you may have. 

Do you have enough pallet positions?  You may have a factory or warehouse filled with pallet racking from one end to the other, but at the same time not have enough pallet positions to hold as many SKUs as you need to. This could be because of the configuration (single bay/run of bays) or because of the type (selective, drive-in, double deep etc.). Or maybe you have enough pallet positions and just can't reach them with your current equipment, you may need to invest in a new forklift that can reach all the pallet positions or rethink the racking system.

Don't settle for  a pallet racking system that isn't going to be right for your factory or warehouse.  

The friendly staff at Erect-A-Rack can help you choose the best pallet racking to suit your needs! For a FREE quotation and to discuss your pallet racking needs call us on (03) 9796 5077.