The structure for Pallet Racking:      1 Frame    2 Beam    3 Base Plate    4 Shim    5 Horizontal Bracing    6 Diagonal Bracing    7 Pallet Support Bar    8 Drum Support     9 Anti-collapse Mesh Guard    10 Upright Protector    11 Frame Protector    12 Steel Shelving    13 Row Spacer     14 Wire Mesh Decking    15 Pallets Back Stop    16 Steel Pallet

Back-To-Back:  In this configuration, pallet racking is installed  back to back. Some major advantages of this are reduced lanes, and the stability to the racking structure, as the bays of racking are tied together with the use of row spacers. See also: Double Deep (below)

Bay:  This is another term used to describe a section of racking or shelving. As in a bay of racking, or a bay of shelving.

Beams:  The horizontal beam determines the size of the bay and holds the load. At GLOBAL, we carry mostly step beams, box beams, square pipe beams, C type of beams, box-nosed type of beams, the size and weight capacity that works best for your individual storage applications.

Box Beams:  Box Beams have no inset step and have 2 flat sides like a box. All load beams typically mount onto an upright frame column with integral rivets or hooks. Some systems utilize an extra clip(safety lock or safety pins) or bolt to lock the beam to the upright.

Carton Flow:  Carton Flow is a pallet racking system also designed for depth space; it uses a slightly inclined roller track that makes pallets or totes move easily along a sloped plane. These systems are also called case flow, gravity flow or dynamic flow racking systems. The pallet flow system often has complex motion and braking systems to control the speed of the moving pallet. 

Cantilever Racking: Cantilever Racking is a specialized form of racking designed for storing long items, such as lumber and piping through the use of arms that are anchored on one end to the racking column, and then protrude outwards at an angle slightly higher than horizontal, to prevent the product from falling off.

Case Flow:  same as Carton Flow above.

D.I.P.S.  This acronym stands for drop in panels, we also called “ Rolled Steel Shelving”,which are used in our pallet racking line of heavy duty shelving

Double Deep: Double Deep rack or Deep-Reach racking is a term used to describe a racking layout that allows pallets to be stored 2-Deep from the aisle. A special "Reach" lift truck or "Deep-Reach" lift truck is required for this.  

Drive In Racking:  With the use of Drive in Racking, forklifts enter into the individual bays of the racking themselves and high density storage can be achieved with 80% less storage space. Does not require the use of a special lift truck; a counter-balanced lift truck can be used.

FIFO:  FIFO is an acronym for First In, First Out. This expression describes the principle of a queue processing technique for product SKU's. Product enters the racking from the rear and removal is done from the front. In other words, the first product added to the queue or position in the racking will be the first one to be removed.

Frames:  In a pallet racking structure, the ends are known as the frames (same as Uprights see below) and they are in turn joined together with the addition of the beams.

Ledged Beams:   Most Ledged Beams, or Step Beams, or Built-In Step Beams are roll formed members with a step along the top inside edge. This step is used to hold any load support components such as safety bars, pallet supports, wire mesh decks or wood decks.

LIFO:  LIFO is an acronym for Last In, First Out. This means that the last product entering the storage racking is the first one to be removed. This is found in Double Deep pallet racking.

Pallet Flow:  Pallet Flow  is a pallet racking system also designed for depth space; it uses a slightly inclined conveyor that makes pallets or totes move easily along a sloped plane. These systems are also called gravity flow or dynamic flow racking systems. The pallet flow system often has complex motion and braking systems to control the speed of the moving pallet. 

Pallet Racking:  Pallet Racking is a material handling storage aid system designed to store pallet loads of material or skid loads of material. Although there are many varieties of pallet rack, all types allow for the storage of palletized materials in horizontal rows with multiple levels in height. Pallet racks are essentially the same as selective racks.  

PDF:  This acronym stands for Portable Document Format, and all the printable forms within our website are created using the PDF format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader V4.0 (or higher) you can the download the Reader only version for free at the Adobe website.

Pick Modules:  In a multi level environment, pick modules are large and complex structures which facilitate the storage and retrieval of loads. Typically essential to large distribution centres, they are a combination of basic pallet racking components, such as uprights and beams, and subcomponents that facilitate the movement of product and inventory control.

PSR:  PSR is an acronym for Pre-Start Health & Safety Review. Please visit the SafeRack website for more in depth coverage of this.

Push Back:  Push Back racking is a racking system that utilizes a series of nested rolling carts that sit on slightly inclined rails. Product is loaded on the top cart and then subsequent carts are exposed for loading by pushing back the loaded cart closest to the aisle. 

Racking:  Racking is a term used to describe a storage structure using frames and beams. It is sometimes referred to as shelving, but the name racking is used where higher weight capacities for product storage are required. Racking is also referred to as Rack or Racks. 

Roll Formed:  Roll Formed is a process that is used to produce storage rack components that make up the uprights of the frames. The uprights are then either welded together to form the finished frames using diagonal and horizontal braces, or they are assembled to produce our bolted racking.

Row Spacers:  Row spacers are sometimes used if uprights are arranged in back-to-back rows; the spacers are mounted between adjacent columns to ensure that the rows are kept straight and to give the pallet racks even more strength and steadiness.

Safety Bars:  Safety Bars (sometimes called cross bars or support bars) are metal channels that assure proper load balance and prevent misplaced pallets from falling through. Safety bars would be used instead of wire decks.

Safety Clips: Also called MSC ( manual safety clip ) These are inserted into the beam brackets so that the beams do not accidently disconnect from the frames. They are typically used in pallet racking, but we recommend they be used in all types of racking, including hand loaded light duty racking. Please note that the stock clips are identified by the red arrows. The rest are available by special request.

Selective Racking:  Selective Racking, Rack or Racks is an effective method of storing pallets one deep from the aisle, while utilizing the vertical space. It is the cheapest, most economical pallet storage solution. This style of racking is readily available at GLOBAL and can free up your valuable floor space.

Shelving:  Shelving is a term that is used to describe a storage unit used in the storage of hand loaded products as opposed to racking which is typically pallets stored with the use of a forklift or other mechanical device. Shelving is generally composed of metal components which create a multi-level shelf system that can support a wide range of materials.

SKU:  The term SKU is an acronym for Stock Keeping Unit. Invariably it is used to describe a particular product in one's stock inventory listing.

Structural Racking:  Structural pallet rack systems are very similar to roll formed pallet rack systems except the horizontal load beams are attached to the uprights with bolts and have much greater weight-bearing capacity. Also,structural pallet racking can be designed into the structure of the building itself, so that the upright columns are simultaneously used to support the roof of the storage facility, in which case the structural pallet rack uprights replace the storage building's vertical support I-beams. This system is a rack supported building.

T & D:  The term T & D is the common acronym for tie and diagonal. (See Roll Formed above) The ties are the horizontal braces welded to the frame, and the diagonals are the braces which are welded diagonally to the frame.

Uprights:  Uprights, or upright Frames (also called upright columns) vary in size and design depending on load requirements, and styles. The most common upright column is produced by roll forming flat coil stock steel into a modified “C” or “Omega” shape with returns. This style is often referred to as open-back roll-formed columns. Holes or slots are punched during manufacturing up and down the column at standard intervals so that the load beams can be mounted into the upright columns. Upright frames can also be constructed utilizing structural C shapes for columns. Structural uprights have an increased weight capacity over roll formed uprights.

VNA:  In a Very Narrow Aisle (VNA) system, pallet racks can be placed closer together than other solutions because they are loaded and unloaded using a special side loading lift truck. This enables aisles to be extremely narrow because the entire lift truck does not need to swing around to access and pick up a pallet.

Wall Spacers:  Until a few years ago, wall spacers were used to tie or anchor the racking uprights to the walls of the buildings. This is now known to be an unsafe practice and we do not condone or sell this product.GLOBAL offers a more safer alternative for single runs of racking. For more information, please call one of our salesmen and they will be happy to explain the other options we have to offer you.

Wire Mesh Decks:  Wire Mesh Decking is commonly used as a safety measure on selective pallet rack to prevent pallets or the products stored on them from falling through the rack structure. Wire mesh decking comes in various thicknesses and mesh dimensions. Wire mesh construction also allows for easy identification of shelf contents and prevents dirt and other debris from accumulating on the shelves because of the holes in the mesh. Most wire mesh decking has U-shaped channel supports, also known as struts, to support the load. With this waterfall decking, the wire mesh extends across the top and down the front of the beam to provide more support, and is more desirable in the marketplace.

Wire mesh decks can also be purchased that fit "inside" the step beam and have no wire mesh hanging over the front or rear of the beam.