De-parting Product: An In-Depth Look at Warehouse Shelving Parts
It’s a big puzzle. Or, for those electronic-brained people, it’s like a giant game of Tetris. Move one box and the others readjust. Move another and the space is cleared. Move the wrong one and you lose everything. Warehouse storage is a little like these games. Your storage methods need to be efficient and practical, as well as cost-effective.
You can customize your warehouse configuration by using various available parts in both traditional and non-traditional ways. By thinking a little outside those boxes, you can open a whole new world of storage techniques and shelving. Let’s start with an overview of the basic parts and the standard configurations. Then, each month, you can visit our blog page for an in-depth look at each of these parts. You’ll be an expert in no time!
Beam Basics: Beams are among the most recognized shelving parts, but also the most misused. These cross bars that hold pallets on a rack are both the foundation and the support of any warehouse design. Beams should be chosen based on their load-bearing capacity, which is measured by the span, or length, of the beam, and the pounds per pair, or amount of storage weight that can be held between a pair of beams. They are usually adjustable in height, so they give your warehouse design lots of flexibility. Explore the different types of beams, and choose the style that is going to best hold your product containers.
Vertical Stanchions: We’re talking more than crowd control stanchions on this one. Vertical stanchions in the warehouse need to be sturdy and fitted properly. You can design your shelving any way you like with adjustable stanchions or by using a variety of sizes. Before you order, explore the many different kinds of stanchions.
Wire decking: From pallet rack wire decking to heavy-duty wire shelves, the choice of wire vs. wood is obvious. While load weight will dictate the type of decking you need, wire decking has advantages that most warehouse designers deem necessary. First, it meets fire code standards and doesn’t hold water in the event that the sprinkler system is activated. Your product will be less likely to be damaged. Wire decking reflects light and gives your warehouse a more open feeling. Stored product gets necessary air flow, and dust is minimized. You can use different types of wire decking to hold product and to separate it into sections.
Seismic plates: Even though Maryland isn’t prone to earthquakes, seismic plates of the warehousing kind are important. The seismic plate anchors the rack or shelving to the floor. It is load-bearing and will help keep your shelving steady in the event of bumps, thumps or quakes. It’s protection for both your employees and your product. The seismic plates keep the rack steady, preventing boxes or products from falling to the ground and hitting someone or breaking precious inventory. Your product will be safe from the errant forklift driver who backs into the rack. Your person packing today’s shipment will be safe when the box he’s reaching for tumbles against the rack and the rack stays in place. Seismic plates serve you well.
Cantilever shelving: From light duty to heavy duty, cantilever shelving and racks are available for every need. The key is building upward to make the best use of space. Shelving is the most cost-effective way to do that. Cantilever shelving eliminates the front columns of traditional pallet racks, allowing you to stack your product higher because you can access it horizontally. Heavy duty cantilever shelving accommodates a wide range of lengths and sizes.
When choosing your warehouse configuration and materials, consider safety, efficiency and ROI. Know your objectives and communicate them to your sales consultant or warehouse design specialist. Call Everything Warehouse 1-800-380-7816 to help you customize your warehouse for efficiency and profit.
