What Is Drive In Racking And Is It The Ideal Solution For Your Facility

The none-conventional drive in racking system is often found in warehouses and other storage facilities that store large volumes of the same product types. Configured to provide optimal use of floor space drive in racking provides high compact storage and can utilise up to 85% of the floor surface area.

Drive In Racking System Design And Appearance

When compared to standard wide aisle pallet racking the drive in racking structure is highly dense with a more compact appearance. Within the cubic framework you’ll notice multiple deep running lanes positioned side by side without an access aisle between them. The only aisle that is required will be positioned across the front of the structure to allow access to all lanes. The lane spaces are deep and tall without obstruction of horizontal beams running across between the upright frames, forming a channel like resemblance. This makes drive in racking quite distinct when compared to a typical warehouse pallet racking system where pallets rest on pallet shelving formed by horizontal beams. Instead the pallets rest on supported rails fitted along the uprights which run the length of the lane.

How Does Drive In Racking Work?

The drive in racking rails have a ledge-like appearance on which the pallet sits and is supported on both sides to ensure stability and balance. To load a pallet, the operator drives the fork lift truck into the lane and places the pallet on the rails. Pallets are stored in a stacking format, working their way from back to front and bottom to top. The drive in racking system works on the first-in last-out (FILO) basis however there is opportunity to adopt the first-in first-out (FIFO) method simply by adding an access aisle on the other side. These aisles would run parallel with one another with one used to load pallets and the other to retrieve them. This configuration is known as drive through racking and although adding another aisle means slightly less storage it still offers high density storage with the advantage of assisted stock rotation making it an ideal solution for perishable goods.

Drive In Racking Components

Drive in racking framework is composed using a number of braced vertical uprights which form the lanes with tie beams with bracing fitted horizontally across the top. The welded base plates provide the structure with stability whilst the guide rails running the length of the lanes are fitted at ground level to prevent collision from the fork lift truck. Pallet rails are fitted to the uprights at each level and these run parallel with the guide rails along the length of the lane. In addition, brackets are fitted to support the pallet rails which in turn support the pallets. At the front of the pallet rails are pallet guides to help guide the operator as they load pallets preventing bumps and knocks from pallets. At the rear of the pallet rails are pallet stops which ensure the pallets cannot be dangerously positioned over the edge of the railing rear.

Drive In Racking Advantages:

•      If floor space is limited, drive in racking can help you achieve optimal use of space by utilising up to 85% of your floor space as well as making the most of your height space at the same time.

•      As a compact configuration this system can help make huge savings on energy consumption, particularly for those storing goods in chilled or frozen chambers making drive in racking a great contributor to an eco-friendly warehouse

•      A drive in racking system offers high density storage for similar product types in large volumes and low turnover

•      The installation is uncomplicated and adjustments such as changing the pallet rail levels can be later made to support any change in storage requirements

•      This system can be installed to work alongside other storage and pallet racking systems

•      If stock rotation is a priority, the drive through racking configuration can be adopted where the structure is accessed from two entry aisles rather than just one to enforce the FIFO method.

•      If your facility currently operates using a standard fork lift truck, there is no need to invest in new handling equipment as drive in racking is suitable to most fork lift truck types.

•      The compact storage configuration lowers the cost per pallet

Drive In Racking Disadvantages:

•      Not suited to multiple individual product types

•      Visibility and direct access is limited to the pallets facing the front only.

•      Works on the FILO method so doesn’t assist stock rotation and although the FIFO method can be adopted this does mean compromising a little of your storage capacity.

•      Access is gained by entering the structure using a fork lift truck which means extra care must be taken by the operator

Could Drive In Racking Be Applied To Your Facility?

Drive in racking could be your ideal solution if:

•      Your warehouse space is limited and your looking to drastically increase storage capacity without the need to extended the building or relocate

•      You store high number of pallets containing homogeneous inventory of low turnover

•      Stock rotation is none essential

•      Inventory is chilled or frozen and your looking to drive down energy consumption and improve your carbon footprint

•      Direct access to every single pallet is not a requirement

If you’re unsure as to whether drive in pallet racking is the right solution for your operation, speak to our team today.