As a warehouse or distribution center manager, you can benefit from finding ways to increase operational efficiency and safety in your workspace. Selecting the correct rack sizes for your warehouse is a critical task that directly impacts operational efficiency.
Carefully assessing your unique storage needs and operational constraints confirms whether you’re investing in the most suitable solution. Unsure of where to start? This guide to choosing the proper rack size for your warehouse will walk you through the key considerations to help you make selections that optimize space, improve accessibility, and meet your work requirements.
Understand the Different Types of Racks and Their Suitability
Matching the ideal rack to your inventory and workflow is the first step in streamlining warehouse operations. Doing this requires knowledge of the various racks available on the market, how they suit different warehouse needs, and how they align with your operation’s demands.
Shelving Units
Shelving units are versatile and ideal for storing small or medium-sized goods. These racks allow you to easily access and organize items but may not be the best support for the heavy loads typical in larger-scale operations. For this reason, they may be the solution you need if your warehouse deals with lighter inventory or products that require manual picking.
Cantilever Racks
On the other hand, if your warehouse deals with bulkier items, consider cantilever racks. These racks excel at storing larger, longer items, including pipes, lumber, furniture, and more. Unlike other racks, cantilever designs eliminate vertical columns on the front, providing unobstructed shelf access. This feature makes these racks a good fit for warehouses that stock irregularly shaped or oversized goods.
Pallet Racking
Selective pallet racking is a common, relied-on choice, especially for warehouses dealing with palletized materials. They offer the following advantages:
- Accessibility
- Flexibility
- High load capacity
- Compatibility with forklifts
When you upgrade to selective pallet racking or add other shelving and rack system, acquire your solutions from a reliable warehouse shelf and rack manufacturer like Direct Pallet Racking.
Our team understands that warehouses and distribution centers across various industries come in multiple sizes and have distinct needs. For this reason, we collaborate with you to design and handcraft durable products with your specific warehouse operations in mind.
Assess Your Warehouse Dimensions
Understanding your warehouse’s physical dimensions is essential for determining the right rack type and size. Measure the available floor space and warehouse height to determine the usable cubic footage.
When measuring, pay close attention to structural elements that could limit installation, such as ceilings, columns, utility pipes, ventilation systems, fire sprinklers, or uneven floors. These elements can affect rack placement, so accounting for them during planning helps avoid costly installations or adjustments later.
Account for Aisle Width Too
Aisle width is another factor to consider since it directly affects storage capacity and equipment maneuverability. Narrow aisles maximize storage density, while wider aisles may be necessary to accommodate forklifts or other machinery. Matching the aisle layout to your equipment requirements certifies that space constraints won’t compromise productivity.
Know the Types of Goods Stored
The types of goods your warehouse handles will influence what makes a rack size suitable. Examine the size and shape of your inventory items to determine if they’re large enough to require spacious cantilever racks or small enough for standard shelving units to be appropriate.
The types of storage methods you use also influence rack selection. For example, goods stored in bins or containers may need racks with allocated compartments. Palletized products require adequate weight and space allowances for stackable loads, while perishable items may need racks compatible with temperature controls and environmental safety standards. Selecting racks that align with these unique requirements ensures compliance and proper handling of sensitive goods.
Determine Weight Capacity
Selecting racks with adequate weight capacity is vital for safety and functionality in warehouse operations. Investing in racks capable of handling heavy loads may involve higher upfront costs but prevents and minimizes risks such as rack overloading, equipment failure, and accidents.
How can you determine if you need heavy-duty racks or if standard shelving will suffice? Calculate load requirements by assessing the average and maximum weight each rack will need to support. Some rack types, like pallet racks, come with labeled load capacities for each beam level. Compare these figures to your storage needs to confirm compatibility.
Here’s an additional tip for you: include the combined weight of pallets, containers, and goods in your calculations for accurate assessments.
Evaluate Accessibility Needs
Warehouse operations often prioritize accessibility since it impacts picking speed and productivity. Evaluate the frequency of access needed for each type of inventory, choosing racks designed to align with those workflows.
For high-turnover items requiring constant access, racks with open designs, such as selective pallet racks, work well. These designs enable forklifts or manual pickers to retrieve items with ease and are compatible with pallet jacks and automated systems too. Making sure your racks facilitate seamless integration with the equipment you implement in business processes reduces delays and boosts operational efficiency.
Plan for Future Scalability
Warehouses are dynamic environments with requirements that evolve over time. Factors like business growth, seasonal fluctuations, and shifts in inventory type all impact how you use your warehouse.
Planning for scalability guarantees your chosen rack solution remains effective as your needs change. Modular or adjustable rack systems can expand with minimal effort. These systems allow for easy height, width, or load capacity adjustments to accommodate new inventory. Factoring in scalability during the initial selection process avoids unnecessary disruptions and costs associated with replacing or retrofitting rack systems in the future.
Additionally, assess long-term operational goals when selecting racks. For instance, if you aim to increase automation in your warehouse, you may benefit from choosing racks that can integrate with robotic picking systems down the line. Anticipating these developments makes it easier to adapt to new technologies without major overhauls.
By carefully evaluating the factors explored in this guide to choosing the proper rack size for your warehouse, you can make effective, lasting decisions about rack sizes that improve efficiency, promote safety, and support future growth. Proper planning and consideration of all variables can ultimately transform rack selection into a strategic investment for long-term success.
