Before installing or upgrading a pallet racking system in your warehouse, you should have a complete understanding of the various components. Pallet rack uprights are an integral component of every pallet racking system. These uprights help secure the entire racking structure. Uprights made with inaccurate dimensions can compromise the structural integrity of the pallet racking system. So, we’ve put together this guide that discusses pallet rack uprights in detail and will tell you everything you need to know about their dimensions and how to accurately estimate them.
What Are Pallet Rack Uprights?
Rack uprights are connected to every beam to strengthen the entire warehouse racking structure. The pallet rack upright bears the weight of your inventory, while the horizontal beams act as shelves. Uprights come in varying styles, heights, widths, and build qualities. This allows you to select one that suits your warehouse needs.
By designing and maintaining your pallet rack uprights properly, you can not only optimize your warehouse space but also prevent potential hazards like rack collapses and inventory damage.
Understanding Pallet Rack Upright Dimensions
To ensure that your warehouse is well organized, it’s important for you to understand the pallet rack’s upright dimensions. Here are some of the crucial factors that you should be aware of:
- Height: The height of your pallet rack upright determines the total amount of vertical space that you can use, allowing you to have multiple levels of storage. However, the height of your pallet rack upright frame should leave enough room between the top-level rack and the warehouse’s ceiling.
- Load Distribution: Load distribution plays a vital role in determining your pallet rack’s upright dimensions, as the weight of your inventories must be evenly spread to prevent the structure from collapsing.
- Thickness: Your pallet rack upright frame is as strong as the gauge of steel used in its manufacturing. The higher the gauge, the thicker your upright and a thicker upright offers better stability.
- Overhang: Since the pallet rack would be upholding tons of weight, you need to have a strong pallet rack with an upright base and depth that can support the weight efficiently, without overhanging your inventories.
While determining the right pallet rack’s upright dimensions, special attention should be paid to these factors to make the best decision.
How To Measure The Pallet Rack Upright Dimensions?
To measure the pallet rack upright dimensions as accurately as possible, multiply the estimated maximum load for a single beam level by the total number of beams in your pallet rack upright.
You also need to consider the beam spacing within your pallet rack upright. This can easily be measured with the capacity chart that your rack manufacturer may have provided you. Alternatively, you can hire a professional rack engineer to do all these calculations.
If you want to do these calculations yourself, take the measurements mentioned below to estimate your pallet rack’s upright dimension.
1. Load distribution
Your pallet rack upright dimensions are directly related to the load of your pallet racks. To achieve maximum structural capacity, you need to distribute the weight of your pallet racks evenly. Incorrect pallet position can weigh down the upright column from one end, which would result in an unbalanced rack, putting the safety of the warehouse at risk.
For a standard pallet rack upright dimension, a 96-inch beam should carry a maximum of 4044 lbs per pair.
2. Height-to-depth ratio
As per the standard pallet rack upright dimensions, the height-to-depth ratio for a pallet rack system should be between 6 to 1. For a rough estimation, a standard pallet rack system that comes with 42-inch racks should have a combined height of up to 21 feet.
The added depth to your pallet rack’s upright dimensions offers more stability to the system, especially in worst-case scenarios like collision, accident, or frame instability.
3. Rack Anchors
Rack anchors help secure the base of the pallet rack upright to the warehouse’s concrete floor. These rack anchors must be wide enough to support the entire pallet racking system. And, your pallet rack upright should perfectly fit these anchors for added support.
Proper rack anchors in your pallet rack upright allow you to use taller uprights while maintaining structural integrity.
Conclusion
Sturdy and safe pallet rack uprights keep your racking safe from accidental damage and structural collapses. However, to achieve that sturdiness and safety, you must accurately determine all the pallet rack upright dimensions. Our guide covers all aspects that you should consider when deciding the dimensions of your pallet rack uprights. So, we hope this guide proves helpful to you.
FAQs
1. Is There Any Standard Pallet Rack Upright Dimension?
There are no standard dimensions for pallet rack uprights. Usually, the pallet rack uprights are manufactured at a height ranging from 8 feet to 24 feet tall.
2. Why Pallet Rack Upright Dimensions Are Usually 3 Inches Wide?
A 3-inch wide outer face is almost standard in every pallet rack upright. This standard size makes the length calculation of the racking rows easier and quicker.
3. Why 36-42-48 Are Considered To Be Standard Pallet Rack Upright Dimensions?
The sole responsibility of uprights is to accommodate pallets. For example, the 48-deep pallets work well with the 42’ uprights. That’s why the 48-deep pallets and the 42’ uprights are so easily available in the market. The same thing applies to 36’ and 48’ pallet rack uprights.