Modern warehousing and logistics increasingly rely on technology for efficiency and control. Beneath that lies even greater emphasis on proper pallet racking installation.
In fact, the greater the level of automation you aspire to as a company, the greater the emphasis needs to be on how your inventory and equipment is stored and how easily accessible it is. Particularly if like many other companies, you’re striving to work better, faster and more productively. Preferably in as small an area as possible! The drive to eliminate waste often focuses on making the best use of every square foot within premises.
As well as supporting efficiency and intuitive stock control, proper pallet racking protocols meet another important business need; agility. A speedy response to both opportunities and threats is needed to ensure survival in highly competitive sectors. This can require a rapid change of inventory systems, contents or even location. Unwieldy and outdated storage systems can seriously hamper this, no matter how responsive your other business functions are.
The Vital Need To Plan Racking Properly
To set out a new warehousing space or improve your existing inventory storage, the most important phase is undoubtedly planning. Modern pallet racking installation professionals use software as well as their own experience, to thoroughly survey available space. Using a detailed appraisal of your business needs, they can then create a pallet racking design geared to maximum efficiency.
This includes specifying systems that can withstand all weathers if you need to create outdoor pallet racking structures.
The racking design takes in to account requirements such as structural dimensions and access needs. This includes how easily plant, robotic pickers and packers and other equipment can integrate with your racking, and whether you need to store awkward shaped items.
Proper pallet racking design actually starts from the floor up! It’s surprising how many companies fail to verify their floor slab is suitable and has enough strength, before erecting their racking. The site survey needs to provide 100% confidence that the surface can hold its integrity and fixings when racking is pinned to it, then loaded up.
The Best Pallet Racking Layout
From this detailed investigation and planning, comes an agreed layout that offers the best solution. It would also take into account every nuance of the relevant legislation; especially the Construction Design and Management 2007 Regulations.
For the most efficient and effective system, each pallet racking installation plan should be company specific – any “off the shelf” solutions could fail to meet your business needs resulting in wasted space, slower processing and potentially higher overheads and operating costs further down the line.
The most widely used racking system is wide aisle pallet racking, which is an ideal solution for warehouse and industrial pallet storage as it offers fast and easy loading/unloading.
The aisles are usually 2.5 – 4 metres wide, enabling individual access to each pallet with no specialist handling equipment required.
For high density storage, narrow aisle racking is a popular option as it offers a highly efficient use of available floor space and maximises the height at which racking can be installed. In a narrow aisle racking system, specialist fork lift trucks are able to operate quickly and safely between each row of storage. Racking is easily accessible for efficient movement of stock, with the increase in storage density a result of the smaller spaces between each row of racking.
Another option offering increased storage density is double deep pallet racking. This variation is similar to standard wide aisle racking, however the number of access aisles is reduced, with additional racking installed in their place. This means that access to individual pallets is reduced, as direct access is only available to the pallets at each end of the system, however this set-up is ideal for achieving increased storage in a first in, last out (FILO) configuration where goods can move from one side of the system to the other. Double deep racking requires specialist fork lift trucks with extending forks.
Efficient Installation Of Pallet Racking
The type of racking used is very much dependent of the space available, the requirements of each business and the types of goods that will be stored, along with the availability of any specialist equipment that may be required.
Once this has been identified, all surveys carried out and a tailored system designed to meet your requirements, your chosen supplier should be ready and able to arrive on site and complete installation as swiftly as possible. This often needs to dovetail with existing business operations. Expert pallet racking companies minimise any disruption and get the job done at a time that best suits the client.
This time-lapse video shows the installation process of a pallet racking system from Avanta UK – an 18 hour build condensed into 3 minutes!
Drilling Down On Pallet Racking
Contemporary compliance demands make it imperative to use professional pallet racking design and installation services. Particularly if your company currently has any red flags in its inventory layout and systems. The same applies to occasions when you need to alter or move racking. If you have commissioned a company with the right level of experience, it should be easy to get them back to make changes quickly and responsively.
If you do feel tempted to install or shift racking “in house”, you need to ask if the consequences of getting it wrong are worth it! You risk staff injury, damage to your warehouse or inventory and missed order deadlines. It could even be your company reputation that’s resting on those warehouse racks!
One of the common mistakes in this sector is to erect warehouse racking systems that ignore the manufacturer's instructions. Every upright, brace component and base plate needs to be as specified and carefully matched to the frame size and height that your inventory demands. You can also void your manufacturer’s warranty – and put your business at risk – if you don’t conform to appropriate SEMA/FEM installation tolerances on uneven flooring. Also, installing beams into the frame must involve absolute accuracy, to ensure that safety locks are fully operational. Even the finishing touches can render the system non-compliant. This includes posting Load Notices and codes of practice at regular (highly visible) intervals on the racking; something a conscientious supplier would ensure.
It is the sort of simple oversight that can bring long term problems and could leave your company “without a leg to stand on” if your racking fails or an inspection finds your warehouse is lacking.
Pallet Racking Solutions From Avanta UK
At Avanta we believe in providing pallet racking design and installation which stacks up benefits, rather than storing up trouble. From initial survey through to design and installation, our team are with you every step of the way to ensure that the process is completed efficiently and to an exceptionally high standard. Our turnkey service means we take care of everything from designing a system that takes into account the shape and size of your premises and the needs of your organisation, to ensuring compliance with all regulations and handling the necessary paperwork.
Our racking systems are tailored to meet the individual and specific requirements of every business, and our efficient and professional installation team will have your new racking ready for handover as quickly as possible with minimal disruption. Get in touch to arrange your free site visit, survey and project quote.
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