Types of Racks in Warehouse

Warehouses often utilize various types of racks to store and organize inventory efficiently.

Warehouses often utilize various types of racks to store and organize inventory efficiently. Here are some common types of racks used in warehouses:

Selective Pallet Racks: These are the most common type of pallet racking system, providing direct access to each pallet stored in the rack. They are versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications, allowing for FIFO (First In, First Out) or LIFO (Last In, First Out) inventory management.

Drive-In and Drive-Through Racks: These racks maximize storage density by allowing forklifts to drive directly into the rack system to retrieve or store pallets. Drive-in racks have one entry and exit point, while drive-through racks have entry and exit points on opposite ends, facilitating better flow-through of inventory.

Push-Back Racks: Push-back racks are designed for high-density storage of palletized goods. Pallets are loaded onto nested carts that slide back along inclined rails within the rack, allowing for multiple pallets to be stored in a single lane. When a pallet is retrieved, the remaining pallets in the lane automatically move forward.

Pallet Flow Racks: Pallet flow racks utilize gravity to move pallets from the loading end to the picking end of the rack. Pallets are loaded onto rollers or wheels and flow down inclined lanes, ensuring FIFO inventory rotation and maximizing storage density.

Cantilever Racks: Cantilever racks are designed for storing long, bulky, or irregularly shaped items such as lumber, pipes, and furniture. They feature horizontal arms that extend outward from vertical columns, providing easy access to stored materials without obstruction from upright supports.

Carton Flow Racks: Carton flow racks are used for storing and picking smaller items in cartons or totes. Gravity-fed rollers or wheels are installed on inclined shelves, allowing cartons to flow from the loading end to the picking end of the rack for easy retrieval.

Mezzanine Racks: Mezzanine racks are installed on elevated platforms or mezzanine floors to maximize vertical space in warehouses. They provide additional storage capacity for palletized goods or shelving systems while allowing for work areas or offices underneath.

Stacking Racks: Stacking racks are portable or stackable racks used for storing pallets or goods that are not suitable for traditional pallet racking systems. They are often used for temporary storage, shipping, or display purposes.

These are just a few examples of the types of racks commonly used in warehouses. The choice of rack depends on factors such as the type of inventory, storage space available, accessibility requirements, and operational preferences.