What Is a Pallet Rack?

A pallet rack is a modular storage system designed to hold heavy materials and products in warehouses, holding bays, and shipping and receiving areas. This type of racking allows for more efficient use of space and can be customized to fit different load types. These systems are often used in conjunction with other warehouse equipment, including conveyors, work stations, and forklifts. Pallet racking is available in a number of configurations and includes vertical upright frames, horizontal cross beams, and varying types of shelving. There are also add-on accessories, like wire decking and row spacers, that offer additional support and structural integrity.

The main components of a pallet rack are horizontal beams and vertical upright frames. These are joined by connectors or endplates welded to the frame’s ends. Depending on the solution selected (shelving, direct-access racking, high-density systems), additional profiles and specific accessories may be integrated. These can include crossbars, shelves (wire mesh, metal, or wooden), and supports for cylinders and coils.

These accessories are designed to increase safety and the overall load capacity of the pallet racking system. They include anchor bolts that attach the upright frames to the warehouse floor, wire decking to prevent items from falling through the beam structure, and row spacers that create a flue space between back-to-back rows of shelving. Straddle and post protectors help shield the upright from damage caused by a forklift entering the aisle and they can be attached to either the top or bottom of the column.

Identifying pallet racking is easy if you know how to look for the telltale signs. For example, every manufacturer offers a slightly different style of pallet racks and each has its own unique punch hole pattern on the frame’s base plate. These differences are what distinguish one style of racking from another.

There are two primary types of pallet racking: drive-in and drive-through. The difference is whether the racking system has a single entry point into each lane of stacked rows, or if each lane has an entrance at both ends. Drive-in racking is usually configured to utilize a LIFO (last in, first out) storage method. Drive-thru racking, on the other hand, is configured to accommodate multiple entries and exits.

Aside from these configurations, all pallet racking is designed to be easily reconfigured based on inventory needs. When changing the layout of your racking, be sure to have a licensed structural engineer review your plans to ensure that there are no unsupported spans. This is especially important if you’re moving or removing beams, as this can result in a change in the load capacity of your system.

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