QMH Warehouse Solutions & Services
Posted by Tony Hysell on February 11, 2022
Last updated: July 2026. Reviewed by the Quality Material Handling Inc. warehouse design team.
Quick answer
Pallet rack upright styles are generally identified by their connector hole pattern and beam-locking method, including teardrop (Interlake old and new style), Sammons, structural, Uncarco T-Bolt, and Ridge-U-Rack. Most facilities use teardrop-style uprights because they’re widely available and compatible with beams from multiple manufacturers, while structural uprights are chosen for heavier loads that need thicker steel construction. Matching upright style to your beam type and load requirements, and protecting uprights with column guards, are the two biggest factors in keeping a racking system safe long-term.
Different Styles of Pallet Rack Uprights
Interlake Old Style: Also known as teardrop, named for the shape of the holes, this style of upright is one of the more popular because it offers quick and easy assembly. Unlike other styles that need fasteners or clips to assemble, the teardrop can be slid right into place. The teardrop shape keeps the upright in a locked and sturdy position to maintain strong support between the upright and beams with 2 inches between the holes.
Interlake New Style: This updated style of teardrop uprights has angular holes, and is usually compatible with old style beams as well.
Sammons: This style is very similar to the classic teardrop style upright, the main difference being that there are 4 inches between the upright holes rather than 2.
Structural: Structural uprights are designed with thicker steel to maximize support for heavy loads, constructed with bolts that secure the beam and upright together.
Uncarco T-Bolt: With rectangular holes and straight edges, this style is simple to install, taking one turn of a bolt to lock the beams and uprights into place, creating a t-shape where the beam and the upright are bolted together.
Ridge-U-Rack: With this particular style, the beam is designed with pieces that fit into the upright holes in a way that’s similar to key holes.
Protect Your Uprights!
In order to protect your pallet rack uprights from forklift damage and provide optimal support and safety in a warehouse, it is highly recommended to get column guards as an accessory for your uprights. Column guards are constructed to protect uprights from getting bent and dented which could lead to weakening upright support and potential for a pallet rack to collapse over time as a result of reoccurring damage to the uprights. Column guards will keep your system safe and secure!
How to identify the upright style you already have
If you’re not sure which upright style is installed in your facility, check the shape of the connector holes and how the beams attach. Teardrop-shaped holes usually indicate an Interlake-style upright, rectangular holes with a bolted connection point to Uncarco T-Bolt, and key-hole-style openings point to Ridge-U-Rack. Measuring the spacing between holes (2 inches versus 4 inches) also helps distinguish classic teardrop from Sammons-style uprights. Confirming the exact style before ordering replacement beams or accessories prevents compatibility issues, since beams and uprights from different systems are often not interchangeable.
Inspecting uprights for damage and capacity loss
Uprights should be inspected regularly for bends, dents, or rust, since even minor damage from forklift impacts can significantly reduce a rack’s load capacity under RMI/ANSI MH16.1 guidelines. Any upright with visible bowing, cracked welds, or damage exceeding manufacturer-specified tolerances should be taken out of service and repaired or replaced before it’s reloaded. Column guards help prevent this damage in the first place, but they don’t eliminate the need for routine visual inspections as part of a broader rack safety program.
Our experience: With over 32 years of experience in material handling, QMH has helped warehouses identify upright styles, source compatible replacement parts, and set up column guard programs to reduce forklift damage. In our experience, most preventable rack failures trace back to unrepaired upright damage that went unnoticed for months.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pallet rack upright styles, identification, and inspection.
Teardrop-style uprights, including Interlake old and new style, are among the most common because they’re widely available, easy to assemble, and compatible with beams from multiple manufacturers.
Check the shape of the connector holes and how the beams attach. Teardrop holes indicate an Interlake-style upright, rectangular bolted holes suggest Uncarco T-Bolt, and key-hole-style openings point to Ridge-U-Rack.
Generally no. Beams and uprights from different manufacturers or upright styles are often not compatible, so it’s important to confirm the exact style before ordering replacement parts.
Column guards protect uprights from forklift impacts that can bend or dent the steel, which weakens the upright’s support and increases the risk of a rack collapse over time.
Uprights should be inspected regularly as part of a routine rack safety program, checking for bends, dents, rust, or cracked welds that could reduce load capacity.
Any upright with visible bowing, cracked welds, or damage beyond manufacturer-specified tolerances should be taken out of service and repaired or replaced before it’s reloaded.
