The four main components of pallet racks are upright frames, beams, decking and baseplates. They work together to transfer load weight from loaded pallets to the ground.
Uprights, also known as columns, are the vertical members that form left and right sides of a rack assembly. They’re under compression and tension forces as they direct loaded weight transferred by beam and deck components to the floor.
Upright Frames
Upright frames are the vertical members of a pallet rack system that transfer weight from the beams and deck components to the floor retail rack dividers. They are available in different heights and depths to accommodate pallets of varying sizes.
To determine the upright frame size you need, first measure your floor space. Next, hook the end of your tape measure around the outside of your rear frame column to get an outside-to-outside measurement.
The width of the upright frame should be large enough for stand-up narrow aisle forklifts to drive in and out of a bay safely and easily. A minimum travel aisle width of 10 foot 6 inches is recommended.
Cross Beams
Cross beams are horizontal members that attach to the frames of a pallet rack. They take both compression and tension forces as they transfer weight from loaded pallets to the uprights.
A typical pallet rack system consists of two uprights and at least 4 beam levels. Each level of beams is separated by a series of punch holes, which allow the rack to adjust shelf height.
Beams are a key element in pallet racking, and come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. They also vary in how they are connected to the uprights.
Beams are attached to the frame by rivets on their end connectors that slide into punch holes on the upright columns. The punch holes are typically placed every two inches up and down the upright column.
Wire Decking
Wire decking is a durable, long-lasting option for pallet racks. It is made of heavy-gauge wire that is welded into wide grid deck panels and supported by channel supports.
It’s an excellent alternative to corrugated plastic and flat metal panels. It allows light to pass through and evenly disperse from ceiling to floor, increasing visibility for warehouse employees and improving stocking and picking efficiencies.
The wire mesh grid also improves air circulation for temperature and moisture-sensitive products, preventing dust buildup. It also helps improve fire safety by allowing sprinkler water to penetrate deeper into the racking system, resulting in improved overhead sprinkler effectiveness.
There are three main types of wire decking for pallet racks: standard step, inverted flange and inside waterfall. The standard step works with beams that have a 1-5/8″ wide step, while the inverted flange and inside waterfall work best with structural and box beams.
Pallet Support Bars
Pallet racks are storage systems containing stacked boxes of goods that are accessed by a mechanized lift and retrieval device. They are commonly used in warehouses to store products in a way that maximizes storage space.
The four main components of a pallet rack system are upright frames, cross beams, wire decking, and shims. Each of these components is designed to take a certain weight load in loaded pallets and spread it throughout the entire rack.
Beams, also known as cross-members, connect the upright frames to create a shelf level to store loaded pallets on. They come in numerous lengths and are manufactured from either structural or roll-formed steel.
Wire decking, also known as shelving, traverses the beams to pick up concentrated or point loads from support joists in the pallets and evenly distribute them to the beams. They are often welded or perforated for increased load support capacity and can be solid or wire mesh decks.
Shims
Pallet racks are a popular storage solution for storing goods vertically. They save floor space for foot and forklift traffic and are available in a variety of sizes to fit the needs of any business.
When assembling the frame of your pallet rack system, it’s important to measure and correctly configure all standard components. This will ensure your racking system has the structural capacity, functionality and safety it needs.
The height and length of each beam is a consideration when choosing the right rack for your warehouse. This is based on the size of your pallets and how many you plan to store side-by-side.
Most beams are manufactured from either structural or roll-formed steel and come in a number of different lengths, depending on their capacity rating. These lengths are typically 4-feet, 8-feet, 9-feet and 10-feet.
