Pallet Racking
Pallet Racking
The Design Process
At the heart of every well-run warehouse is a pallet racking system that has been well thought out with the clients’ operational needs, now and in the future, at the forefront of each design decision.
The design and layout of a storage system is fundamental to maximising storage whilst providing a safe working environment.
When designing a pallet racking layout, some design considerations include:
- The space available
- The size and quantity of the pallets or bulky items to be stored
- Stock control
- Fork-Lift truck capabilities and parameters
- Safety of staff
- Pick rate
- Fast and slow moving items
In our experience, no two warehouses are ever the same. Understanding our client’s operational needs is the first step in the design process, and we offer a free site visit in the first instance to get to know you, your business and your requirements.
The Specification
Once we understand more about your business, how it operates and the parameters we have to work with, H-Racks will provide an initial pallet racking design for discussion. We will consider all the criteria and design considerations and provide CAD drawings to demonstrate the ideas and recommendations we have for the client.
Pallet Racking Systems – The Options
H-Racks can provide several different types of pallet racking systems and in some instances the best solution often involves more than one:
- Wide Aisle Pallet Racking
The most common layout and found in most warehouses. Single and Double Entry runs of racking are installed with sufficient aisle space between them for the materials handling equipment/fork-lift truck being used.
- Narrow Aisle or Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) Pallet Racking:
Very similar to Wide Aisle Pallet Racking but specialised forklift trucks are used to reduce the required aisle width, saving space. Either a VNA forklift or articulated truck (Bendi/Flexi) is most utilised with this type of racking.
- Drive-In Pallet Racking
A Drive-In racking system provides a high-density storage solution with the fork-lift entering the block to deposit and retrieve pallets. There are some restrictions with pallet access, but for some warehouses the increase in storage space outweighs the time it takes to pick/load.
- Push Back Pallet Racking
A Push-Back racking system is another high-density storage solution. The pallets are loaded onto roller beds and are then pushed back by the fork-lift in a ‘pallet train’ to utilise the full depth of the rack.
When a pallet is retrieved, the remaining pallets in the train commence a controlled roll forward, which ensures there is always a pallet at the pick face waiting to be picked.
Pallet Racking Systems – Repairs and Maintenance
Given the nature of warehouse operations, occasional repairs are somewhat inevitable. A SEMA racking inspection can also unearth issues that you may not realise you have.
H-Racks carry out repairs to many of the pallet racking systems currently available, and if you believe you need some work carried out, please get in touch and we will prioritise a visit to assess your needs and make short-term recommendations where necessary.
