Shelving & Racking Company The Key Differences … · The Key Differences Between Racking &...
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Transcript of Shelving & Racking Company The Key Differences … · The Key Differences Between Racking &...
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By Sandy LucasBy Sandy LucasEmail: [email protected]: [email protected]
By Sandy LucasEmail: [email protected]
By Sandy LucasBy Sandy LucasEmail: [email protected]: [email protected]
By Sandy LucasEmail: [email protected]
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The Key Differences between Racking and Shelving
When it comes to choosing a suitable storage system, many buyers get confused about thedifferences between shelving and racking.
While you might think there is no difference between the two, there is in fact a huge distinction.Understanding this will help you make an informed decision about the best storage solution foryour needs. Here we provide an overview of the distinguishing features of each.
Choosing the correct shelving or racking system will improve stock transiting operations and speedup workflow for employees, helping to improve overall productivity.
Distinct Differences
A key difference between shelving and racking is how they are fixed into position. Racking isanchored to the ground, whereas shelving is fixed to a wall or joined together with nuts and bolts.Racking is also a much heavier material, and can reach much higher than shelving.
Bolt-on shelving Steel racking
Another defining difference is the situations and environments in which each system is used.Shelving is traditionally used at home or in shops, whereas racking, although occasionally used in adomestic setting, is primarily used in warehouses. In many warehouses racking extends so high thatlarge ladders or vehicles are needed to take down stock from the top levels.
Warehousing companies are well aware that orderliness is paramount to keeping operations runningsmoothly. Racking and shelving must be used efficiently with this in mind. There are many differenttypes of both, and it is important to assess which combinations are appropriate for your needs. Thespecific goods and systems used in a particular warehouse will inform this decision.
Racking: Key Elements
Racking generally spans a wider space, is deeper, and is typically stacked higher than shelving. Thisis because in most cases racking has the advantage of using vertical height to increase cubed density.
It is important to take into account all of your requirements before having any racking installed. Forinstance, you need to check the maximum height that your forklift can reach. You also need toconsider the amount of space that your mechanised system, if you have one, needs to move freelybetween the racking.
Not all racking systems rely on mechanisation. Some – such as those used in large DIY or homeimprovement retail outlets, are designed to be accessed by hand. However, these variants are oftencantilevered so that long, unobstructed racks can be used to store items like timber.
There are, of course, racking solutions available to suit all kinds of stock transiting needs. Forinstance, you can get tall tiers of deep racks that are strong enough to support a multitude of heavypallets and can only be accessed by machines. There are also tall racks combined with a steel mesh,and industrial mezzanine levels (see below) which enable employees to gain access to higher storageareas.
As a rule, no matter the type, all racking also needs to be stronger than shelves – which are accessedby hand. Racks also have to be able to support heavy weights of levels upon levels of palletisedmaterials. In addition, they need to be able to withstand accidental impacts from forklifts ormachinery.
Therefore, always ensure that you have your shelving and racking company supply the correctweight capacities to ensure safe usage.
Examples of heavy duty racking, steel racking, pallet racking & industrial racking
Shelving: Key Elements
Shelving offers solid, counter-like surfaces on which to support items. It usually doesn't have themesh platforms, openness or the scaffold-like look of racking. Shelving systems are predominatelyused for materials that need to be accessed by hand, such as books, small boxes of medicine andauto accessories.
Free-standing shelves can be accessible from either one or both of the longer length sides. Thelength of the shelf is based on the space limitations of its sitting and the amount of weight which it isexpected to hold. A shelf with a hidden internal bracket is termed a floating shelf.
The vertical distance between shelves is based upon the space margins of the unit's sitting and theheight of the objects. Adjustable shelving systems conveniently allow the vertical distance to bealtered.
Before installing shelving or racking, it is advisable to have brainstorming sessions with youremployees. These can help to shed light on storage needs that management may not haveconsidered. It not only lets staff know that everyone is a stakeholder in your organisation'ssuccess, but also leads to good planning.
Example of shelving
Special Solutions
Many creative shelving and racking solutions exist. Two examples are gondola shelving andmezzanine flooring. Brief overviews are provided below.
Gondola Shelving
Gondola shelving is a special type of shelving that is used mainly in supermarkets and shops. It takesthe form of a double or single-sided free-standing unit with retail shelves.
Gondola shelving
Mezzanine Flooring
Mezzanine flooring solutions are another special solution; ideally suited to warehouses, industrialunits and open plan offices.
This robust intermediate level flooring makes optimal use of wasted high-volume space by offering avariety of functional uses, such as additional office space or extra storage capacity.
There are two types of mezzanine flooring. One, with rack support, has racking installed first andthen the flooring placed on top. The other uses structurally supported flooring where the structure isset up first, followed by the flooring. Optional extras include staircases and hand railings.
Mezzanine flooring
Final Notes
To make the best decision about racking and shelving systems for your warehouse, it isrecommended that you talk to a company that specialises in both. They will be able to provide moreinformation on the different types and features of racking and shelving, as well as expert advice onwhat kind of set-up would best meet your needs.
