A common scenario faced by people that manage a warehouse or storage facility face is a lack of storage space. This article will help you optimize your warehouse storage area for space, speed, cost, safety and efficiency.
Pallets are a staple of any warehouse around the world and using a pallet rack is one of the best ways you can maximize warehouse storage. It gives you the option of storing multiple items in horizontal rows that are also stacked one on top of the other. It is important to know and follow the weight limits for the racks and distribute the weight of palettized products evenly along the rack.
Using pallets can help in maximizing storage space enormously – you can store so much more in a smaller area. This alone can pay for itself very quickly since you can store more per square foot of warehouse space. The total amount of storage you can save in your warehouse depends on the type of pallet racking system you set up. There are numerous different types of pallet racking systems. One of the more common ones is selective pallet racking, but others include Drive-In, Drive-through, Push-back pallet rack and Pallet Flow systems. You can find out more about the various types of systems here. (link to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pallet_racking Each has their own advantages and disadvantages.
The Top Pallet Tips For Optimizing Warehouse Storage
If you use a pallet racking system for your warehouse or are planning to do so in the near future, here are a few useful tips for you to help utilize your warehouse storage potential to its fullest.
1. Remember to check specifics of your rack
Before you select a rack, pay special attention to the size and weight restrictions the rack has. If there is any possibility that the weight of your palletized products will increase, you should ensure that the rack you are using accommodates that weight. Otherwise, you should consider upgrading the rack.
Having a rack that can easily support your product weight will help prevent unnecessary safety issues. Rack overloading is one of the most common problems of rack related accidents. Even if you are lucky and nobody gets hurt, the accident is likely to cost you both time and money. Not to mention you may have an irate customer waiting for a shipment.
2. Maintain your racks
Ensure that you do regular check-ups on your racks to make sure that they are sturdy and doing their job properly. If there are loose screws or bolts, or whether any side is damaged or looks worn-out, you should attend to it as soon as possible.
Employees who will be responsible for handling or transporting these pallet racks should be properly trained, so that they have proper knowledge on every aspect of pallet storage systems. Also determine whether additional decks such as wood decks are needed to stabilize your racks.
3. Determine how you transport your products
Whether the products that come in first go out first (FIF0), or whether the products that come in last go out first (LIFO) should determine what sort of storage rack you are using. (For example, if you are using a FIFO technique for your products, using a flow pellet rack might be ideal)
4. Access through forklift
The type of truck you use for transporting your products will determine how wide your aisles should be. Aisles usually have a width of between 8 and 13 feet, but this can change if you have unique or custom pallet sizes.
There are generally two types of trucks, namely the reach trucks and the order pickers.
Reach trucks are used to reach products stored high above the ground. Order pickers on the other hand come with a harness and lift up the operator who in turn lifts the required materials. For counterbalance lift trucks an aisle width of 12 ft. is ideal, and general aisle width differs from 8 ft. to 13 ft.
5. Arrangement of your racks
Once you have determined the type of rack you need, you should pay attention to the arrangement of the racks to help maximize storage space. Long rows of racks along the walls are the best option. Additional racks should be installed parallel to the walls in long rows as well; making sure to keep your required aisle width between each row. Avoid short clusters of racks as this will complicate navigation.
Plan and research your pallet storage system options to determine what is best within your budget. Its best not to skimp on your pallet system, since it is a one time cost that can have a big effect on the safety, efficiency and cost of your operation. With careful planning and the above tips, your warehouse storage will be utilized to its fullest.