Racking Components

Common racking components that you’ll find in various types of systems include:

Uprights

Uprights are the vertical columns that bear the load of a racking system. A system’s stability and structural soundness relies heavily on uprights. They are available in various heights and can be modified to accommodate different loading capacities. Teardrop uprights are a popular choice, and by combining them with the right teardrop pallet rack accessories, warehouses can customize their racking systems.

Beams

Beams are horizontal components that connect to the uprights and provide a surface to place pallets on. Beams bear the weight of stored inventory and can be customized for different load capacities.

Wire Decking

Wire decking pallet racks lay over beams to support pallets. They offer exceptional visibility, airflow and fire safety, making them well-suited for storing items that demand ample ventilation.

Row Spacers

Ensure row stability and proper spacing between rows with spacers. Position these fixtures between adjacent rows to create a space that allows forklifts and other equipment to safely and easily move between racks.

Wall Ties

Wall ties secure a single-row rack to a wall, as it is often necessary to fasten a rack to the wall, especially tall ones.

Support Bars

Support bars connect the pallet rack’s beams, enhancing the rack’s structural integrity. These bars hold the pallet’s weight and contents.

Utilize the following optional racking components to help safeguard your system and its contents.

Column and Post Protectors

Safeguard your columns and posts from forklift damage with these components. Post protectors also prevent damage from pallet jacks and other material handling equipment.

Rack Guards

Protect your racking system from workplace vehicle collisions by placing a rack guard around the rack legs. This component can absorb and redirect impacts, channeling energy away from the rack legs.

You can choose racking components consisting of the following materials:

Steel

Steel possesses a notable amount of tensile strength, meaning it can withstand a large amount of stress from bearing a load and is also durable. Thanks to its hardness, it boasts a high resistance to wear and tear. You can apply different kinds of paint to steel to prevent rust, which is one of the few vulnerabilities of a steel racking system.

Aluminum

Aluminum is commonly used for industrial shelving due to its lightweight nature — you can quickly move shelves around. This racking material is popular in the food and medical industries, as it is an odorless and non-toxic metal. It is also fire-resistant and can easily survive a blaze. However, aluminum doesn’t offer the same strength as steel structures.

Wood

Wood is a relatively low-cost material with moderate durability, making it suitable for basic racking systems. However, wood is flammable and is prone to cracking and splintering — if a warehouse fire occurs, it will exacerbate the spread of flames. Wood is also prone to rot in damp areas.

Plastic

Companies might opt for plastic racking components like rack guards and even pallets. Plastic parts can be simpler to install and are more cost-effective than steel or aluminum. Plastic pallets, for example, are easy to wash without worrying about mold or rot.