We’re here to help…
At Allstore, we’re committed to helping our clients to get the most
out of their storage solutions and warehouse equipment in order to secure
them competitive advantage. By taking the time to understand our customers’
business needs, we are able to design bespoke solutions that maximise
the potential of their warehouse space and resources.
Browse through our list of FAQs below and don’t hesitate to contact
us with any specific questions you may have.
How wide should my racking aisles be?
Which pallet racking layout is right for me?
Is pre-owned racking a safe option?
Can you dismantle and remove my old racking?
What permissions do I need to install a mezzanine floor?
Do you sell material handling equipment?
How wide should
my racking aisles be?
The width of the aisles in a warehouse has a critical effect on its storage
capacity and space utilisation. The answer to this question depends on
the storage capacity you need to achieve within your warehouse and, if
you have existing handling equipment, what type of trucks you are using.
Some fork-lift trucks require more space to operate than others and that
means wider aisles. Standard counterbalanced trucks (yard trucks) generally
operate in aisles wider than 3.4m. Narrow Aisle trucks – such as
reach trucks – operate in aisles about 2.8m wide. Very Narrow Aisle
(VNA) trucks, however, work in aisles less than 2.1m wide, often using
wire, rail or optical guidance systems. Generally, the narrower the aisle
width, the more expensive the fork-lift truck required to service it but
the greater the storage capacity for any given racking footprint.
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Which pallet racking
layout is right for me?
The most common type of racking layout is selective,
which gives instant access to each stock-keeping unit (SKU) from aisles
each side of the racking. With double-deep
racking, pallets are stored two deep and accessed from the same aisle
using trucks with extending forks. Reducing the number of aisles allows
up to 33% additional storage capacity over conventional selective pallet
racks. However, your pallets are now handled according to LIFO (last in,
first out). An extension of this concept is push-back
racking, which uses wheeled carriers on each beam level to store pallet
loads in LIFO format up to five deep. Loads are accessed by a standard
truck, with each pick face having its own SKU, and this system gives up
to 75% more storage capacity compared to conventional selective racking.
With drive-in racking, loads are stored on
runners in the depth of the racking for very high density storage. The
first pallet in each lane is the last pallet out, so this system is best
suited to loads stored as batches. In pallet live
storage systems, loads are stored in lanes of inclined gravity
rollers, allowing the next load to roll down when the pallet at the pick
face is retrieved. Replenishment stock is loaded into the system at the
other end of each lane, making this a dynamic FIFO (first in, first out)
system with extremely high storage density. The ideal solution for the
safe storage of long and heavy loads – such as timber, steel stock
or carpet rolls – is cantilever
racking. Often, a large warehouse will need a mix of these
racking types to suit its various operations.
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Is pre-owned
racking a safe option?
It can be a safe and economical option, but – as with any used equipment
– you must take precautions before making a purchase. Only buy pre-owned
racking if you know its history from new. Beware of racking described
as ‘refurbished’, as this may simply mean that the rust has
been painted over! Most importantly, only buy second-hand racking if it
has been kept inside; rust can be an issue if it has been kept outside
for any period of time, affecting the load-carrying capacity. A good indication
of the quality of the racking is whether the supplier will put SEMA load
notices on it. Also, remember to check that new spares are still available
for repairs. Finally, compare the cost with the price for new –
the difference might be less than you would think! All pre-owned equipment
supplied by Allstore is checked for structural damage or deformities,
as well as for suitability for your products and your operational needs.
Rack loading boards are supplied to ensure that the system is not overloaded
and installation is undertaken in line with the SEMA code of practice.
Can you
dismantle and remove my old racking?
We are happy to dismantle and remove your existing racking, shelving and
mezzanine floor systems; we may even be able to offer you a buy back value
for them, depending on their condition and specification.
What permissions
do I need to install a mezzanine floor?
In most cases, planning permission is not necessary, although you should
check any conditions attached to your building’s original planning
consent. You will, however, need building regulation approval but we can
prepare the necessary drawings and arrange this for you. If you have a
landlord, you will also need to obtain his approval before commencing
any building work. Generally, storage mezzanines do not affect the rateable
value of a building but mezzanines used for administrative purposes may
do.
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Do you sell material
handling equipment?
No, we don’t but, with many years’ experience in the industry,
we are happy to make recommendations of trusted suppliers to you.
