Are you training new employees in a warehouse environment? Do you want to better serve your customers and educate them on your products in a warehousing business? Want a standardized approach on your pallet racking system? Need to speak the same language with people inquiring about warehouse material handling equipment.

In the material handling industry, there are many terms used for one specific product. Let’s get clear about the components of a pallet rack system — what they are called, their description or meaning, and alternative terminology.

Listed below are common terms of a pallet rack system components:

Aisle

The space in between the rows of pallet rack used for pedestrian and forklift traffic. Common Name: Isle

Anchors

Types of anchors used to secure pallet rack columns to the floor or to each other. Common Names: Floor Bolts, Concrete, Anchors, Lags, Wedge Anchors, Strike Anchors

Bay

A section of racking or shelving. As in a bay of racking, or a bay of shelving. A unit of pallet rack that consists of two uprights, and the beams in between. Common Names: Unit, Section

Beam

The horizontal bar installed into slots in the upright that holds up the pallets. Pallets or loads can sit directly on beams. The horizontal beam determines the size of the bay and holds the load. Commons Names: Rail, stick, horizontal, cross member

Column Protectors

A product that blocks the upright from getting hit and damaged by forklifts.
Common Names: Rack protector, Guard, Post Protector, Boots, Protector

Cross Aisle Tie

A cross aisle tie combines two frames together at the top which extend across the aisle. Common Names: Over Aisle Tie, Top tie

Drop Pin

A drop pin is a component that keeps pallet rack beams engaged in the upright frame column when the integral locking device has been lost or damaged. Common Names: Safety Clip, Beam Clips, J bolt, Pallet Rack Clips, Gravity Pin

Offset Backstop Beam

A beam installed to prevent a pallet from falling off the back of the rack in the warehouse. Common Names: Load Stop, Pallet Stop, Back Stop

Rack Guard Ends

Rack protectors are used to protect the rack uprights from being hit by forklift traffic. Common Names: End Protectors, Guard Rail, Post Protectors, Upright Protectors

Row Spacer

A row spacer is used to space pallet rack that is placed back to back.
Common Name: Back to Back Spacer

Upright

Two posts and bracing that stand vertically and attach to the beams and the floor. Common Names: Standard, Column, Frame, Vertical, Mono Post

Wire Decks

Pallet supports that sit between the beams, consisting of steel wire and steel bars. Common Names: Grids, Wire Rack, Grates, Baskets

Wall Tie

A wall tie is used if you have a single row of pallet racking against a wall.
Common Names: Brackets, Row to Wall Spacer

Versatile Industrial Maintenance Inc. was established in 2006 in Lawrenceville, GA and draws on over 40 years of manufacturing and facility maintenance experience with a high emphasis on regulatory and safety. VIM specializes in warehouse rack repairs. Contact us for a free consultation via email or call 404-516-0611