Industrial Rack

An industrial rack is a heavy-duty shelving unit designed for storing materials or products in industrial environments. Unlike decorative shelves, industrial racks are engineered for functionality and strength, allowing storage of large, heavy items. They often form part of a storage system in factories or warehouses. The term may refer to pallet racks, boltless shelving, or similar storage frames.

Types of Industrial Racks

Industrial racks come in various formats:

Selective Pallet Racks: Upright frames with horizontal load beams for storing pallets or containers directly. These provide direct access to each pallet.

Boltless (Clip) Shelving: Framed units with adjustable shelves (e.g. slotted angle racks, rivet shelving) for smaller items.

Cantilever Racks: Horizontal arms extending from vertical columns for storing long items (pipes, lumber).

Multi-Tier/Multi-Level Racks: Racks built up in levels, sometimes with mezzanine floors between them to use vertical space.

Drive-In/Drive-Through Racks: Deep racks where forklifts drive into bays to store pallets on rails (sacrifices selectivity for high density).

Applications in Various Industries

Industrial racks are used for storage and organization in:

Warehousing and Distribution: Bulk storage of goods, parts, and pallets for inventory management.

Manufacturing Plants: Raw materials and work-in-progress storage on the shop floor.

Retail and Grocery Backroom: Storing merchandise in storerooms.

Automotive: Storing tires, engine parts, and components.

Aerospace/Defense: Securing high-value or heavy items in inventory.

Document Archives: Heavy-duty file racks (in data centers or archives) often use industrial rack concepts.

Material Selection Considerations

Industrial racks must support heavy loads and resist wear:

• Structural Steel: The frames and load beams are made of high-strength steel (often cold-rolled or hot-rolled sections) with a high yield strength. For example, mild steel or S235/S275 grades are common.
• Finish Coating: Powder coating or galvanizing is typically applied to protect from corrosion and provide a clean appearance. In food or chemical plants, racks may be stainless steel.
• Decking/Shelves: In pallet racks, decking can be steel wire mesh, steel decks, or wood boards. Selected to handle the expected weight (often several hundred kg per shelf).
• Fasteners: High-tensile bolts and connectors. Welded connections are also used on heavy-duty frames.