How to Choose the Best Pallet Racking System for Your Warehouse
How to Choose a Good Pallet Racking System
Poor racking leads to real problems: bowed beams, rusted frames, and costly downtime when damage happens. If you’re planning a new layout or replacing aging equipment, the pallet racking you choose has a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and long-term cost.
Here’s what to look for — and how our system stacks up
Understanding Safety Factor in Pallet Racking
The safety factor is the ratio between a system’s maximum load capacity and its intended working load. It provides a buffer to account for unexpected stresses, ensuring the structure remains safe under various conditions.
For instance, a safety factor of 2.0 means the racking can support twice the intended load before reaching its failure point.
Industry Standards and Legal Requirements
In Canada, the design and certification of pallet racking systems must be conducted by a licensed engineer, as per provincial regulations. This ensures that the racking meets the necessary safety standards and is suitable for its intended use.
While specific safety factors can vary based on application and regional codes, a minimum safety factor of 1.65 is commonly observed in the industry. However, higher safety factors are recommended for environments with greater risk factors, such as seismic activity or heavy forklift traffic.
Our Commitment to Safety
Our pallet racking systems are engineered with a safety factor of 2.0, exceeding the typical industry minimum. This higher safety factor provides additional assurance against unforeseen stresses, such as:
- Dynamic loading from forklift operations
- Variations in pallet weight and distribution
- Potential impacts or collisions
By adhering to a higher safety factor, we aim to enhance the durability and reliability of our racking systems, contributing to a safer warehouse environment.
Deflection Ratings Tell You a Lot
Beam deflection — how much a beam bends under load, is often overlooked, but it adds up. Industry standards typically allow up to L/180 or even L/165, which can mean over half an inch of bend in a standard 8-foot beam. It’s not unsafe, but it’s not ideal — especially when your team’s loading and unloading daily.
Our racking is rated for L/200, which limits deflection and keeps beams straighter under stress. That means tighter tolerances, better long-term performance, and peace of mind on every lift.
Materials and Maintenance: What to Consider Long-Term
When choosing a pallet racking system, it’s worth looking beyond load ratings. The type of finish and frame construction can affect how the system holds up over time — especially in busy, high-traffic, or humid environments.
Two common variables:
- Finish: Many systems are powder-coated, which works initially but can chip or scratch, exposing steel to corrosion. Galvanized finishes offer better long-term resistance to rust.
- Frame type: Welded frames can be harder and more costly to repair if a brace is damaged. Bolted frames make replacement simpler, with less downtime.
Our racking uses galvanized steel and a bolted frame design — a combination that’s proven reliable in real working environments where wear and tear are part of the job.
Flexibility Matters: Accessories and Adaptability
Every storage setup has its own demands — from product types to handling equipment to safety standards. That’s why accessory options matter when choosing a pallet racking system.
Some systems offer limited or proprietary accessories, making it harder (and more expensive) to adapt when your needs change.
Our system is designed with flexibility in mind:
A wide range of standard accessories lets you configure and adjust your setup without needing custom solutions — saving time, cost, and complexity.
Designing your storage layout?
Talk to our team — we offer free site consultations to help you assess your setup and explore better options.
At ShelvingMate, we offer a wide range of storage solutions, including pallet racking, mezzanine systems, catwalks, different types of shelving, lifts, and automation technologies like Rover ASRS, 4D Pallet Shuttle, Conveyors, Semi-Automatic Shuttle, and Pick-to-Light systems. Whether you’re optimizing warehouse space or enhancing organization, we have the right solution for your needs.