Racking is a cost-effective, secure, and reliable way to store products within your warehouse. It’s also crucial to warehouse management, ensuring your inventory remains organised and within easy reach.
High-quality warehouse racking allows for optimal space utilisation, proper ventilation, and forklift access. It also protects products from damage and helps you keep track of inventory levels.
To enjoy the full benefits of warehouse racking, you must install it correctly. This guide will walk you through the installation process while highlighting key considerations and concerns.
Installing warehouse racking: initial considerations
Before you choose a racking solution and begin the installation, it’s important to run through some initial considerations.
Firstly, define why you’re investing in a new warehouse racking system. Are you moving to new premises, upgrading an existing system, or planning your first warehouse layout? These questions can help you select a heavy duty pallet racking system that suits your business’s needs.
Secondly, mark out and measure the space you plan to install your racking. You’ll need to consider the size of your products and pallets and measure distances from each wall.
Choosing the right racking system for your needs
Now, it’s time to select an appropriate racking system. There are a few options, including selective racking, drive-in racking, and vertical racking.
Vertical racking is a smart option for larger, longer products like electrical equipment. Drive-in racking offers dense storage while giving forklifts ease of access. Selective racking is a low-cost solution that is a single pallet deep, allowing operators to access them without needing to rotate stock.
We recommend investing in selective racking if you want a customizable, affordable, and flexible warehouse storage solution.
Basic installation steps
Once you’ve selected the type of racking you plan to install, it’s time to start the installation. Here’s a brief rundown of the steps to follow.
- Build the frame. You’ll need to lay down each post and position the footplates at each base, attaching them using the supplied fasteners.
- Set the bracing diagonals and horizontals in the appropriate style based on your requirements. ‘K’ is the standard bracing pattern, but your choice will depend on your selected frame height.
- Erect the bay. Begin by standing the frame upright, ensuring its first diagonal node point (impact point) faces the aisle.
- Clip in the first beam, starting at the rear and repeating for the front beam.
- Stand the next frame upright and repeat the third step, attaching it to the cross beams’ opposite end.
- Clip the next beam at the rear only, repeating until you’ve set all rear beam levels in position.
- Once you’ve positioned all the rear beam levels, clip in the front beams, ensuring they’re the same height as the rear beams. Use safety clips on each end.
- Ensure the bay is levelled and square, and secure the rack to the floor with compliant floor anchors.
- Finally, position the load sign at the end of each rack, 2,000mm from the floor.
Stay sturdy, safe, and secure
With warehouse racking, there’s no need to worry about losing track of inventory or running out of space. As long as you choose a sturdy, safe, and secure storage option—and install it correctly—you’ll enjoy the huge range of benefits pallet racking provides.
