Durable Bolted Type Pallet Rack

Durable bolted type pallet rack is a common pallet racking system in use today.

Selective rack is mostly manufactured in a "teardrop" style (so named as the holes on the column of the upright are shaped like teardrops). Pallets rest on the beams that are held in place by safety pins. Because the clips on teardrop upright column can be quickly removed, the shelves can be easily adjusted to different heights to suit various load sizes. This is very convenient for a warehouse that needs to store a large variety of product dimensions.

Selective pallet rack systems provide easy accessibility to all products at all times – it is important if the inventory is rapidly depleted and restocked (also called quick turnover). Selective pallet rack systems are mostly used in distribution application, as well as in retail store inventory rooms, cold storage applications, wholesale stores, etc.

Common components of selective rack include the following:

1.Load beams (also called step beams).

·Most step beams are roll formed members with a 1⅝” step along the top inside edge. This step is used to hold any load support components such as pallet supports or wire mesh decking.

2. Upright frames (also called upright posts or uprights) different in size and design depending on load capacity and styles. The mostly used upright column is produced by roll forming flat coil stock steel into a modified "C" shape with some returns. This style is often referred to as open-back roll-formed columns. Holes or slots are punched during manufacturing up and down the column at standard intervals so that the load beams can be placed into the upright columns. Upright frames can also be constructed utilizing structural “C” shapes for columns. Structural uprights have an increased weight capacity over roll formed uprights.

3.  Pallet supports are roll formed channels that are placed front to back between the load beams to support pallets.

4.Wire mesh decking is commonly used as a safety measure on selective pallet rack to prevent pallets or the goods stored on them from falling through the rack structure. Wire mesh decks are in various thicknesses and dimensions. Wire mesh construction also allows for easy identification of shelf contents and prevents dirt and other debris from accumulating on the shelves because of the holes in the mesh. Most wire mesh decking has supports, also known as struts, to support the load. With this waterfall decking, the wire mesh extends across the top and down the front of the beam to provide more support, and is more desirable in the marketplace. Reverse waterfall decking can provide containment of a loose product to prevent the product from falling behind the rack system. Lay-in decking rests inside the step of the beam, and wire mesh does not waterfall over the beam. Some styles of decking are manufactured with solid metal instead of wire mesh. Even though the solid decking provides a greater distributed weight capacity, it is discouraged by fire inspectors because sprinkler systems cannot spray through the shelves to levels below.

5.Footplates, also known as footpads or baseplates, are at the base of columns and serve as anchors to give the rack more stability: anchor bolts are inserted through the baseplate’s holes to attach the column to the concrete floor. Footplates are made of thicker steel and in some geographic locations, they must be of a certain size and seismic rating. Footpads increase the pallet rack’s overall stability and weight-bearing capacity.

6.Shims are used when the uprights are resting on uneven floors; the shims, equal in size to the base of the uprights, are installed beneath the uprights to level the rack.

7.Row spacers are sometimes used if uprights are arranged in double deep; the spacers are mounted between adjacent columns to ensure that the rows are kept straight and to give the pallet racks even more strength and steadiness.

8.Column protectors, also known as upright protectors, are protective shields that can be installed around the base of an upright to minimize damage where forklifts might hit the upright. Damage to the base of a column can weaken the entire frame and could cause it to collapse. Column protectors are made of various materials such as polyethylene, ductile iron casting, and other durable materials.

9. Guard rails are installed to increase protection for upright columns and for human safety when platforms or steps are attached to pallet racks.