It is very important to look at what you’re using the racking for and then assessing your options. Different types of racking systems have different purposes. For example, if you were to have inadequate floor space, a mezzanine floor would be the best option, whereas, for someone who needs to stack their storage, this wouldn’t be the right option. Similarly, if your storage is moving regularly, then a dynamic system is a great option, but if you need your pallet racking to hold heavy loads, a cantilever system may be more suitable as it is built to hold heavier loads.
Not only does Pallet Racking Systems Ltd sell a range of quality pallet racking equipment, but we also sell pallet racking accessories. These are add-ons for pallet racking systems that assist in safety or efficiency. Pallet racking accessories help to improve the longevity, value and more importantly, the safety of your warehouse pallet racking system.
Accessories that can be found in many warehouses include timber decking, a variety of frame protectors, back stops, shelf dividers and column guards. The purpose typically fall into two main categories:
- Safety
- Efficiency
Safety: In order to comply with Health and Safety regulations, you may need to invest in safety accessories. They can prevent damage to racking from Forklift trucks and delivery vehicles backing into the warehouse. This could prevent costly repairs to the racking as well as prevent injury to your staff. A floor mounted column guard would be an example of an accessory that would prevent damage to the racking, being fixed at the base of the leg of the racking. Others that provide safety prevent pallets and stored goods from falling. Anti-collapse mesh would be an example which allows a view of the goods but prevents them being pushed off the rear of the racking.
Efficiency: A half pallet insert, for instance, could double the space in your bays offering your twice as much storage. Timber decking would be another example of an accessory that offers increased efficiency. Timber decking provides a ‘floor’ to levels of your racking system which allows storage of goods that either are not suitable to go on a pallet or for convenience. Certain goods would be much more effectively stored on timber decking than the alternative.
Frame Protectors or Column Guards
Pallet Racking Frame Protectors or Column Guards are one of the most common pallet racking accessories used in the UK. These offer cost effective protection for your Pallet racking frames. They can be fixed and surround the bases of the upright steel structures in order to prevent damage to warehouse pallet racking systems caused by collisions with forklift trucks.
Using upright column guards at the base of a warehouse pallet racking system is more than cost effective as collisions can cause substantial damage to your pallet racking and the safety of yourself and those around you. Column guards are also available in bright colours for maximum visibility to help prevent these collisions.
Pallet racking frame protectors reinforce the strength of pallet racking columns, helping to prevent damage and daily wear-and-tear of pallet racking systems. This then prevents unnecessary repair costs and employee safety risks.
Vertical Back Stops
Back stops are vertical beams which prevent goods from being pushed out of the racking. For upper levels, this is particularly important for reasons of health and safety. They would commonly be placed at the rear side of the racking to prevent goods being pushed out of the other side while loading or unloading. Helpfully, vertical back stops allow for a clear view of the racking contents.
Anti-Collapse Mesh
Like back stops, anti-collapse mesh helps to create a safe working environment for staff on the shop floor. The mesh is better than vertical back stops for preventing smaller goods from being pushed out. Anti-collapse mesh is a more than cost effective solution as it prevents damage to stock and improves safety levels for staff members as they are protected from potential injuries that may have been caused by falling debris from pallet racking shelves.
Timber Decking
Timber decking comes in two styles: close boarded and slatted. Close boarded is a solid floor of wood on which all sizes of goods can be stored. This is effective for storing smaller goods or different types of goods next to each other in a bay. Slatted timber decking acts as a permanent pallet across the whole level of racking and allows for storage of all types of goods. Pallets can be placed on both of these types of decking.
Rack End Protection Barriers or Heavy Duty Barriers
Rack end protection is positioned at the end of pallet racking aisles as this is the area that is most commonly damaged by accidental impact from fork lift trucks. These heavy duty barriers prevent costly accidents – preventing damage and disruption in the warehouse whilst ensuring the safety of staff members. Rack end protectors provide flexibility due to high impact absorption. Also, minimal maintenance is required due to paint preventing rust and rot.
Safety Barrier System
Protect racking or areas of your warehouse with a safety barrier system. Like motorway barriers, these barriers prevent impact from forklift trucks and delivery vehicles which might back into the warehouse. Barrier systems could also be added around an area such as an internal demountable office which may be vulnerable to collapse if impacted by a vehicle.
Second-Hand Pallet Racking
Buying Second-Hand Pallet Racking from Pallet Racking Systems is a great way to cut your warehouse costs whilst retaining great quality at a fantastic price. The racking systems we sell will not only be great quality but will meet all of the relevant industry standards to ensure safety in the warehouse.