Posted by Stephanie on December 16, 2016
If you’re in the market for warehouse pallet racking systems for the first time, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that businesses make in their warehouses. With over 25 years experience in the material handling industry, we’ve learned the do’s and don’ts of pallet racking. The following are problems we often encounter and work to avoid for our customers to minimize the potential for costly damages and/or hazards in their warehouse.
Guidelines for Shopping Warehouse Pallet Racking Systems
Make Sure to Buy the Right Size
The size of your warehouse pallet racking can become a big problem if your forklift(s) cannot access the upper levels of your racking. If you’re installing a tall racking system, make sure you have a forklift that will reach every pallet to avoid complications.
Buy More than Enough Racking
Buying just enough pallet racking to suit your current needs will work for the time being. However if your business projects any future growth, it’s important to take this into consideration when picking your pallet racks so that your business is better prepared. If you have the room for it in your facility, install a racking system that has a few extra bays to allow for more pallet storage if needed. Another factor to keep in mind is the holiday season. If you know that your warehouse will need to be fully stocked in preparation for the holidays, having that extra row of racking could really benefit you.
Don’t Ignore Forklift Damage
A small dent or bend from a forklift may seem minor. However if the same area is hit by a forklift again, that can lead to worse and more costly damage. The likelihood of your racking system collapsing increases greatly when you choose to ignore any existing damages.
Don’t Exceed Capacities
It’s a simple rule to follow, but you’d be surprised how many warehouses bend the rules and exceed their storage systems’ capacities. Exceeding recommended capacity may weaken the pallet racking system over time and cause it to collapse, especially in the case of an earthquake. This oversight and negligence can cause very expensive damages and potential danger to your employees. If the products you’re storing vary greatly in weight, it’s best to store the heaviest pallets on the bottom levels and floor, and the lighter pallets on upper levels.
Don’t Assume Used is As Good As New
Used warehouse pallet racking systems don’t offer the same quality and advantages you can expect with a new racking system. If you’re looking for durable, long-term pallet racking, then used is not the way to go. Although used racking is significantly cheaper, it is often in poor condition through years of use. We recommend that you only buy used racking if you’re certain that it’s in great condition. Any type of damage on used pallet racking could cause costly damages to your material if it can’t withstand the weight you plan on storing.
Don’t Overlook the Height to Depth Ratio
The Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) defines a standard height to depth ratio limit for pallet racking. The height to depth ratio should never exceed 6:1. This means that your racking system’s height should never exceed 6 times its depth. Exceeding this ratio makes your pallet racking system less stable and more susceptible to collapse.
Need Pallet Racking?
Our team of experienced racking and design experts will design a strong and secure warehouse pallet racking system for you. Our permits department is dedicated to making sure your racking system is installed in compliance with city codes and regulations! Contact us with any pallet racking questions!
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