5 Pallet Racking Types, How To ID Them, And More!(1)

With many different pallet racking types available, you might be a little overwhelmed.

Luckily, you're in the right place. Because in this article, you'll learn:

• The main types of pallet racking systems

• The pros, cons, costs, and applications of each

• How to identify a pallet racking system

• Answers to top pallet racking questions

Let's dive in!

What Is a Selective Racking System?

Selective pallet racking – or single deep racking – is the most common type of warehouse racking.

It's called 'selective racking' because users can access or 'select'pallet loads without having to move other pallets. And it works well with any type of forklift without requiring specialized lift trucks. This makes each pallet in the storage highly visible and easy to access, load, and unload.

Selective racking is the simplest, cheapest, and most common type of pallet racking

Selective pallet racking systems are also inexpensive, based on cost-per-pallet position. But it gives the lowest pallet storage capacity, taking up the most space.

Selective pallet racking is ideal for operations that use a First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory system, store a large number of SKUs, have low inventory turnover, and have high product differentiation.

Pros

• Most popular and easiest-to-find pallet racking system

• Allows direct access to each pallet in the storage

• Lowest cost per square foot

• Allows simple stock management

• No specialty forklifts or trucks required

• Flexibility to allow any product volume, size, or weight for storing a large range of products

• Low risk of material or product damage

Cons

• Lower storage density

• Requires larger aisles for forklifts to maneuver

Applications

• General warehousing with a low number of pallets per SKU

• Storage that requires free access to any pallet, at any time

• Storage that requires picking from pallets at lower levels

• Specific industries include general manufacturing, retail,  fashion and apparel, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals

What Is Double-Deep Pallet Racking?

Double deep racking – also called double reach racking – is a form of selective racking that uses two rows deep for racking storage instead of one row.

It's an adaptation of a selective pallet racking system, modified to increase storage capacity.

Double-deep pallet racking requires material handling equipment capable of reaching far enough into the racking

But it's only ideal for Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) inventory systems and applications with multiples of the same stock.

Pros

• Higher storage density because of double-deep storage

• Cost-effective

• Supports storage with multiple units of the same stock

Cons

• Reduced pick selectivity

• It may require a specialty double-reach forklift for picking,      which may add cost if it isn’t part of your current fleet

• Only supports Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) inventory systems

Applications

• General warehousing with many pallets per SKU

• When greater storage density is required

• Retail with First-In, First-Out (FIFO) inventory management

• General manufacturing

• Food and beverage

What Is Drive-In Racking?

Drive-in pallet racking is a high-density storage system with a single aisle for the entry and exit of forklifts to load or retrieve materials.

Pallets are loaded and retrieved from the rack's front side, and forklifts drive directly into the racks, place or pick up the material and drive off. This eliminates the need for walking/working aisles.

It works best in Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) operations, where the last pallet loaded becomes the first pallet accessible and out. This creates a more dense load and storage.

Pros

• Increases pallet positions for higher-density storage

• Requires less warehouse space

• Provides control over warehouse entry and exit

• Minimizes aisles widths

Cons

• Reduced pick selectivity

• High chances of impacts between forklifts and racking (greater      damage potential)

• Doesn’t support a wide variety of inventory

• Isn’t ideal for high inventory turnover

• Works best with uniform load and pallet sizes

Applications

• General warehousing and retail with low product rotation

• When you don’t want to mix SKUs within each racking bay/lane

• When you want high-density storage (without the honeycombing effect)

• When types of goods require a staging of received or picked goods

• Storage of non-perishable products or those with no early expiry date

• Storage of products whose value isn't affected by storage times (longer or shorter)