The Optimal Pallet Rack System Layout Requires Careful Consideration (Charlie O'Brien)

Designing an optimal floor plan for a facility that utilizes a pallet rack system can be an arduous task, as there are many factors that come into play. The most important things that need to be taken into account are the types of goods that you will be storing, the type of equipment that you will use within the facility to load and retrieve those goods, and how much space that equipment needs to safely maneuver while picking loads. Considering all of these vital facets will enable you to design a functional layout for your facility that will lead to maintaining an efficient operation, the top priority of all business.

Seek Professional Assistance

While going through the task of designing a floor plan can be done alone - or with the help of those in your company - it is always best in this situation to enlist the services of a qualified professional. Having an individual with extensive knowledge of pallet racking systems, material handling equipment, and professional warehouse space planning will undoubtedly lead you on a more direct path to constructing a work area that promotes productivity. This way you will ensure that your rows of racking are properly spaced, that you have created enough storage bays to properly meet your needs, and that you have the amount of access to your loads that you require for loading and retrieving goods.

Consider Your Goods

The types of goods you are storing will unquestionably play a role in the type of pallet racking system that would work best in your facility. The size, shape, and weight of the products all must be considered, because this will determine how large your bays need to be and how much weight the overall racking systems needs to be able to support.

Pallet rack systems vary in regards to weight guidelines, though each racking manufacturer clearly identifies the specifications in regards to each specific system. These guidelines should always be strictly adhered to, as overloading any portion of the system could severely compromise the structural integrity of the system and cause it to collapse. That's why it is important to identify what your heaviest load will be, so you can be certain that the racking system you intend to install will sufficiently and safely be able to support your goods.

Consider Your Equipment

When designing a pallet rack system layout, making certain the equipment you plan to use - forklifts, pallet jacks, and other retrieval equipment, as well as specific pallets - is compatible with the system is crucial. In regards to your material handling equipment, such as forklifts and pallet jacks, you will need to make certain it has the capability to access the loads, in terms of reaching high enough and deep enough into the system. Meanwhile, using pallets that meet design specifications is essential, as smaller pallet models can't be securely stored and larger pallet models could overlap and push other pallets off support beams.

Consider the Area for Equipment to Operate

While most industrial lift trucks can operate in tight spaces, it is important to leave ample room so that you can avoid costly damage. A forklift coming into contact with a pallet racking system is an all-too-common occurrence in warehouses throughout the U.S., and the destruction caused by collisions can be costly. Leaving plenty of space between aisles and at the end of rows could help combat these problems from occurring, making it important to address the situation in the design of your facility's floor plan.

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