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System Design
Shop DAK
Dealer LoginHow To Design Your Basic Rack or Shelving System
Step One: Consider the area in which you will install. Ceiling height, condition and strength of the floor, obstructions on wall and overhead, building columns, doorways and exits. Plan your system so there will be no interference.
Step Two: Consider what you will be storing (cartons, pallets, odd-shaped items). Allow enough space for all items.
Step Three: How will you load and unload the rack? Forklift, crane, pallet jack, or by hand? Allow enough aisle space for equipment and personnel to maneuver.
Step Four: Select your basic rack components - upright frames and beams. Pick a frame depth suited to the items being stored - pallets generally overhang the front and rear by 3", so a 48" deep pallet usually uses a 42" deep frame. The frame height should be tall enough for all beam levels and product being stored (and "lift-off" space between the item and the beam above of at least 4") but short enough to fit inside the room! Select a beam length and capacity that suits your needs. Consult the capacity charts that are specific to each manufacturer when selecting components. Please keep in mind that mixing components from different manufacturers is a common practice - and all the components we sell will fit together - but may void the manufacturers warranty.
Step Five: Select a color. You may chose green for frames and orange for beams!
Step Six: Plan the layout. Plan out your rows of rack, allow for aisle space and exits and doorways, allow for space between the rack and any walls (generally 8-12" - remember the pallet overhang?), allow space for overhead obstructions and fire sprinklers. You may want to contact the local building department and determine if you need a permit for the rack system.
Step Seven: Select accessories such as anchors (two per frame), row spacers, pallet supports, wire decking, column protectors and so on.
Step Eight: When adding wire deck to your rack system, pay careful attention to the frame depth and the beam length. The frame depth should always match the depth of the frame, and the beam width may be covered by one, two or three wire deck, depending on how long the beam is. The capacity of the decks are per deck, so for example, if your 96" beams have a 4500# capacity per pair, the decks should be at least 2250# capacity each, since two 46" wide decks would fit on a 96" beam.
Also, be aware that although our wire decks fit the Interlake and Steel King rack that we sell, they may not fit other brands of rack. For these eventualities, we supply the channel length as well in our descriptions. The channel must fit between the beams and onto the steps of the beam. Too long and it won't drop in, too short and it won't hold up the load. To make sure, measure the inside-to-inside step dimension and compare it to our channel length. If the channel is slightly shorter (1/8 to 1/2", then you're probably all right. Any questions, call us!
See the below chart for help.
During this planning process, please call for advice if you have the slightest doubt or any questions. We're here to help!
Deck Chart
Interlake Capacity Chart
Excel Capacity Chart
DAK SHELVING SPECIFICATIONS
POSTS:
All posts shall be 14 gauge with 3/8" x 7/8" slots punched on 1-1/2" vertical centers for shelf adjustment using non-intrusive compression clips. Sway braces shall be attached to the post with nuts and bolts that shall not interfere with shelf adjustment.BEADED POST:
Shall be 14 gauge 11/16" wide x 2-9/16" deep overall. Units to have front beaded posts. Beaded posts used on open units shall have legs spot-welded together on 6" centers for added strength. Legs shall be punched on 3" centers for the attachment of side sway braces.ANGLE POSTS:
Shall be 14 gauge side leg 2-5/16" wide, rear leg is 1-3/16". Post to be offset angle shape. Starter units shall have rear angle posts. Flanges shall be punched on 3" centers for the attachment of side and back sway braces.TEE POSTS:
Shall be two angle posts spot-welded together on 6" centers. Adder units shall have rear T posts.SWAY BRACES:
Shall be 12 gauge x 3/4" wide ends punched for bolting to posts. Also punched in the middle for bolting to each other for strength and ease of installation.SHELF CLIP:
One piece 13 gauge compression type independently adjustable. Each clip shall bear on the edges of two post notches and provide a minimum of 1-1/2" of bearing. Zinc plated. Provide four independently adjustable clips per shelf.SHELVES:
Shelf shall have a 1-1/4" face on all four sides. Front and rear flanges shall have a 3/4" wide box formation with return flanges spot-welded to the shelf bottom on 3" centers. Sides shall have a 5/8" 90 return flange. Corner shall be lapped and spot-welded. Medium and heavy duty shelves shall have ribs in the tabs to keep shelf clips snug. Shelves shall be punched for dividers on 1-1/2" centers.Shelves shall be furnished in medium duty, heavy duty or extra heavy duty to meet the specified capacity.