Racking and Shelving | Efficient Storage Solutions

Racking and shelving - pallet racking - ATC Installations

ATC are experts in bespoke Shelving and Racking systems

Shelving (often called ‘industrial shelving’) is a system of storing products that are manually retrieved by hand. For example, if your operations are where people need to pick products off the shelves.

Shelving can be constructed from any type of material (although metal is most often used) and can be any height. Some people think shelving has to be under a specific height to be classified as shelving, but this isn’t the case.

Shelving can have a closed back or an open back. While an open back means warehouse operatives can grab items from any direction. Shelving can also be provided with a backing mesh, which closes the shelves in, (otherwise known as anti-collapse) which makes for a safer environment and is very durable.

What is racking?

Racking (often called ‘pallet racking’) is a system of storing products that need to be retrieved by a forklift, order picker or a similar machine. These products are typically very heavy and/or irregularly sized, or stored in bulk on a pallet.

Racking is made of extremely heavy-duty and like shelving it can be constructed from any type of material and can be any height. However in our experience, most racking tends to be taller and deeper than shelving.

Helpful hint *Shelving is ideal for products that need to be accessed by hand, while racking is ideal for products that need to be accessed by machines like forklift trucks*.

We are experts in our field, providing services to retail, office and public sectors for over 22 years

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FAQs

Racking can also come supplied in or with the following systems:

Conventional
Pallet Shuttle (semi-automatic for easing loading and unloading)
Movirack Mobile racking
Push bank racking
Cantilever racking

If you are not sure which product you require, contact us on the details below to discuss your requirements

To establish which shelving would be best suited to you, we would …..

First, determine the total width of shelving area i.e. the length of side-by-side space you’ll use for storage.
Next, factor in the dimensions of the goods to be stored; its width, depth and height.
Determine the average weight of the products to be stored. Note that the weight each shelf will bear is based on the weight and number of products on each shelf.

We would then consider which system to use from the information above

Archive shelving allows users store large amounts of files and boxes. These shelves can be used to store related documents together making document management much easier.

Industrial shelving (heavy/medium duty shelving) is considered the most ubiquitous shelving available as it can carry items of all shapes and sizes.

Shelving is best suited for items that require manual access, whereas racking is designed for items that necessitate machine access, such as with forklift trucks. Contact us today, and we can discuss your specific needs to help you choose the appropriate system for your business.

As a general guideline, a competent individual should conduct inspections at intervals not exceeding 12 months. A written report should be submitted to the ‘Person Responsible for Racking Safety’ (PRRS), detailing observations and proposing any necessary actions. Regular rack inspections will be performed from ground level unless there are indications of issues at levels that require investigation.

ATC can arrange a SEMA inspection at your premises to review your layout and systems. Please contact us for a quote or if you have further questions.

Once your SEMA report has been issued, ATC will contact you to address the identified issues and discuss any necessary work to rectify the highlighted areas.

Staircases

Whatever your staircase is to be used for, you can be sure that ATC will have a suitable solution. Staircases are not only functional, but can add aesthetic value to your new space, it may be that your new staircase is your daily means of access or better still, a statement piece!

Load Pallet Gates

A pallet gate limits the dangers involved in moving pallets around your factory or mezzanine, ensuring a barrier always exists between the user and any potential fall hazard!

Edge Protection

Edge Protection is an anti-fall system for platforms which are above ground level. Mezzanine floor edge protection is installed to secure any exposed edges along the perimeters of the elevated floor surface and stairway, forming a barrier between the safety of the platform and the drop over the edge.