Selecting the right type of industrial shelving is crucial for optimising space utilisation and enhancing workflow in commercial environments. It is typically found in warehouses, factories, offices, and industrial units.
In this guide, we will explore the diverse array of industrial shelving solutions available, their unique features, and the ideal applications for each type.
What is the Difference Between Industrial Shelving and Pallet Racking
When setting up a commercial facility, a common question arises: What is the difference between industrial shelving and pallet racking?
Simply put, industrial shelving is generally defined as heavy duty shelving that is designed for safe and easy, hand loading and unloading. This differentiates it in a practical sense from pallet racking storage solutions, which are designed for storing much heavier palletised items that require the aid of forklifts and powered, material handling equipment.
Set out below is a description of the most common industrial shelving systems available. Each is designed to accommodate specific storage needs and requirements.
1. Longspan Shelving
Long span shelving (see image below) is open, flexible, heavy duty shelving that can be used singly in a garage or shed or scaled up to provide bulk storage in a warehouse. This type of industrial shelving is much less costly than pallet racking. As a result, it represents a cost-effective way to bolster your storage capacity.
Longspan provides great versatility. It is ideal for storing small to medium-sized items and bulky items that are hand-picked to order. For example, it is used as garage shelving for storing heavy tools, storage tubs and sports equipment. It is also used for general-purpose carton storage and office shelving for archive storage.
The open nature of longspan shelving allows quick access to stored items from both sides, keeping operations efficient.
Installation is breeze. Long span shelving is easy to assemble without bolts, tools or brackets. In addition, by using add on bays, it is easy to connect units together into rows, which helps to maximise the use of floorspace.
Longspan has adjustable shelves. So you can move the height of shelves or add additional shelves to quickly make the units compatible with the things being stored.
It is made from steel and powder coated for durability. So it requires minimal maintenance.
Whether it is a single longspan shelving unit for a garage wall or multiple bays for completing a warehouse fitout, Falcon Shelving has a variety of heights, widths, depths, load capacities and colours in its collection to meet almost any need. You can see our range of longspan shelving here or contact our expert team for advice or a quote.
How Much Weight Can Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving Hold?
Buyers often ask, "How much weight can heavy duty longspan shelving hold?" The weight rating of a longspan shelf refers to its ability to carry a uniformly distributed load (UDL). At Falcon Shelving, our collection features a variety of heights, widths, and load capacities ranging from 120kg up to 300kg per level to meet almost any storage need.
2. Rivet Shelving
Similar in overall shape to long span shelving, rivet shelving is essentially a cheaper, lighter-duty option (see image below).
Rivet shelving slots together. So no tools are required for assembly. It's simply a matter of slotting the cross beams into the vertical uprights. This type of industrial shelving often comes flat packed for easy shipping and a lower overall price point. .
3. Wire Shelving
Wire shelving is a highly versatile option for general, light-weight storage (see image below).
To answer a common query—why is wire shelving used in commercial kitchens and food storage? An important aspect of wire shelving is that it is highly hygienic. Air flows easily between the gaps in the wires, which helps with temperature regulation and prevents the accumulation of dust and debris. This is crucial for temperature-sensitive items and perishable goods, including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
This type of industrial shelving features easy assembly and requires minimal maintenance. Wire shelving is made from a range of different materials, which give it different storage properties and applications (see table below).
| Material | Properties and Uses |
| Chrome- coated |
|
|
Epoxy-coated |
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| Stainless steel |
|
4. Mobile Shelving (Maximise Your Storage)
Mobile shelving, also known as compact shelving, is mounted on wheels or rails (see image below). So rows of shelving can be compacted together when not in use or moved apart to create an access aisle. In addition, brakes can be fitted to the casters, so that the shelves remain stationery when required.
How Can I Maximise Warehouse Floor Space Without Moving?
If you find yourself asking, "How can I maximise warehouse floor space without moving?" this is the exact solution you need. Eliminating the need for fixed aisles maximises the available storage space for a given floor area.
The addition of a hand winding mechanism or an electric motor makes moving the shelves easy. This type of industrial shelving is ideal for high-density storage applications such as those in healthcare and legal offices.
5. Steel Shelving (aka R.E.T Shelving or RUT Shelving)
Steel shelving is also known as R.E.T. (Rolled Edge Type) or R.U.T. (Rolled Upright Type) shelving (see image below).
What is Rolled Upright Type (RUT) Steel Shelving Used For?
So, what is rolled upright type (RUT) steel shelving used for in a commercial setting? It is constructed like a bookcase with a solid steel back and sides and shelves that can be adjusted up and down. This provides open access from the front and makes it suitable for the hand picking of small, light-to-medium duty stored items.
It can be set up as a single bay or installed side-by-side in a long row. It can also be used in offices for file and archive box storage. Adding accessories like dividers and plastic trays makes it ideal for small parts storage in a warehouse.
The design flexibility afforded by steel shelving makes it easy to integrate into a wide range of environments, including: industrial warehouses, storerooms, libraries, museums, retail outlets and offices.
Add Doors and You Have a Cabinet
From a manufacturing point of view, a steel cabinet is essentially a steel shelving unit equipped with a set of doors (see image below). This allows cabinets to be easily integrated into a system of steel shelving.
How Do I Safely Store Hazardous or Valuable Materials in a Warehouse?
If you are wondering how to safely store hazardous or valuable materials in a warehouse, adding a set of lockable doors is the first step. Lockable steel cabinets are typically used to store valuable, sensitive, or potentially hazardous items. They are ideal for offices, public buildings, libraries, schools, workshops, manufacturing, and industrial workplaces. You can also add hanging rails to create a clothing locker.
Benefits of Industrial Shelving
To summarise, industrial shelving offers a number of key benefits for your business:
- Highly Adaptable: Free-standing and quick to set up, disassemble, and transport to new locations.
- Vertical Optimisation: Comes in a variety of heights to make the best use of valuable vertical space.
- Heavy Duty Capacities: Comes in a variety of load limits so it can be matched to different heavy or light applications.
- Future Proof: It is easily added to or reconfigured as your storage needs change over time.
- Manual Picking Efficiency: Ideal for manual put-away and picking, directly boosting operational efficiency.
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Organisational Control: Great for organising small items, especially when combined with plastic bins, labels, and dividers.
4 Key Considerations When Choosing Storage Systems
There are 4 key considerations when determining the best mix of industrial storage shelving for your needs.
- Establish your storage capability in terms of weight capacity, available floor and vertical space, and accessibility. Also, consider the size and shape of your space, along with ease of access, convenience and any potential obstructions or hazards.
- Review the items you intend to store in relation to the features required in the shelving and the best way to organize your inventory. This process will help identify any potential problems and also help to optimize access and workflow.
- Allow for future growth and the potential to add more storage down the track. Most industrial shelving is adjustable and scalable and it’s easier to add some more shelving than move to new premises. Forward planning in this way will allow your shelving system to evolve as your needs change.
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Make sure you have addressed the common issues that arise with industrial shelving in terms of: stability on uneven ground, appropriate corrosion resistance, safety and adjustability.
Whether it is a single longspan shelving unit for a garage wall or multiple bays for completing a warehouse fit-out, Falcon Shelving has a variety of heights, widths, depths, load capacities, and colours in its collection to meet almost any need. You can view our complete range of longspan shelving on our website or contact our expert team today for advice or a custom quote
For more information on ways to store palletised goods, you can check out our related blog on warehouse pallet racking.
