Pallet racks are aids in material handling depository and are designed to store elements on pallets. The materials are stored in multiple levels and in horizontal rows. Because of pallet racking, there is increase in depository density with costs incrementing with storage density. Denser palletized materials are the most expensive. The least dense of the pallet racks, the selective rack, costs from $50 to $70 per pallet while the gravity flow pallet rack can cost between $250 and $400 per pallet position. Forklift trucks are typically an important part of a pallet rack system. The truck is used to load the pallets on the storage racks. Pallet racks are permanent fixtures in distribution and storage facilities, retail centers, manufacturing facilities, and modern warehouses.
The design of a pallet rack system is a difficult process. Physical and needs limitations of the business must be figured out before buying a pallet rack system. The first step is to find out the dimension of the pallet rack beam. The type of forklift truck the company will be utilizing will determine the dimension of the pallet rack beam. For counter balanced pallet forklift truck, length of the beam is either the width of load or pallet, whichever is greater, and the number of upright frames. The entity must allow 3 inches between the loads and the upright frame, and allow 4 inches between loads.
For straddle or outrigger pallet truck, the length of beam is the maximum width of load or outriggers, whichever is greater, and the number of upright frames. Just like the counter balanced pallet truck, the entity must provide 3 inches between the loads and upright frame, and 4 inches between loads.
Next, the pallet rack beam capacity must be determined. To come up with the required capacity of the beam pair, the load weight must be multiplied by the number of pallets. In case of single level pallet racks, the beam capacity must be reduced by 15% for the reduced fixity at end. The heavier beams must be used with 4 hook end connectors.
The pallet stringer dimension must be 6” more than the frame depth. The spacer length is twice the amount of load overhang or pallet. A 6” clearance must be maintained for row spacer length. From the floor level, the load and height of pallet must be added to the height of the beam. The clearance from the bottom of the beam and the top load is then added. The thickness of the beam is also added. The sum is then multiplied by the number of shelve levels in order to come up with the frame height.
The local fire code limits the distance between the ceiling obstructions and the top load so the entity must check with the local fire department. In general, a minimum of 6” is required as distance. To determine frame capacity, the total loads is added. The maximum vertical shelf spacing is also determined and the number of bays per row and levels per bay comprise the frame capacity. Once everything is determined, the entity can now contact some pallet racks distributors. Sometimes, representatives of such distributors can help in determining the type of pallet racks system the entity needs.
Global Industrial, Steel King, and Unarco rack are just some of the suppliers of pallet racks systems. Their contacts details are found in each of their websites.