Drive-In Pallet Racking – Is it right for your Warehouse?

Getting the right pallet racking system for your warehouse requires careful thought and consideration. It’s important to get the right type of racking, so that you can make sure your goods are stored correctly.

Warehouses need to think about what sort of use the racking will be put to, what products will be stored, and then consider whether they would prefer to buy new shelving sections or would be satisfied with reconditioned pallet racking.

You also need to consider whether the sizing of the pallet racking they wish to purchase is suitable for the weight loads it will carry. Larger warehouses, or those with a large amount of pallet stock, might also consider whether their facility is big enough and suitable for a pallet racking system.

In our recent blogs we have been looking at the different types of racking available. This week was are focussing on Drive-In racking. It’s advantages and disadvantages to help you decide if it is the best choice for your needs.

Space Advantage of Drive-in Pallet Racking Systems

One of the most important advantages of using a drive in pallet racking system is that it makes better use of space.

Drive in pallet racking utilises 60-80% more warehouse space than a standard adjustable pallet racking system. It achieves this by removing the need for feed corridors.

Looking at this sort of racking system would be ideal if you have a large number of pallets that need storing in a small warehouse area.

Drive in Pallet Racking is designed for pallets which are slow moving or have a long storage history: in other words, where instant accessibility is not really an important factor: for instance cold storage or facilities where products are transported in batches.

Last in First Out

Drive In racking operates on a Last In First Out (LIFO) system. The first pallets added to the racking are stored right at the back and cannot be accessed until the front pallets have been removed.

This means that Drive-in racking is not suitable for facilities which will need access to older stock regularly.

Common Uses of the Drive-In System

Although the drive-in pallet rack system is good for many warehouses, it is not a perfect fit for every warehouse application. Some of the most common uses for drive-in pallet rack storage systems include:

• Small amount of SKUs
• Slow moving products
• Storage freezers
• Product storage that is not time-sensitive

Drive-In Pallet Racking Installation

Drive in pallet rack systems can be designed to store anywhere from 2 to 10 pallets deep per pallet position. During Installation of a drive-in pallet racking system each rack should be individually adjusted and lined up to make sure the entire system is level.

Each row of racking consists of support bars connected to the rack which the pallets sit on: these bars are designed to take specific sized pallets of a certain weight. Pallets are stacked from the bottom up, first the ground floor pallet up to the top followed by the next row.

As each aisle is a little larger than the pallet size, a guide rail is installed to ensure the forklift or reach truck does not touch the racking system and potentially damage it. These guide rails are usually made from 10mm steel or installed as a wire guidance system.

Talk to the Experts

If you’re curious about how a drive in rack system can help maximize your warehouse or distribution center space, contact one of our pallet rack design specialists.

Visit the racking section of the Monarch Shelving website, or contact us on 01706 880355/ 01706 880462.