For decades, pallet racks assumed a vital role in maximizing the storage capacities of distribution centers and warehouses. Part of the design for these industrial pallet racks is the selection of the right rack decking. The rack decking serves as the base used for storing non-palletized items and cases.
By increasing the contact points between the storage media and the stored products, decking decreases the chance of having products fall. As a result, the safety of the warehouse is maintained.
In reality, not all wire mesh decking solutions are created similarly. Compared to other decking solutions, wire decking is more preferred because of its versatility.
Wire Decking and Its Benefits
There is a good reason behind the people’s preference for wire decking. Some of these reasons include the following:
- Superior strength: Advanced wire decking can carry more than 2,500 pounds.
- Easy installation: If you’re installing a wire deck, you do not need tools to set it up. All you have to do is to drop these deckings in place and flush them with the beams.
- Safe: The minimal surface area of the wire mesh can immensely reduce the dirt and debris that accumulate compared to steel or wood decking. As such, it can also decrease the frequency of routine cleaning mandated by local safety laws. There is no need for in-rack protection systems in case of fire as the water from the fire sprinklers can be collected in the mesh.
Choosing Wire Mesh Decking
If you believe that wire decking is the right choice for your distribution center or warehouse, you have to choose which option will serve you best. Here are some things you need to consider when selecting a wire decking.
What will you be storing?
In selecting a decking, the dimensions and weight of the product that you will be storing are essential considerations. Unless mainly designed for a specific purpose, wire deckings are not made to support the pallet’s full weight. If you fail to consider the weight, the decking might collapse or warp under pressure. If the overall weight of the stored products exceeds the capacity of the wire decking, you create a huge safety risk.
What is the purpose of the decking?
Will you be stacking loose cases, full pallets, or special equipment? Pallet racking can store all these. However, you have to consider the overall purpose of your decking during the designing phase.
A very common purpose of wire decking is proper case storage. Companies call this as “hand stack.” Typically, the grid densities are 2.5 inches by 4.5 inches or 2 inches by 4 inches. If you intend to use your wire decking as a hand stack, you have to take note of the increasing wire mesh grid density.
When you intend to use it for “hand stacking,” know that the grid size should be 1 inch by 4 inches or 1 inch by 2 inches. There are design enhancements that can be fused into wire mesh decking to tackle your specific needs.
Though selecting the right decking for your specific storage racks seem easy and straightforward, there are some considerations that you have to check out. After choosing the right decking type, you also need to consider the entire application. Through this, you can ensure that you’re getting the best decking solution for your facility.
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