Your new or existing warehouse needs a new racking system to support your growth. That’s what brought you here. While making the purchase has never been easier, selecting the right system requires research on your part. Before you purchase a racking system, know these dos and don’ts of warehouse pallet racking systems to make the best choice that will enable the performance you require now and in the future.

DO: Pay Attention to Rack Capacity

We’ve all lifted a little more than we should from time to time. However, there’s a big difference between carrying too much weight for a few seconds and carrying it for minutes, hours, days, or weeks. When a racking system is designed for a specific capacity, heed that warning. Exceeding it could cause a catastrophic collapse. Conversely, utilizing the full capacity of your rack system will ensure you have optimized your investment and leveraged every inch of capacity.

DON’T: Let Small Problems Become Big Ones

It’s inevitable: at some point, a forklift is going to collide with a racking system. When that happens, it’s imperative that the driver not shrug it off as part of the territory. Even though pallet racks can take major damage from collisions, over time, that damage can compromise their structural integrity. Employee, equipment, and material safety can be at risk when structural damage is not addressed. Make sure all employees report any collisions so that supervisors can investigate and make preemptive repairs.

DO: Find the System That’s Right for Your Facility

There’s more than one way to organize your inventory. Consider your floor traffic and material flow as you find the configuration that best suits your warehouse. When your inventory has varying degrees of demand, you can save space by installing a double-deep racking system that stows less popular goods while reducing how much of the floor you lose to aisles. If your warehouse stocks a few varieties of inventory but carries a lot of each one, a drive-in racking system could be ideal. Irregular items like lumber or piping that don’t fit standard racks can be securely stored using a cantilevered system. Whichever system fits your inventory and material flow process best, you can find the right warehouse pallet racking system at RMH Systems.

DON’T: Buy Just Enough Material

Let’s wrap up our dos and don’ts of warehouse pallet racking systems with a critical strategic point. There are what-ifs to your business, and anticipating the market and your future growth isn’t easy. Since no one has a crystal ball, selecting a racking system that can handle your current needs now and throughout your planning period is a good approach. Your warehouse’s needs could exceed your initial pallet racking system as you grow seasonally or annually. Having the space you need now with room to spare will eliminate critical situations that could inhibit your growth or ability to serve your customers. Bet on your own success and anticipate your future while you’re setting up for your current warehouse requirements.