Pallet Storage System Design – Part 1

 

When considering a new warehouse or distribution facility one of the first things that need to be addressed is your pallet storage system.  In this multi-part blog we will look at the different types of storage available to meet your needs and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Selective Storage Systems

The most commonly used and the most basic of all pallet rack systems is Selective Pallet Racking.  Selective Pallet Racking is typically designed with single and double rows of racking, spaced with aisles from 9’ or larger, depending on the lift equipment that will be used.  

Selective Wide Aisle Storage

 

When we begin designing for a standard Selective Storage System, our first step is to evaluate the number of pallet SKUs and quantities of each that are stored at any given time.  We then determine the type of rack and the optimal aisle spacing to match your facility.  This is driven by many factors however one of the most important things is to look at the facilities column spacing.  Many years ago, the easiest design would be a system with 40’ column spacing, utilizing sit-down lift equipment.  In this scenario you would know that 2 single rows and one double row of Pallet Rack would fit perfectly throughout the facility.  As warehouses have been built taller, the use of sit down lift equipment in the pallet storage area has given way to the more nimble, compact and higher reaching stand up reach trucks.  These new lifts allow our design team to optimize space using narrow aisle and Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) configurations.  This will be discussed in a future article.

Selective Pallet Rack is a good system when you are dealing with a multitude of different pallet SKUs.  This system allows full access to each pallet without double handling.  The reason this system is not the end all be all of pallet storage is the amount of space it requires to store your pallets.  If you require multiple locations for the same SKU then this system may not be the best fit for you.

A selective system is a very good solution for almost any type of storage and is usually very inexpensive when greater density is not required.  However, as you need more space and continue to grow you may want to begin to think of the other options available to you.

 

Call today for more information at (201) 507-0999.