A warehouse or storage facility is only as effective as its storage devices, making metal storage racks an integral part of the success of any storage-oriented operation. Storage facilities rely on dependable racking systems to store their products.
As a crucial piece of equipment, it is in the operation’s best interest to learn how to get the most out of their metal storage racks. Doing so can increase productivity, boost profit margins, and keep employees safe.
Choose the Correct Storage Rack for Your Facility’s Needs
With so many metal storage racks available, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. Some critical factors to consider before choosing your racking include:
Warehouse Layout
Before choosing your storage racks, consider the physical features of your warehouse or storage facility. The first of these considerations is your warehouse’s size in terms of floor space and ceiling height.
Many racking systems, such as Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc.’s vertical storage rack, are designed to minimize the use of floor space in favor of vertical space, so you should decide if that approach is optimal for your business based on your facility’s layout.
Our vertical storage racks are welded for enhanced durability and feature a chain restraint to keep products upright. This racking system is ideal for businesses that wish to better utilize their facility’s space to store long products.
If your warehouse has ample floor space but a relatively low ceiling, you may need to search for racking systems with that in mind. On the other hand, if your warehouse has plenty of vertical space but is a bit limited in floor space, it is best to select a rack that takes advantage of your high ceiling.
Our vertical storage racks are welded for enhanced durability and feature a chain restraint to keep products upright. This racking system is ideal for businesses that wish to better utilize their facility’s space to store long products.
If your warehouse has ample floor space but a relatively low ceiling, you may need to search for racking systems with that in mind. On the other hand, if your warehouse has plenty of vertical space but is a bit limited in floor space, it is best to select a rack that takes advantage of your high ceiling.
Types of Products Stored
Another vital factor to consider when shopping for a storage racking system is the nature of your inventory. The first thing to consider is the average size of your inventory.
If you are storing lightweight products, you can choose a lower-weight capacity racking. One convenient option for lightweight storage is Shelving + Rack Supply Inc.’s portable stacking racks, which can be stacked up to five pallets high and are considerably easier to handle than heavier racks.
On the other hand, if you are storing large, bulky inventory, choosing a heavy-duty storage rack with a high load capacity is a prime consideration. Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc.’s galvanized pallet racks feature very high weight capacities, a versatile design, and durable steel construction, making them ideal for facilities that store heavyweight products.
The shape of your inventory also impacts the best type of racking system for your operation. For example, if you are storing cumbersome or cylindrical products, you may need to choose a type of racking designed to handle such a product, like Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc.’s galvanized cantilever-style rack.
These racks are designed to handle bulky, unusually-shaped loads such as timber, furniture, and boats and are constructed with hot-dipped galvanized steel to increase their durability.
Also, consider the perishability of your products. For storing perishable goods, such as food or medicine, you must choose a racking system with a powder coating that allows airflow around the product while minimizing light exposure. Choosing a racking system that fits your product’s needs can help you reduce shrinkage and maximize profit margins.
Also, consider the perishability of your products. For storing perishable goods, such as food or medicine, you must choose a racking system with a powder coating that allows airflow around the product while minimizing light exposure. Choosing a racking system that fits your product’s needs can help you reduce shrinkage and maximize profit margins.
Climate
Warehouses and storage facilities fall into two broad categories: outdoor and indoor. If your warehouse is located outdoors, consider the year-round climate in the area your warehouse is located in. The yearly high and low temperatures, average high and low temperatures, amount of precipitation, wind levels, and humidity are important factors in choosing a storage rack for an outdoor facility.
You should also consider the possibility of inclement weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes.
For example, if your area is prone to high levels of rainfall, you should choose a rack made with rust-resistant material, such as Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc’s Klip-It industrial steel shelving units. These storage systems are designed for rugged use, featuring cold-rolled steel with a rust-resistant phosphatized finish.
If your facility is subjected to high heat and humidity levels, select a rack that allows proper air circulation to avoid damaging the stored products.
One way to facilitate the necessary airflow to these products is by using Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc.’s wire decking. This decking transforms your racks into a wire shelving unit and features gaps between the steel wire, allowing enhanced airflow to keep your products well-circulated.
Choosing a suitable type of racking for your climate can help you make the most of your storage systems by avoiding unnecessary damage to your inventory.
Provide Forklift Training
Forklift accidents are relatively common in a warehouse setting and can damage or destroy your inventory or racking systems. Unfortunately, approximately 100 Americans die annually as a result of forklift accidents.
Forklifts are integral to warehouse operations. One of the best ways to prevent a potentially-dangerous forklift incident is through proper employee training. Under OSHA standards, all forklift operators must be certified in the proper operation of the devices.
OSHA offers training, certification, and refresher courses in forklift operation. These courses contain valuable information for keeping your facility and its employees in compliance with OSHA standards.
If your facility uses forklifts, consider the strength of your racking systems. If a forklift collides with a weaker rack, the results are often catastrophic; the rack may no longer be usable, any products stored on the rack can be destroyed, and employees can be seriously injured.
As a result, it is best to use racking made from heavy-duty materials that can resist forklift collisions, like galvanized steel.
Perform Daily Rack Inspections
By performing rack inspections daily, you can get the most out of your metal storage shelves and reduce the chance of a potentially costly rack collapse or failure. While many warehouse operations perform yearly, monthly, or weekly inspections of their racking systems to ensure ANSI compliance, it is a best practice to evaluate each racking or metal shelf system daily.
This allows you to proactively address any issues that arise instead of reacting to costly and dangerous accidents. To perform a rack inspection, follow these steps:
Inspect the rack’s condition by checking for seared or crushed frames, bent columns or beams, broken components, and loose or missing bolts.
Check each rack for signs of issues, such as scratched paint, dents, or the accumulation of dust, moisture, or rust.
Check the inventory for signs of racking issues, such as damaged packaging.
Check any freestanding shelving for balance issues or instability.
Maintain Racks Correctly
Properly maintaining your metal shelving is vital to prevent deterioration. This maintenance should be performed as often as possible, preferably daily after the rack inspection. By performing both of these tasks daily, you can identify and address potential issues before they grow into costly problems. To properly maintain a metal storage rack:
Ensure even loading of each pallet
Replace any broken or damaged baseplates
Replace any broken or damaged nuts or bolts
Clear any forklift aisles of debris or hazards
Clean and disinfect each rack
Re-apply any rust-proofing or frost-proofing materials
Metal Storage Racks at Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc.
If you are searching for the perfect metal storage rack for your facility, Shelving + Rack Supply, Inc., is one of America’s leading providers of shelving and racking systems. For more information about our products or services, call (800) 589-7225.
When designing or upgrading your facility, we are with you every step of the way, from initial planning to equipment service.
