So, what type of storage, do you REALLY need?

The short answer? There is no short answer! There are so many depending factors! A few of these include:

How much you are willing to spend

How much floor space you have

How high your ceilings are

How often do you need access to the pallets

What type of handling truck are you using

FILO/FIFO/LIO?

Does your product have a shelf life

….. and sooooooo many more questions!

Once you have an understanding of your requirements you can look at the common types of product storage and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Floor Stacking – Floor stacking is the most basic method of pallet storage in which pallets are placed on the floor in rows. Depending on accessibility requirements, the rows can be as deep as available floor space allows. Pallets can also be stacked if the pallet is capable of supporting a load. This is typically a LIFO (last in, first out) system.

Advantages: No investment in equipment, High storage density

Disadvantages: Poor accessibility to individual pallets, Occupies a large amount of floor space

Selective Pallet Rack – Selective pallet racking is the most common type of pallet storage used today. Selective rack uses uprights and a pair of cross beams to create a “shelf” for storing a pallet. Depending on the height of your pallet and ceiling, selective rack systems typically have multiple levels (shelves) per bay. A bay is typically only one pallet deep, although two-deep systems are also a possibility.

Advantages: Low investment compared to more dense storage solutions, Accessibility to all pallets, FIFO or LIFO

Disadvantages: Low storage density due to aisles between rows of rack, Drive-In and Drive-Through Pallet Rack

Drive-in racking – This is a type of storage system that allows fork trucks to drive directly into a bay. Pallets rest on side rails rather than cross beams, which leaves the face of the bay open. The uprights are typically tied together at the top of the upright to add rigidity to the system. The only difference between drive-in and drive-through racks is whether there is an entrance at only one end (drive-in) or both ends (drive-through).

This style of rack is commonly 6-8 pallets deep per bay. Fork trucks elevate a load to the proper level and load it in the back of the system first. The second pallet will be placed in the second position from the back and continue until a lane is full. Drive-in racks are LIFO, while drive-through racks are typically FIFO. This type of system is best suited for storing a large quantity of pallets of the same product.

Advantages: High storage density, Lower cost than a flow rack system

Disadvantages: Poor accessibility to all pallets, Rack often gets damaged since fork trucks drive inside the system

Pallet Flow Rack System – This type of racking uses uprights and cross beams to support a gravity roller conveyor within the rack. The rollers are pitched slightly, so pallets will naturally flow toward the front of the system. When a pallet is unloaded from the front of the system, the next pallet in line moves forward to the exit position. Similar to drive-in racks, this type of system is best suited for storing a large quantity of pallets of the same product. Pallet flow rack systems are FIFO.

Advantages: High storage density, Can be stored 20+ pallets deep, No need to drive inside the racking system

Disadvantages: Poor accessibility to all pallets, Highest investment when compared to the other storage options

Push Back Pallet Rack – Push back racks are similar to flow rack, except the pallets are loaded and unloaded from the front of the system. The pallets can rest on either nested carts or gravity rollers. Pallets are loaded into the system by placing the inbound pallet against the pallet in the exit position and pushing it back into the lane.

Advantages: High storage density, Only one aisle is needed for loading/unloading

Disadvantages: Poor accessibility to all pallets, Can only be stored 4-5 lanes deep

If you find yourself in need of additional floor space, I hope these pallet storage options give you some guidance, but don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01388 779111 or send us an email to [email protected]!

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