How Do I Choose a Warehouse Rack?

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have a lot of stuff. And, if you’re like most people, you don’t have enough storage space to put all of your stuff. That’s where warehouse racks come in handy. If you’re looking for things to outfit your entire garage, GarageSmart® got you covered. We can turn your cluttered garage into a clean, crisp, highly functional area for your home.

But, with so many different types and sizes of warehouse racks available on the market, how do you know which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll give you tips on how to choose the right warehouse rack for your needs. Stay tuned!

Exactly what is a Racking System for a Warehouse?

A warehouse racking system stores products that allow for the horizontal racking of many floors. With the help of these technologies, you may better organise your warehouse’s cargo and make better use of the available space.

Considerations for Choosing the Best Racking System

Different storage facilities have various needs. The ideal racking system will maximise your storage space while minimising disruptions to your workflow, particularly during the choosing process.

It is important to think about the following while deciding on a warehouse racking system:

The cost per pallet is estimated in the budget. This should be considered while ensuring that the racking system meets all your requirements.
In a warehouse, floor utilisation refers to how well the racking system can use the available space on the floor.
Space Utilisation in Storage Calculates how much of your racking system’s storage capacity you use. Your shipment’s quantity, dimensions, and weight will determine how much money you’ll need.
Accessibility for Forklifts: the ability to move heavy materials with specialised equipment. This accounts for the space needed by forklifts to move through the warehouse.
Racking systems that are versatile can store a greater variety of items.
Warehouse picking priorities are determined by inventory management.

Picking the Right Racking for Your Warehouse

Your warehouse’s or distribution centre’s success hinges on the quality of its racking system. Therefore, it is important to consider physical limits and specific operating requirements before deciding on a rack system, even if you intend to make modifications and reclaim space in an existing facility.

Think About the Amount of Data That Can Be Stored

Opportunities for deep-lane storage can be found by assessing inventory volumes by SKU. Double-deep, try driving, drive-thru, pallets flow, and stretch racks are examples of deep-lane storage that can greatly improve a warehouse’s cube usage.

Be Aware of Your Preferences

A selectivity of 100% eliminates a large portion of potential options. Deep-lane storage is not a good option if you need constant access to a certain set of pallets. Pallets may need to be “buried” if storage space is extremely limited. It may be reasonable to expend the extra effort needed to gain access to these loads if they are reserved for the least popular SKUs.

Which Method of Inventory Management Do You Use, FIFO or LIFO?

Before deciding on a deep-lane storage option, know your needs. Pallet flow racks are an excellent choice if strict FIFO (First in, First Out) ordering is a must. In a FIFO setting, different deep-lane storage options may be used. However, weigh your options carefully because buried loads could considerably boost the labour expenses associated with material handling.

Learn to Recognise Your Picking Tendencies

The format of your orders, please. What do you often pick up when you go to work? Is the goal of your bulk-picking operation to restock a forwards pick zone? How you answer these questions can significantly impact the type of rack you buy and how you set it up.

It’s Important to Think About Forklift Access

Choosing the right type of fork truck is essential, especially when dealing with unique storage solutions like try driving, drive-thru, double or racks.

Also, add between six and twelve inches to the “right angle” stacking aisle requirement given by the vehicle manufacturer when using specific rack systems. Increased productivity and a safer working environment will result from this measure’s success in reducing damage to products and racks.

Ensure there is no Decking on the Racks

Differences in colour schemes are commonplace. Therefore, it is important to check the placement and condition of the bottom boards and fork pockets to ensure the driver’s and the load’s safety. In addition, if you’re having issues with a wide variety of pallets, you may need to invest in more rack components (pallet supports, decking).

Locate Your Earthquake Zone

Before building and installing any rack structure, ensure you comply with all applicable federal, state, and municipal codes for your site and the seismic zone.

Stricter engineering standards will apply to racks and other artificial structures in earthquake-prone areas.

Take Some Time to Plan Out How You’ll Illuminate Your Warehouse

Warehouse lighting should consider the need for both increased accuracy and less rack damage, as well as the desire to provide a more pleasant working environment for employees.

Both the Type and Price of the Rack You Choose Will Be Affected by the Conditions in Your Warehouse

Think about things like the temperature and humidity of the warehouse, the necessity of regular product washings, and compliance with FDA rules and regulations.

Capacity

Avoid rough estimates and know exactly how much your largest pallet loads weigh. Then, put them on a scale! Build your system as if the heaviest pallet could be placed in your storage spaces (yes, there are exceptions). Your storage system will be more adaptable and secure as a result. With GarageSmart® Storage Solutions, you can have the perfect garage for your needs without all the hassle.

A Comparison of the Impact Resistance of Two Common Racking Systems

Structural racking is superior to roll-formed racking in terms of withstanding impacts because of its greater stiffness and strength. This is crucial because forklift drivers sometimes underestimate the distance between their vehicles and racking systems, increasing the likelihood of collisions.

There must be safeguards for both racking systems to protect against forklifts colliding with the racking. Warehouse racking can be protected from damage caused by forklifts by installing corner guards, warning signs, and floor markings in high-traffic areas.

Simple Construction

Compared to structural warehouse racking systems, roll-formed racking is the clear winner regarding assembly simplicity. In addition, teardrop connections on roll-formed racks eliminate additional hardware; you only need a mallet to firmly whack the pieces into position or a hammer on safety clips.

Structural racking systems are more challenging and time-consuming because of their bolt connections and larger weight. Yet the variation in initial configuration is so slight as to be of only marginal importance. However, the racking system’s adaptability is most directly affected by how quickly it can be put together.

Say, for instance, you need to reorganise the racking in your warehouse. When using a roll-formed racking system, it’s a breeze to disassemble the racks, rearrange the shelves, or switch out the shelves for something else entirely. In contrast, altering beam levels on organised racks is a more laborious and time-consuming procedure.

Budgeting for a Warehouse Racking System

Roll-formed racking systems are more affordable than their structural counterparts to buy and transport. This is because roll-formed racks are often built of lighter steel than their structural equivalents, resulting in a lower overall rack weight.

In addition, roll-formed racking typically has cheaper labour costs due to its ease of assembly. Garage organisation is a huge hassle – but it doesn’t have to be! Our GarageSmart® Shelving, Baskets and Hooks make garage organisation simple and easy.

As a result, the ROI for roll-formed racking systems is typically realised sooner than that of structural racks. However, structural racks may offer a higher ROI because of their sturdy build and lengthy service life.

Conclusion

With so many different types and sizes of warehouse racks available on the market, how do you know which is right for you? The ideal racking system will maximise your storage space while minimising disruptions to your workflow. Considering physical limits and specific operating requirements is important before deciding on a rack system. Racking systems that are versatile can store a greater variety of items. Deep-lane storage is not a good option if you need constant access to a certain set of pallets.

Pallets may need to be “buried” if storage space is extremely limited. Pallet flow racks are an excellent choice if strict FIFO (First in, First Out) ordering is a must. Add between six and twelve inches to the “right angle” stacking aisle requirement when using specific rack systems. The type and price of the rack you choose will be affected by the conditions in your warehouse. Structural racking is superior to roll-formed racking in terms of withstanding impacts.

There must be safeguards for both racking systems to protect against forklifts colliding with the racking. Roll-formed racking systems are more affordable than their structural counterparts to buy and transport. Roll-formed racks are often built of lighter steel, resulting in a lower overall rack weight. They also typically have cheaper labour costs due to its ease of assembly. However, structural racks may offer a higher ROI because of their sturdy build and lengthy service life.

Content Summary

Products that can be stored on multiple horizontal levels are kept in a warehouse racking system.
Using these innovations, you might optimise your warehouse’s storage efficiency by better organising the goods stored there.
Storage facilities have varying requirements.
The best racking system will allow you to make the most of your storage area while causing you the least amount of trouble, especially during the selection phase.
When selecting a racking system for a warehouse, it is vital to keep in mind the following:
The budget includes projected costs per pallet.
This is something to think about while checking that the racking system ticks all the boxes.
The term “floor utilisation” is used to describe the efficiency with which a warehouse’s racking system makes use of the floor itself.
Estimate the percentage of available space in your racks that is currently being utilised.
How much you need to pay depends depend on the size, weight, and number of items in your shipment.
Forklift access refers to the availability of space large enough to accommodate the machinery required to transport big loads.
Forklifts require this much room for manoeuvrability, so plan accordingly.
More objects can be kept in storage using racks that are flexible in their design.
Inventory management establishes the order of picking in the warehouse.
The efficiency of your distribution centre or warehouse depends on the racking system you instal.
Because of this, even if you want to make alterations and reclaim space in an existing facility, it is vital to evaluate physical restrictions and specific operating requirements before settling on a rack system.
Selectivity of 100% rules out virtually all other choices.
If you need quick and easy access to a certain group of pallets, deep-lane storage is not the best choice.
If you have a shortage of warehouse space, you may have to “bury” your pallets.
If certain loads are reserved for less popular SKUs, it may be worthwhile to put in the extra work to acquire access to them.
Is it First-In, First-Out (FIFO) or Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) that you use for stock
Understand your requirements before settling on a deep-lane storage solution.
Pallet flow racks are a great option when FIFO (First in, First Out) inventory control is required.
Several forms of deep-lane storage can be used in a FIFO environment.
Carefully analyse your options, though, because material handling labour costs could skyrocket if loads need to be dug up.
Your order forms, if you please.
Just before you head into the office, what do you typically grab?
Is replenishing a forwards pick zone the intended outcome of your bulk-picking initiative?
The answers to these questions will have major repercussions on the rack you end up purchasing and how you decide to put it up.
When working with unconventional storage options like try driving, drive-thru, double, or racks, it’s very important to use the appropriate fork truck.
When employing some rack systems, the “right angle” stacking aisle requirement provided by the vehicle manufacturer should be increased by anywhere from six to twelve inches.
If this approach is effective in reducing damage to products and racks, then production will rise and workplace safety will improve.
It’s not uncommon to see a wide variety of colour palettes.
Consequently, the safety of the driver and the load depends on verifying the location and condition of the bottom boards and fork pockets.
More rack components may be required if problems with a large range of pallets persist (pallet supports, decking).
Make sure that your rack construction complies with all local, state, and federal building rules as well as any seismic zone requirements before installation.
The warehouse conditions will determine the rack type you need and the associated cost.
Consider the warehouse’s temperature and humidity, the frequency with which products must be washed, and the Food and Drug Administration’s laws requirements.
Get accurate weights for your heaviest pallet loads instead of making educated guesses.
Place them on a scale, then!
Plan for the heaviest pallet to be stored at your facility (yes, there are exceptions).
This will make your storage system more flexible and safe.
With its better stiffness and strength, structural racking outperforms roll-formed racking in terms of sustaining impacts.
Due to the high probability of accidents caused by forklift operators’ failure to accurately gauge the distance between their trucks and racking systems, this is vital information to have.
Both kinds of racks need protection from forklifts, which can cause serious damage if they collide.
Corner guards, warning signs, and floor markings placed in high-traffic areas of a warehouse help prevent racking from being damaged by forklifts.
When comparing the ease of installation of structural and roll-formed racking, the former is the clear winner.
Furthermore, roll-formed racks’ teardrop connections obviate the need for additional hardware; all that’s required to assemble the rack is a mallet to firmly bash the components into place, or a hammer to pound on safety clips.
More effort and time is required for structural racking systems due to their bolt connections and heavier loads.
Still, the beginning state can vary to a negligible degree and so has little bearing on the outcome.
The speed with which a racking system may be assembled has the greatest impact on its flexibility.
Take, for example, the case where you find it necessary to rearrange your warehouse’s racking.
The shelves in a roll-formed racking system are easily removable, so you can rearrange the racks or replace them with something else if necessary.
In contrast, it takes more time and effort to adjust beam levels on neatly stacked racks.
The purchase and transportation costs of roll-formed racking systems are lower than those of their structural counterparts.
This is because the steel used in the construction of roll-formed racks is typically lighter than that used in their structural counterparts, resulting in a lighter rack.
Because it is so simple to put together, roll-formed racking also has lower labour expenses.
Therefore, roll-formed racking systems often have a quicker return on investment (ROI) than structural racks.
However, structural racks may provide a better return on investment (ROI) due to their high quality and long lifespan.

FAQs About Warehouse Rack

What Is the Difference Between Racking and Shelving?

The central difference between shelving and racking is that shelving involves putting products into the system and retrieving them by hand. With racking, warehouse employees carry out storage and retrieval with equipment like forklifts.

How Do You Measure a Warehouse Rack?

Measure across the outside edge of the upright. This will give you the depth of the upright. Usually, the depth ranges from 3 to 4 feet, but, as with cross beams, custom pallet racks may be a different size. Measure the outside face of the vertical column and then measure the inside face of the column.

What Are Racks in Logistics?

A rack, also referred to as racking, is a structural design made of steel that consists of frames and connectors for storing goods in warehouses or storage facilities.

What Is Push Back Racking?

Pushback racking (also referred to as pushback racking) is a pallet storage method that allows pallets to be stored from 2 to 6 deep on either side of an aisle, giving you higher storage density than other forms of racking.

What Is Standard Wide Aisle Racking?

Wide aisle racking, also known as adjustable pallet racking (APR) is a highly versatile storage option. You can easily adapt it to suit your needs, even if you’re storing a broad array of items. It gives you direct access to individual pallets without the requirement for specialist handling equipment.