Warehouse racks play an important role in helping hold and store goods and equipment. Although they have the same primary function, racks differ in size and design.

Your chosen rack supplier may need certain information to design custom racks to give the best functionality. Customizable racks allow warehouses or storage spaces to have racks that fit into the space and shape of the warehouse.

Questions your rack supplier may ask?

It's best you go visit your rack supplier armed with the necessary information to avoid any confusion.

What is the height of the warehouse?

The question is relevant to ascertain the height of the racks to design. The whole idea of using warehouse racks is to maximize the available ground space. If the warehouse has an above-average height, racks can be designed with three or more layers.

What are the sizes of your forklifts?

Warehouses use forklifts to lift and move goods around. The size of the forklift gives the rack supplier an idea of how tall the racks can be. Different forklifts have different reachable heights. Customs racks are designed around your existing equipment and machinery.

What is the floor loading capacity?

The floor loading capacity tells the rack supplier the number of goods your warehouse can hold at any given time. If you want racks that can hold your warehouse capacity, it must be communicated to the rack manufacturer and supplier.

For instance, if you have a floor loading capacity of 15,000kg, the rack supplier will ensure the chosen rack should have a minimum holding capacity of 15,000kg.

What's your budget?

There are different shapes and sizes of warehouse racks. These also come at different prices. A rack supplier is in a better position to show and give you options that are tailored to your current budget.

What are your warehouse regulations?

There are general safety regulations for warehouses to abide by. However, the rack supplier will be interested in knowing if there are any unique regulations in your warehouse. This will help the rack supplier to choose racks that meet the regulations.

What type of racks do you have in mind?

For instance, there are about six pallet rack systems. These are double deep, drive-in, very narrow, drive-through, Gravity, and standard adjustable. Depending on the warehouse operations, you can decide which pallet rack system to use.

The same applies to other types of racking systems. Again, it's best to know what you need to get racks that align with your business operations.

What is the average weight of your stored goods?

The average weight of goods in a warehouse storing books will be different from that storing equipment. The rack supplier knows that heavier goods would need firmer racks. The answer to the question will help the rack supplier decide on the best type of rack for your warehouse.

To help determine the right rack size, the rack supplier will consider features like load beam options, racking frame sizes, upright frame, beam depth, options on flooring and anchoring, and weight of the floor slab. Ideally, these and other factors differ from one warehouse to another.