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Welcome To Shelving & Racking Limited

Shelving & Racking Limited are the UK's largest buyer, stockists and trade suppliers of new pallet racking, used pallet racking, warehouse racking, storage racking systems, industrial shelving, longspan shelving, steel shelving and warehouse storage equipment such as industrial cupboards, specialist cabinets and lockers.

Shelving & Racking Limited specialise in:

If you want to get in touch to discuss your shelving and racking requirements, you can call us on 0800 612 3210 or use our enquiry form.

Used Pallet Racking

Causes of Unsafe Pallet Racking


As we start a new year, is maintaining your pallet racking on your to-do list? It is essential to understand the factors that can lead to unsafe conditions and take preventative measures. This blog examines reasons for pallet racking issues and provides strategies for maintaining a safe warehouse environment. Let’s explore some of the leading causes of unsafe pallet racking and see if we can help you to prevent any of this happening in your warehouse.

Why Pallet Racking Become Unsafe?

Efficient warehouse management relies on secure pallet racking systems for storing substantial quantities of goods. However, without proper maintenance, these systems can pose common hazards. Here are some of the leading causes of unsafe pallet racking:

Insufficient training:

Inadequately trained employees are more prone to causing accidents when working with or around pallet racking. Ensure your staff receives thorough training before engaging with these systems. 

Lack of maintenance:

Regular inspection and maintenance are vital for preventing damage to warehouse racking solutions. Consistently check for signs of wear and tear, creating a repair list to address any issues promptly.

Overloading:

Exceeding the loading capacities of pallet racking beams is dangerous and can cause damage to your racking and your stock and cause injury or death in the event of a collapse.  Implement load notices to guide staff in distributing loads across beams within the specified capacity.

Damaged or missing locking pins:

Locking pins (beam locks) play a crucial role in keeping pallet racking safe by preventing beams being accidentally dislodged . Damaged or missing locking pins can compromise the safety of the racking. Make sure that all locking pins are present and correctly fitted. contact us if you need to buy replacements.

Worn out parts:

Continuous use can lead to wear and tear in moving parts of some mobile racking systems, increasing the risk of collapse or failure. Regular safety inspections are essential to identify and address potential issues, including rust and corrosion.

Incorrect Use:

Using pallet racking for purposes other than supporting evenly distributed loads can lead to hazardous situations. Ensure proper weight distribution and adherence to load capacities to prevent accidents and always refer back to your supplier if you are changing the layout of your racking including adding, removing or altering beam levels. 

Improper installation:

Inadequately installed pallet racking poses a significant danger. Hiring a professional for proper installation is vital for ensuring the stability and safety of your racks, especially when fully loaded.

Understanding these potential risks and taking proactive measures is crucial for maintaining a secure warehouse environment. Prioritise the safety of your employees by addressing these common leading causes of unsafe pallet racking.

Prevention:

Book annual rack inspections using a qualified SARI inspector get in touch here 

Ensure you have installed column guards and barriers to prevent damage from fork trucks and other handling equipment

Ensure you have the correct signage in your warehouse.

SEMA provide a Rack Safety Awareness Course for the routine, regular inspection of your own company’s racking.

If any of the above are on your list and you require any pallet racking components please contact us on 0800 612 3210 to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, or you can contact us by email sales@racking.ltd.

How to Measure & Identify Your Pallet Racking


If you are adding to an existing pallet racking system, it is essential that you know exactly what you have so we can match it correctly and ensure that the racking you order matches your existing system. There are a huge number of different pallet racking manufacturers on the market and the separate components come in a wide range of weight capacities and sizes.   Call us on 0800 6123210 and speak to one of our sales team or send us an email with details of what you need.

So what is the best way to identify and measure your pallet racking?

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into measurements, it’s crucial to identify the pallet racking system that you have. There are many manufacturers and we stock a wide range from Dexion, Apex, Link 51, Redirack, Hilo and Stow to name a few. None of these systems are compatible with each other so it is important to make sure that you correctly identify your racking. On our website we have a useful Identify My Racking page to help you if you are unsure of the system you have. If you cannot identify your racking you can send us an email to sales@racking.ltd with an image and we will be happy to assist you further.

Measuring 

Beam Width (Bay Width):

    • Measure from the inside of one upright to the inside of the opposite pallet racking upright. This measurement is often called the ‘clear entry’ or ‘bay width’ – Measurement A on the diagram below.
    • The choice of bay width often depends on the size of your pallets. Typical sizes are 2700mm and 3300mm, but can be customised to your businesses needs.
    • Understanding the total load per pair of beams, known as the Safe Working Load (SWL) or Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL). For instance, if two pallets on a single beam level weigh up to 1000kgs each, your SWL/UDL will need to be 2000kgs.

Frame Height and Depth:

    • Measure the full frame height from the top of the frame to the bottom.
    • Measure the full frame depth from the outside of the front upright post to the outside of the rear upright post.
    • We will determine the correct frame duty based on factors such as the load on the beams, the number of beam levels, and the height of the first beam level.

Contact us on 0800 612 3210 to discuss your storage needs or to get advice on measuring and identifying racking components. Alternatively, or you can contact us by email sales@racking.ltd.

A Guide To Pallet Rack Decking


Pallet racking systems keep warehouses organised, and they become even better with pallet racking decking. Pallet rack decking boosts storage capacity and ensures stability and safety for different items. In this guide, we’ll cover various decking types, their benefits, and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Understanding Pallet Racking Decking

Pallet racking decking serves as an added platform or shelf that slots into your pallet racking system’s beams. This additional level expands your storage options, enabling the safe storage of items that aren’t suitable for directly placing on pallets. This increases the versatility of your racking system, making it capable of accommodating a wider range of goods. There are various types of decking, each designed to accommodate different types of goods and provide specific advantages.

Types of Pallet Racking Decking

Chipboard Decking: chipboard decking provides a solid and even surface for storing goods. This decking type is well-suited for storing non-palletised items, cartons, and individual products. It’s cost-effective and easy to install but may not be suitable for very heavy loads or very deep bays as it can tend to sag over time if not supported properly.

Timber Decking: our timber decking is available in open or closed boarded designs, and is made from wooden boards. It fits neatly onto the horizontal beams of a pallet racking system, providing a strong, level surface for storing goods. Timber decking is a versatile and cost-effective option, and is available in various thicknesses.  It is a great option for storing heavy items.

Wire Mesh Decking: wire mesh decking is a popular choice for pallet racking systems. It consists of a grid of wire panels that provide excellent support and visibility. This type of decking is ideal for fire safety compliance, as it allows water to pass through in the event of a fire. It’s also suitable for storing pallets, cartons, and various other items. Extremely suitable if your warehouse deals with food or pharmaceutical products because of its hygiene benefits.

Solid Steel Decking: is commonly used for long span shelving but we can have manufactured panels for pallet racking too.  It is hard-wearing and easy to clean down making it suitable for storing medical and food grade items.

Benefits of Pallet Racking Decking

  • Enhanced Storage: decking provides additional storage space for non-palletised items, maximising your racking system’s capacity.
  • Improved Safety: decking creates a stable and even surface for storing items, reducing the risk of products falling or becoming damaged.
  • Versatility: different types of decking cater to various storage needs, allowing you to store a wide range of items.
  • Fire Compliance: wire mesh decking allows water to pass through in case of a fire, meeting fire safety regulations.

Choosing the Right Decking

To select the right pallet racking decking for your needs, consider the types of items you’ll be storing, your storage environment, and any safety and compliance requirements. If you’re unsure, contact our Sales Team today and we can help you choose the most suitable decking for your warehouse needs.

Why Do You Need Longspan Shelving?


What is Longspan Shelving?

Longspan Shelving is the perfect solution for the storage of small to medium-sized non-palletised products, making it ideal for organising and accessing hand-picked items. It works in the same way as pallet racking and looks very similar with frames and beams, the only significant difference is the chipboard shelving that sits between the beams.

Our AR QuickSpan shelving is extremely versatile and comes in a variety of sizes. We offer frame heights from 2000mm to 5000mm with a wide range of bays and shelf depths. Beams range from 950mm to 2700mm and can accommodate heavy loading capacities.

Our longspan shelving can be customised to meet your business needs by choosing from a selection of shelving options. You can choose from chipboard, mesh, or steel decking individually or a combination to meet your specific business requirements.

This shelving is versatile and comes with a variety of accessories to suit any businesses storage needs: such as dividers, garment hanging rails and much more.

What to Store in Longspan Shelving?

Longspan shelving provides an ideal storage solution for items that pallet racking cannot accommodate. Irregularly shaped, bulky, or fragile items may be challenging to transport using forklifts. Long pipes, batteries, tyres, and office supplies are just a few examples of items that you can store on longspan shelving.

What Are the Advantages of Longspan Shelving?

In addition to the benefits that have already been outlined, our AR QuickSpan shelving provides several advantages, including:

  • Quick and easy to assemble and to replace/add components
  • Versatility, providing immediate access to all unit loads
  • Efficient utilisation of available space
  • Customised designs that cater to your specific storage needs
  • Strong and robust
  • High load capacities
  • Easy adjustment of beam levels, every 50mm
  • Fast delivery lead times (3-5 working days)

What is pallet racking?


What is pallet racking?

Warehouses worldwide use adjustable pallet racking (APR) as the standard for storing palletised goods. It is a modular structure assembled using upright frames and horizontal beams. Buy here.

A forklift truck places pallets onto the beams in such a way that they overhang 50mm to the front of the racking and 50mm to the back. This allows a little leeway for placement. If your pallets are 1000mm deep you need 900mm deep frames. If your pallets are 1200mm deep you need 1100mm deep frames.

Call us on 0800 612 3210 for quotes or send us a message on our enquiry form.

 

Pallet Racking Dimensions

There are several standard sizes for pallet racking frames and beams and bespoke options available for unique and unusual loads.

 

Storing UK pallets

Standard UK pallets are 1200mm x 1000mm and a forklift picks them up on the 1200mm side and places them 1000mm deep onto 900mm deep pallet racking, allowing for a 50mm overhang to the front and back

 

Storing Euro Pallets

Standard euro pallets are 800mm x 1200mm and a forklift picks them up on the 800mm side and places them 1200mm deep onto 1100mm deep pallet racking, allowing for a 50mm overhang to the front and back.

 

How to store UK and Euro Pallets

Storing non standard pallets or loose items

If you use unusual pallet sizes, or a mixture of different pallet sizes or if you are storing non palletised goods. Timber decking or wire mesh decks create a shelf level between the beams.  Your pallets do not need to over hang the beams if you have decking but it is important that the decks are strong enough to take the load.

 

What beam length should I choose?

This depends on the size and weight of your pallets. A standard beam length is 2700mm clear entry (between the upright frames) and will accommodate 2 UK pallets or 3 Euro pallets and these beams would typically take 2000kg – 3000kg per level.  Longer beams are available as are smaller single pallet beams.

 

Pallet racking configurations

There are several different ways to configure pallet racking depending on the density of storage required and the fork truck you use.  All the below options use the same racking components but different configurations. Always refer to the technical specifications provided by the forklift manufacturer.

 

Wide aisle

Aisles of between 2.5m and 4m depending on the style of truck used. A counterbalance truck will need more clearance than a reach truck.

 

Narrow aisle

Narrow aisles are between 1.8m and 2.3m and can considerably increase available storage area. This configuration requires narrow aisle forklift trucks which also have the advantage of being able to lift pallets higher than counter balance trucks increasing vertical storage.

 

Very narrow aisle (VNA)

With aisles as small as 1.6m VNA systems are the answer for warehouses where space is at a premium. It is necessary to use very narrow aisle trucks and to fit guide rail or a wire guidance system.

 

Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking

Back to back

When 2 runs are placed side by side so each run is accessed from a different aisle.  Frame spacers of 200mm or 300mm are used to separate the frames. This allows the required clearance between pallets when the racks are loaded. This is a common layout for wide aisle, narrow aisle and VNA systems.

 

Double deep

Double deep racking is higher density option where a specialised truck with hydraulic or telescopic forks can reach over the 1st run of racking to place a pallet on the one behind. This option further reduces the number of aisles required.

 

 

Double Deep Pallet Racking

Alternative racking systems

Cantilever Racking

Used for storing long items like tubes, pipes and profiles or large sheet materials. Cantilever racking is a modular system with arms that clip or bolt in to upright legs to provide uninterupted horizontal storage.

 

Drive in Racking

 

A modular structure creating a high density ‘block’ of racking.  No aisles are required as the truck drives through the lane to place pallets on the rails.  Drive in racking is often placed against a wall and accessed from just one side meaning pallets are stored  ‘Last in first out’ (LIFO)

 

Drive In Pallet Racking

Drive though Racking

The same as drive in racking but accessible from both sides so pallets can be stored ‘First in First out’ (FIFO) as a result you achieve improved stock rotation and eliminate difficult to access pallets.

 

Push back racking

A dynamic system where the forklift places pallets onto the top of several nested carts. The cart holds the pallet and is pushed back when the next pallet is loaded into the same lane. Multiple pallets can be stored on each lane and due to the incline of the rails pallets are automatically presented to the front of the aisle for easy collection.

 

Push Back Pallet Racking

Pallet Live

‘Pallet live’ or Gravity Flow racking’ uses inclined lanes and rollers so loaded pallets travel down the lanes to the picking location. It is a FIFO process (first in first out) and ideal for high volumes of time sensitive or perishable goods.

Pallet Live

Mobile Pallet Racking

An extremely high density option where the warehouse operative controls movable beds with runs of pallet racking mounted on them.  The closely packed racking moves to create aisles where required, maximising floorspace. 

 

 

Mobile Pallet Racking
Cantilever racking system

Cantilever racking system


A cantilever racking system is a versatile, robust and cost effective way to store long products or non-standard pallet sizes. It is a great way to maximise your warehouse storage capacity, making use of the available height and allowing you to store items of varying sizes in the same area.

We can supply you with a bespoke cantilever racking system that will suit your individual requirements. The uprights can be single or double sided and up to 10 metres high. The bracing which joins the uprights together can be tailored to the exact distance required for the length of the items that you will be storing. Horizontal load supporting arms are then added to the uprights, on which you will place your products. These can be up to 2500mm in length and will be designed to take the required load capacity. The height of the arms can be adjusted according to the height required for each storage level.

This type of warehouse storage equipment is particularly useful for the following products:

  • Pipes, tubes and bars
  • Timber
  • Sheet materials
  • Laminates and worktops
  • Extrusions
  • Lintels
  • Goods stored on non-standard pallets

Our cantilever racking can be galvanised for outdoor use and canopies or cladding can be added to help protect your stock from the weather. 

If you have large products to store and pallet racking doesn’t suit the dimensions, we can help you to create a warehouse racking system which will enable you to make the most of the space you have available. We have recently supplied cantilever racking to customers in Hull, Basingstoke, Coventry and Bradford, so wherever you are in the UK we can find the right industrial racking solution for your business.

Call us now on 0800 612 3210 if you are looking for a cantilever racking system or you think it might help with your warehouse storage and you need some guidance on the options available. Alternatively you can send us a message on the enquiry form and we will reply to you quickly.

warehouse storage system

Warehouse storage system- can I add to what I have?


Adding to your warehouse storage system can appear to be a complicated task if it’s something you haven’t looked into before, but we have years of experience and are always happy to help you to find the right pallet racking components for your needs. There are many different manufacturers of industrial racking and none of them are compatible with each other, so it important that you know what you have before you can think about adding to it.

You can see images of the most popular warehouse racking systems on our Identify My Racking page, or you can send us a photo of your racking and we will let you know what you have. Dexion, Link 51, PSS and Apex are some of the leading industrial racking manufacturers but there are many others that we have in stock.

We can also help you with the layout, dimensions and load capacities of your racking, our friendly and helpful team can work from your plans or arrange a site visit if required. Accessories such as column guards, rack end barriers, pallet support bars and load notices are all important components of your warehouse storage system and we can advise you on what you might need to complete you installation.

If you are looking for hand loaded storage, we have huge stocks of longspan shelving in a wide variety of sizes, so we can also help you to plan a layout that best suits your specific requirements.

We have deliveries leaving our warehouse every day, so whether you are in Rotherham, Blackburn, Norwich or Southampton we will get your used warehouse racking order to you quickly and in great condition.

Call us now on 0800 612 3210 to discuss your racking needs, or send us an enquiry form and we will reply to you quickly.

warehouse storage solutions

Warehouse storage solutions are more than just pallet racking


When you think about warehouse storage solutions, pallet racking might be the first thing that springs to mind. Warehouse racking, particularly used pallet racking, is our speciality and the biggest part of our business, but there are many other ways to store your stock that we can help you with.

For non-palletised items, we can supply longspan shelving, a heavy duty system that works in much the same way as pallet racking, with upright frames and horizontal beams. Longspan beams have a z profile (rather than the box section of racking beams), so that a chipboard deck will sit securely between them, and with support bars under the chipboard they can take well in excess of 500kg per shelf for almost all beam sizes. This robust and versatile system is available in a wide range of sizes, so we can help you find the best layout to make full use of the space you have for storage of your stock.

Cantilever racking provides an effective way to store long materials such as pipes, rods, structural sections, profiles, timber and flat sheets such as  chipboard. We offer off the shelf solutions for single or double-sided cantilever storage for long but lightweight items. It is easy to assemble, simple, stable and safe. For heavy loads, we can provide high strength bespoke solutions including systems suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

You may also be looking for storage options for your employees to keep their personal items safe. We have a huge range of lockers that we can supply in many different sizes, colours and for a different working environments.

Whatever you warehouse storage requirements are, we can help you to find the best solution for your business. Call us now on 0800 612 3210 to discuss you options or to place an order. Alternatively, you can send us an enquiry form and we will reply to you quickly. All our warehouse storage solutions are available for delivery to any UK mainland address, so whether you are in Leeds, Worcester, Liverpool or Brighton we can supply you with what you need.

warehouse racking for sale

Warehouse racking for sale


We have thousands of bays of quality used warehouse racking for sale at great prices, which we can deliver quickly to any UK mainland address. Whether you need a small run of pallet racking to use some spare storage space or to fill a distribution centre with multiple runs of multi-tier industrial racking, we will find the right solution for you.

We have upright frames and horizontal beams in a huge range of sizes and duties, so we can find something to fit your specific requirements. We always have good stocks of leading manufacturers such as Dexion, Link 51, Apex, and PSS and currently we also have Mecalux, Redirack and Stow used pallet racking for sale.

Our experienced and friendly team will offer you all the support and assistance you need to get the right warehouse racking for your needs, we can help with planning your storage system and send you drawings of our proposed layout if required. 

To complete your warehouse storage installation, we have column guards, rack end barriers, pallet support bars and both timber and wire mesh decking in stock and ready for quick dispatch.

We deliver to any UK mainland address and can also offer the services our our highly experienced installation teams to ensure that your pallet racking meets with SEMA specifications. We have recently installed industrial racking in Bolton, Ipswich, Harrogate and Bristol, so wherever you are in the UK we have warehouse racking for sale that will meet your requirements.

Call us now on 0800 612 3210 to let us know what you need, or send an enquiry form and we will reply to you quickly.

Hand loaded industrial shelving Longspan

Heavy duty industrial shelving


If you need heavy duty industrial shelving we have a range of options that we are sure will meet your requirements. Our AR longspan shelving comes in a huge variety of sizes and is available for quick dispatch, usually just 2-3 working days. This strong and versatile hand loaded shelving system uses chipboard decking and support bars to take a minimum of 430kg (Uniformly Distributed Load) per shelf. Just let us know the dimensions of the area you have available, and what you are storing, and we will help you to make the most of your warehouse storage space. We can also supply steel shelves and garment rails for this shelving system.

If you need shelving that can take even greater weights, or you would like to add shelving levels to your existing pallet racking, we can also find a solution for you. We have huge stocks of used pallet racking including leading manufacturers such as Apex, Link 51, Dexion and PSS. We can supply timber decking (open or closed boarded) or wire mesh decking to suit all sizes of warehouse racking and creating a strong shelving level for your non-palletised goods or for picking levels.

We have supplied and installed this type of shelving in warehouses across the UK, including recent jobs in York, Doncaster, Carlisle and Essex, so wherever you are we can help you with your heavy duty industrial shelving.

Call us now on 0800 612 3210 to discuss what you need, or send us the details on an enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly. You can also use the live chat option during office hours.