How Much Weight Can Pallet Racking Hold
When we buy pallet racking, the topic of weight bearing is something we can not avoid, but also a very important point. So how much weight can pallet racking bear? And how are these weight results calculated? What else do we need to know?
Then let's take these questions to read this article together!
How Much Weight Can Pallet Racking Take?
Usually, a standard set of heavy-duty pallet racking is in the range of 2000-6000 kilograms per level. However, this is not fixed and there are many factors that can affect the load capacity of the racking.
So when you work with your pallet racking supplier/manufacturer, you need to present them with your load bearing requirements so that they can make pallet racking that suits your needs.
How to Calculate the Load Capacity of Pallet Racking
Calculating the load capacity of pallet racking will involve a lot of factors, so the method we give you can only do a rough calculation, for details we still recommend you to check with your supplier.
To calculate the load capacity you need the following steps, now let me show you!
Pallet Weight
The first step is that we need to know what the overall weight of one of your pallets is. In this case, I mean the overall weight of the pallet is your pallet itself plus the goods you place on it.
Number of Pallets
In the second step, we need to calculate how many pallets we intend to place on each level of shelving and how we place them and how much spacing space we want to leave.
Carrying Capacity of the Crossbeam
Step 3: Calculate your beam capacity.
Beam capacity refers to the capacity of the lateral support beams on this level of your racking, which you will generally need to determine with your manufacturer so that they can give you a range. Of course, here you need to remember that the load capacity of the beam is required to be greater than or equal to your total weight of each layer of pallets, and we usually recommend that buyers choose greater than your total weight of each layer of pallets is the best.
Here is a formula to calculate: the total load capacity of the beam ≥ the overall weight of each pallet × the number of pallets per layer;
Carrying Capacity of Columns
Step 4: Calculate the load capacity of your columns.
Columns are the vertical support components of pallet racking, and they are located at the four corners of the racking to provide a force for each layer of racking. Because of this, calculating the load capacity of the columns requires adding up the weight of each layer. We continue to recommend that your column capacity be greater than the total weight of each tier, which is a safer and more conservative choice.
Again, we have a formula to use in this step to calculate the: the total carrying capacity of the column ≥ the total weight of each layer of pallets × the number of layers of shelves;
Safety Factor
Step 5: Consider the safety factor of our shelves.
The safety factor is a design parameter whose main purpose is to ensure that the racking is safe and reliable in use. Racking can be caused by installation errors, environmental factors and material aging that can prevent your pallet racking from reaching its original theoretical maximum load value, so it's important to consider the racking safety factor.
However, the size of the safety factor needs to be finalized according to the use of the environment and safety requirements, the usual situation is recommended between 1.25-1.5.
Calculation formula: safe load capacity = calculated load capacity ÷ safety factor;
Example
Suppose each pallet of our buyer has a total weight of 500 kilograms, and four pallets are placed on each shelf, and there are five shelves in total.
Then we can conclude that the load capacity of each beam is 2,000 kilograms and the load capacity of the column is 10,000 kilograms.
Carrying capacity of beams:
500 kg (total weight of pallet) x 4 (number of pallets) = 2000 kg
Carrying capacity of column:
2000 kg (load capacity of crossbeam) x 5 (number of shelves) = 10000 kg
Safety factor:
Safe load capacity = 10000 kg (column load capacity) ÷ 1.5 (set the safety factor) ≈ 6667 kg
Here it comes out that the column's carrying capacity within the safety range is 6667 kg after taking the safety factor into account.
My advice here is that it is best to consult with the racking supplier/manufacturer's professionals to ensure the accuracy of the data.
What Are the Factors Affecting the Load-Bearing Capacity of Pallet Racking?
Generally there are these four factors:
Shelf Material and Quality
The higher the load capacity of pallet racking, the higher the thickness and quality of the steel required, so it is very important to use high-quality steel and a strict production process.
Design
The design of the shelves often determines the maximum load capacity of the shelves. Because the force points of the shelves will change depending on the design, the load capacity will also be affected. When we need to customize the shelves, we also need to know if the manufacturer you are working with has engineers involved in your customization project to avoid mistakes in the design of your shelves.
Placement of Goods
The more uniformly the pallet racking is stressed, the better. Because when your goods are placed evenly according to the weight, the shelves will fully utilize its carrying capacity, and this will also be safer!
Beam Spacing
Every buyer has a different need for beam spacing in pallet racking, because the longer the beam spacing, the more goods can be placed. However, it is important to realize that the shorter the beam spacing, the higher the load capacity of each tier, and the longer the beam spacing, the lower the load capacity of each tier.
What Are the OSHA Standards for Pallet Racking?
OSHA's standards for pallet racking focus on the following points: the design and safety of the racking should be in accordance with specifications, pallet racking should be inspected and maintained on a regular basis, employees should be provided with training in its operation, and the workplace should be kept clean and safe. This series of standards is to ensure the safety of the employees at work and to reduce the number of injuries and other accidents at work.
I will now show you some of the key standards and related requirements for OSHA.
Design and Installation
29 CFR 1910.176(b)
Material must not be in aisles and exits. They need to be stored appropriately and measures need to be taken to prevent them from collapsing and falling during storage of materials.
29 CFR 1910.22
Floors and ground surfaces in the workplace should be kept clean and dry and should not contain standing water or oil.
Structure and Load Bearing
ANSI MH16.1 (RMI Standard)
Shelving systems need to meet the design standards of the manufacturer and the Rack Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (RMI), and shelving should be utilized in strict compliance with the specifications and load ranges provided by the manufacturer.
Safety Measures
29 CFR 1910.178
Each forklift operator on duty is pre-trained and certified and is subject to the relevant operating and safety regulations when the operator uses a forklift or other powered industrial forklift.
Employee Training
29 CFR 1910.1200
Employers are required to provide employees with the necessary training before they start work, to ensure that employees are fully aware of the hazards of chemicals in the workplace and are aware of the protective measures associated with them.
For more information you can check out OSHA, or if you want to learn more quickly, then contacting us for free professional support may be the convenient and right choice.
Get Support From a Professional Pallet Racking Manufacturer
When we've read to the end, could my content have helped you? If you have a new need for your pallet racking, as well as you perhaps don't want to go to so much trouble, then why not try and let us help you!
Consultations and other services are free until you pay for your racking, and I think the HEDA Racking team's twenty years of experience will be able to fully address all your needs!