Types of Industrial Racking

• Standard Selective Pallet Rack
• Push Back Pallet Rack
• Drive In/Drive Through Pallet Rack
• Pallet Flow Racking
• Mobile Pallet Rack

Selective Pallet Rack

Selective pallet racks are the most popular and common racking option. Essentially metal shelves built for palletized items and allow easy access for forklifts. Selective racking is typically designed to be a single pallet deep, but it can be assembled back-to-back to form a double deep system to increase storage capacity. Selective pallet rack is available in two different types, roll formed (or clip-in) and structural (bolted).

The roll formed style typically are manufactured with teardrop shaped holes that support the racks horizontal beams. The beams clip into the upright frames and are easy to reconfigure if needed. Racks with the teardrop holes are often compatible with other teardrop style racks, which means there is  a good chance you can use these racks with your existing racks and not have to worry about connectivity.

Structural pallet rack is manufactured using structural steel components. The beams attach to the uprights with a bolted connection.

Push Back Pallet Rack

Push Back racking systems are made for high density product storage. Utilizing LIFO (last in, first out) as each pallet is loaded, it is place on a free rolling cart and pushed back into the lane by loading additional pallets. As the pallets are removed, gravity moves the remaining pallets forward towards the aisle for easy access. Push Back rack is typically 2 to 6 pallets deep and is good for food applications and storage. 

Drive In/Drive Through Pallet Rack

Both Drive In and Drive Through systems allow for significantly more storage density than standard pallet rack. They are an efficient use of available space that utilizes standard pallet rack rail beams to store the pallets in a dense configuration. Handling equipment enters the rack structure to slot or extract pallets. These systems are great for warehouses with high volume and low SKU numbers.

Drive In uses a last in, first out system where a single input-output point per storage bay is used.

Drive Through uses a first in, first out system that loads on one side and unloads from the other.

Pallet Flow Racking

Pallet Flow, also known as Gravity Flow, has slightly sloped lanes that use the force of gravity to move pallets forward. Pallets are loaded from the back of the rack and roll to the front for easy removal. As a pallet is removed, the next one rolls forward to take its place. This type of racking allows for higher storage density than standard pallet rack. This is a great solution for frozen storage warehouses, food distributors, and high volume warehouses where pallets are removed and replaced frequently.  Uses first in, first out system which is ideal for material with expiration dates.

Mobile Pallet Rack

Mobile Pallet Rack units are installed over guided bases that slide laterally, which eliminates the need for multiple fixed aisles. The bases are electronically powered and guided by rails in the floor. This greatly increases the storage capacity and reduces the area required.