What is Structural Pallet Racking

When it comes to industrial pallet racking systems in medium to large warehouses, structural pallet racking is an option that cannot be avoided. So maybe at this moment you are wondering, what is structural pallet racking? Is this kind of industrial pallet racking capable of meeting our usage needs? Is it really suitable for me?

So, next we will combine years of experience in manufacturing and selling industrial pallet racking to answer everything about structural pallet racking for you!

What is structural pallet racking？

Structural pallet racking probably got its name from the fact that the raw materials used in its manufacture are very special. It is used in heavy duty or high density environments where the width, depth and height of a structural pallet racking system is very large. So when manufacturers face this demand, we use structural steel in the manufacture of pallet racking, and this is where the name structural pallet racking comes from.

And structural steel is a kind of hot rolled steel, through the high temperature heating and then the steel will be shaped, the common shape of H-type or C-type. Compared to cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel has a simpler manufacturing process and higher load-bearing capacity, so for our industrial use, hot rolled steel is more appropriate.

It is also because of the better load bearing and impact resistance of structural steel that structural pallet racking is used in heavy manufacturing, cold storage or distribution centers.

Advantage of structural pallet racking

High material strength

The H/C hot rolled steel used in structural pallet racking is thicker and stronger than cold rolled steel, so it can withstand higher weights and frequent use.

Heavy-duty capability

Because of its H/C cross-section, structural steel has better resistance to bending and torsion. When applied to structural pallet racking, the heavy-duty loading capacity of the entire rack is very high, which makes it particularly suitable for heavy-duty storage environments.

Good impact resistance

In the warehouse operation to do worry is forklift or other handling equipment collision to the racking, serious cases may lead to the collapse of the racking system, goods damage or personal injury. However, the impact resistance of structural pallet racking is very good, and it can withstand the impact of forklift trucks and other handling equipment during daily operations.

Long service life

Because of its material, structural pallet racking has a longer service life, especially in corrosive environments, such as high temperature changes or high humidity.

High safety

The connection of structural pallet racking columns and beams, which are usually bolted or welded, ensures that they remain stable even with heavy loads. They are also equipped with additional safety accessories such as safety pins, column protectors, back bracing, pallet supports, safety bars和safety netting, etc. for added safety.

Disadvantage of structural pallet racking

Higher costs

In a real-world environment, structural pallet racking systems are usually used for larger quantities, possibly for orders that cover an entire warehouse. In this case, the purchase cost of most structural pallet racking is high.

Structural pallet racking also belongs to the high load-bearing racking system, the height and weight of a column is not comparable to the conventional pallet racking, so the installation also needs professional equipment and team to carry out, so the installation cost is also higher.

And although structural pallet racking is very durable, there is no racking system that does not require maintenance, so structural pallet racking also requires regular maintenance, especially in the case of large-scale adoption, the cost of maintenance will also be higher.

Large footprint

In order to meet the higher load demand, structural pallet racking components are bigger and thicker in size, which means you need to provide a bigger site to accommodate its installation space.

Low flexibility

Since most of the components of structural pallet racking are bolted or welded together, and because of the weight and size of the components themselves, it can be very difficult to dismantle or adjust the racking.

Racks are heavy

Because structural pallet racking is made of thicker materials to meet heavy-duty requirements, its components are heavier, which makes it heavier. And you also need to carry goods, then the weight of the whole racking system reaches a high figure.

And this has high requirements for your warehouse floor, if your ground is not strong enough, it is also very likely that the ground tilts safety accidents.

Single range of application

Due to the large size of structural pallet racking, it is not cost-effective if you do not use it regularly for storing heavy goods.

Components of structural pallet racking

Strictly speaking, structural pallet racks are a type of pallet rack, so their components are similar to pallet racks. Let me introduce you to some basic parts.

Uprights / Frames

These are the vertical support sections of the rack, and the uprights have multiple holes for installing beams, typically connected and secured with bolts.

The cross-section of the uprights in structural pallet racks is usually H-shaped or C-shaped, which provides greater load-bearing capacity and impact resistance.

Beams

The beams are connected between two uprights and provide the space for storing pallets and goods. Therefore, the strength of the beams largely determines the load-bearing capacity of the rack system.

In structural pallet racks, the beams' cross-sections are usually H-shaped or box-shaped. This design enhances the rack's bending resistance.

Bracing

There are two types of bracing: diagonal braces and horizontal braces. In most cases, these two types of bracing are used together between the front and rear uprights, forming a new component called the upright frame.

The purpose of this is to enhance the stability of the uprights, especially when the rack height is relatively high, making it even more critical.

Base Plates

Base plates are installed at the bottom of the uprights. Their main function is to increase the contact area between the uprights and the floor and to anchor the uprights to the ground.

Safety Accessories

There are also some safety accessories, which you can use based on your specific needs. However, if your budget allows, it's best to use them. These include safety pins, column protectors, back bracing, pallet supports, safety bars, and safety netting.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as the perfect racking system in the world; I still believe that the best racking system is the one that can meet your storage needs. Only after you understand a racking system can you determine whether you truly need it, and that's why I wrote this article.

I hope this article helps you. Finally, if you have any racking procurement needs, feel free to contact us for a free quote!