Pallet racking systems are the backbone of warehouse storage, offering efficient ways to organize products while optimizing floor space.
However, understanding the terminology associated with pallet racking is essential to make the right decisions for your business.
By familiarizing yourself with the key terms, you can avoid costly mistakes, ensure safe operations, and streamline your warehouse’s workflow.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most common pallet rack terms, providing clear, actionable definitions to help you better understand your system and make informed choices.
Common Industry Terms Explained:
Here are the frequently used industry terms:
- Aisle: An aisle is an open space between rows of pallet racks that allow forklifts or workers to move and access stored goods, with wider aisles facilitating easier access.
- Anchors / Bolts: These are the fasteners used to secure the pallet racks to the floor. They keep the racks steady and prevent them from moving or tipping over.
- Anti-Collapse Mesh: Anti-collapse mesh is a safety net or wire mesh installed at the back of racks to prevent items from falling off.
- Back Stop: A backstop is a barrier at the rear of pallet racks that prevents pallets from being pushed too far and falling off.
- High Bay: A single section of pallet racking, made up of two vertical frames and the beams that support the load.
- Upright: The upside frame in the racking system that holds the beams and other components in order.
- Beam: The horizontal beam that links the pallet rack frames. It holds the pallets and supports the weight of the stored items.
- Bracing: Diagonal or horizontal supports that strengthen the pallet racks, making sure they don’t wobble or collapse.
- Cell: A specific slot or area within a pallet rack where a single pallet or item is stored.
- Clear Entry: The open space between the uprights of a pallet rack. This width determines how easily a pallet can be loaded or unloaded.
- Column Guard: A protective cover placed around the bottom of pallet rack uprights to shield them from damage by forklifts or other machinery.
- Decking: A surface, often made of wire mesh or wood, placed on beams to hold goods that can’t sit directly on the beams.
- End Frame: The vertical frame at the end of a row of pallet racks that holds the beams in place and provides structural support.
- Face: The front side of the pallet rack where pallets are loaded and unloaded.
- Fork Entry: The space designed for a forklift to insert its forks to lift and move pallets.
- Frame: The top framework that holds up the entire racking system. It consists of vertical posts and cross braces.
- Guide Rail: A low rail is installed on the floor along the aisles to help guide forklifts and keep them from hitting the racks.
- Load Beam: A load beam is a horizontal support bar on a rack that secures pallets in position.
- Load Capacity: The weight a pallet can easily hold. Overloading can cause damage or accidents.
- Mesh Decking: A wire mesh surface placed on the beams to support items that don’t fit on pallets or need extra safety.
- Pallet Support Bar: Pallet support bars are placed across beams to provide additional reinforcement for pallets, preventing them from slipping through the gaps.
- Rack: A rack is the complete framework of beams, uprights, and accessories that constitute the pallet racking system.
- Row Spacer: A connector that keeps two rows of racks at a safe distance from each other, adding stability to the system.
- Run A continuous line of pallet racks placed side by side in a warehouse.
- Safety Lock: A small mechanism that secures the beams to the uprights, ensuring they don’t accidentally become dislodged.
- Shelf: A flat surface, often made of wood or metal, placed on beams to hold goods that are not stored on pallets.
- Shim: A thin piece of material placed under the upright frames to level pallet racks on uneven floors.
- Splice Kit: A set of parts used to extend the height of pallet racks by joining two sections of uprights together.
- Starter Bay: The first bay in a row of pallet racking that stands alone and does not rely on another bay for support.
- Support Bar: A bar that adds extra reinforcement under decking or pallets for additional stability.
Conclusion:
Understanding pallet rack terminology is essential for ensuring the safety, efficiency, and smooth operation of any warehouse.
If you’re looking for reliable and customizable pallet racking solutions, explore what OKE Racking has to offer.
With us, you can find the perfect system to enhance your warehouse operations and ensure everything runs smoothly.