Pallet Rack Accessory Guide

Pallet Racks by themselves are very useful – however there are several common add-ons that give them even more utility.

Wire Deck

Wire decks are a handy solution for improving both safety and visibility in your pallet rack systems.

While not specifically designed for point loading, wire decking can support up to 2500# of an evenly distriburted load – however, most loads should still typically be supported by the front and rear pallet rack beams.

Wire decks come in several different configurations, however the two most common are universal/flared and step style.

The main difference between a universal style wire deck and a step style wire deck is the support channels under the wire mesh. With a universal style, the channel is flared out allowing it to fit almost any style of pallet rack beam – box or step style. The step style wire decks can only fit on a step style beam.

Wire decking provides a safe deck material that meets all OSHA standards.  Many cities and municipal area require that rack decking be permeable by water or fire suppressants from overhead sprinkler systems.  Wire decks allow water to drip through to the lower levels of racking while still keeping persons below safe from falling objects.

Pallet Supports

Pallet supports are aptly named as they provide support to the underside of pallets.  Typically, each pallet should have two pallet supports, however the load still must rest on both front and rear beams.  Pallet supports should be ordered in the same depth as a pallet rack upright.

There are four common types of pallet supports:

1: Standard – This rests in and overhangs the beam steps

2: Roll-Formed – These only rest in the beam steps and there is no beam overhang

3: Structural – These also only rest in the beam steps with no overhang – often, however they bolt into each beam to provide rigidity to the entire rack structure

4: Slotted – These must be used with slotted beams as they “clip” into slots along the beams for better stability.

Column Guards

Column guards are a great way to protect your rack investment from errant forklift drivers or other warehouse mishaps.  These protectors can either be seperate from the rack post entirely (as the one shown here) or they can bolt directly to the upright’s column.  Either way, column protectors are a very cheap insurance policy against the massive damages that can result if a forklift takes out a bay of racking.

Back to Back / Back to Wall Ties

Wall Tie

Row Tie

Another common rack accessory that many desire are back to back or back to wall ties.

These spacers connect to and rigidly hold racks at set spacing from either walls or other rows of pallet racks.  These spacers are used at the top and bottom of each upright in a row of racking.  Typically, these ties are recommended when the upright height is more than six times the depth, however if you’re at all worried about stability, these may be a good option to consider.

Other Popular Pallet Rack Accessories

Fork Clearance Bar

Skid Support

Reel Holder

Drum Cradle