Shelf racks
Buying Tips
- Quick and simple boltless assembly
- Corrosion-resistant thanks to galvanised metal frame
- Height-adjustable chipboard shelves
Shelf racks for industry, warehouses, and workshops
Warehouse racking is ideal for storing small and medium-sized stored goods. Expandable storage racks can be individually adapted and offer versatile storage solutions. With our buying guide, you can find the right shelving unit for your needs. Keep reading to find out more.
1. What are shelf racks and what advantages do they offer?
Shelf racks are heavy-duty shelving units particularly versatile for use in warehouses, workshops, or salesrooms. Small and medium-sized items such as sales goods, accessories, storage containers or tools can be clearly and safely stored on steel shelf racks. Depending on the model, shelving units can support loads of up to 500 kg.
Shelf racks consist of a base bay that can be used as standalone storage but can also be extended with one or more add-on bays and matching shelves. In this way, shelving units can be adapted to almost any space and can be extended as required. Particularly in warehouses with a high turnover rate or when the expected warehouse load is not yet known, shelf racks are an ideal option for making the best possible use of the available space.
Industrial shelf racks offer the following advantages and disadvantages:
- Can be fitted with mesh baskets, stacking bins or with open fronted storage bins
- Can be used on one or both sides
- Free access to the stored goods possible
- Simple assembly with screw or plug-in system (depending on model)
- Suitable for storage according to the first in, first out (FIFO) principle
- Only manual order picking possible (no palletising, automated operation, order picking with forklift trucks etc.)
- Comparatively large storage area required
- No storage of Euro pallets possible
- Lower load capacity compared to other heavy-duty racks
2. How to find the right warehouse racking system
To ensure that the shelving fits your warehouse or storage needs, there are some important criteria to consider when choosing individual components.
Bay type
In our online shop you will find both basic shelving bays and matching add-on units for existing racking:
- Complete shelf upright with shelves
- Depending on the model, also with cross braces for stable standing
- Can be erected and used as an independent shelf unit
- Can be extended with add-on bays, shelves, and accessories
- Single sided upright with shelves
- For extension to existing base bay to form single or double sided, free standing or wall mounted shelving units
- Cannot be used as an independent shelf unit
Load capacity
The load capacity of shelf racks depends on the material thickness of the shelves, the material of the upright and the strength of the connecting elements. The base and add-on shelves are usually made of robust, galvanised steel. Shelves made of tubular steel or galvanised quality sheet metal can withstand even heavy loads, provided the load is distributed evenly.
Additional features such as beams, diagonal bracing on the back or steel panels on the shelves can further increase the load-bearing capacity of warehouse racking. You can determine whether your desired shelving unit has the right load-bearing capacity using two values:
- Shelf load: The maximum permissible weight with which a single shelf or a continuous shelf level can be loaded.
- Bay load: The permissible maximum weight with which the entire shelf bay (basic or add-on bay) can be loaded (without its own weight).
Please note: The permissible bay load may be less than the sum of the individual bay loads. Nevertheless, the specified maximum bay load must not be exceeded. Therefore, always include both values in your purchase decision.
Shelf racking system
Racking is available as both bolt-on and boltless shelves with plug-in systems. The great advantage of both versions is that they can be assembled comparatively quickly and easily extended with matching add-on bays, shelves, and other accessories. Nevertheless, when choosing a suitable shelving unit, it may make sense to choose one of the two assembly systems:
- Frame and shelves are firmly screwed together via angle profile frames
- Tools required
- Angle profile and shelves are firmly connected with screws
- Fixed storage locations without regular changes
- Cost-effective storage equipment
- Parts and shelves are plugged into each other in T-profile frames
- No tools necessary
- For shelving units accessible from one side: by cross braces on the back side
- For shelving units accessible from both sides: by using long bolts which are plugged in
- Flexible or temporary storage
Regardless of the assembly system, all warehouse storage racks have punched holes in the frame elements so that shelves can be inserted in 25 mm increments. So, although bolt-down shelving offers less flexibility in terms of conversion options, shelves can still be adapted to the stored goods.
Access
The warehouse shelf racks available from our shop can be set up with one-sided or two-sided access to stored goods. Depending on the goods to be stored, the storage strategy and the size and division of the storage space, both or only one of the access options can be useful:
- Ideal for wall installation
- With wall bolting if required
- Bracing with cross-bracing for particularly stable stand
- Plug-in or screw system
- First in - Last out
- Wall installation possible on one end face or completely free-standing
- Plug-in or screw system
- First in – First out
Accessories
The warehouse storage shelves in our range are ready for use immediately after assembly. However, with our rack accessories for shelving units, you have a wide range of options for adapting your warehouse storage to suit your industry. You can supplement your storage shelving with:
- Wall and floor mounting: Mounting shelves increases the stability of the shelving
- Shelf dividers: The shelf racks can also be used as complex storage systems for different goods
- Shelving accessories for heavy-duty shelving: Label holders, signs and other labelling options help you keep an overview, especially in large warehouses
- Shelves for shelving systems: With additional shelves, you can expand the storage space within the shelving system - without having to increase the floor space. However, always observe the permissible bay load of the shelving. Suitable shelves are displayed with each shelving unit in the shop
- Storage bins: Open fronted storage bins, mesh baskets or stacking bins allow you to make optimum use of the space per shelf compartment and protect the stored goods from dust, dirt, or moisture
Under certain circumstances, it may also be required by law that warehouse racking solutions must be equipped with impact protection. We offer various impact protection products for different shelf legs and corners.