Racking Systems
Adjustable pallet racking (APR) is designed specifically for the storage of palletised goods and is available in many alternative forms.
Standard APR is the most widely used of all palletised storage systems. Each pallet location is directly accessible and requires no specialised handling equipment. The aisle widths, dependent on the type of truck operated, can vary considerably.
Using counterbalance trucks – the most stable truck to work inside and outside the building – aisles can be as wide as 3.5m.
Developed specifically for warehousing, reach trucks will operate in aisles reduced to approximately 2.5m. If articulated fork trucks, such as Bendi® or Flexi® trucks are used, the aisle width can be reduced to as narrow as 1.6m.
Specialist very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks can operate in an even narrower aisle and can be wire or rail guided.
With APR, the same basic components can be arranged to create four alternative systems:-
1. Narrow Aisle or VNA
Aisles as narrow as 1380mm (truck dependent) – gives a high density usage of space with each pallet being accessible.
2. Drive-in
Very dense storage achieved when ‘first in/last out’ (FILO) bulk stocked items are stored. Each lane emptied top to bottom and front to back
3. Push Back
Works on the same system as drive-in (FILO) but allows individual levels to be accessed whilst others in the rack are full, so mixed stock can be stored up to five pallets deep.
4. Double Deep
FILO but double the capacity with half the aisles – a double deep fork truck is required.
Pallet live storage and mobile pallet racking are also available, as are multi-tier pallet racking based shelving systems.
All these options can increase the capacity of the warehouse. Together with an extensive range of accessories, from anti-collapse safety mesh to upright protection and end of rack rails, they enable the basic system to meet a wide range of storage needs for items as diverse as carpets, coils and drums.
