Pallet Rack Weight Capacity Explained

How to determine the load capacity of a pallet rack

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The most straightforward way to work out how much weight your pallet rack can hold is by speaking with our expert team. We specialise in all things pallet racking and will ensure you secure a safe, reliable and robust system that can support your inventory.

But first, you&#;ll need to confirm the required load capacity.

Get started by figuring out the heaviest load you&#;ll be storing in each pallet position. For example, 1,000kg.

Then multiply this figure by the amount of pallet positions on each beam level. If that number is three for instance, you&#;ll need a minimum beam capacity of 3,000kg.

Next, multiply this number by the number of beam levels per bay. If you&#;re planning to have two beam levels in each bay, then the overall pallet rack capacity is 6,000 kg.

Now you&#;re all set to calculate pallet rack weight capacity. To do this, we&#;ll help you assess the following factors:

Vertical beam spacing

Vertical beam spacing is the first factor to consider when determining your pallet rack&#;s weight capacity.

Measure the distance between the highest points of two successive beam levels. Then cross-reference this figure with the system manufacturer&#;s guidelines to confirm the recommended vertical spacing for your required load capacity.

Importantly, the greater the vertical beam spacing, the less weight an upright frame can hold (more on this below).

Upright frame capacity

The upright frame capacity is the most crucial element in calculating your pallet rack&#;s weight limits. After all, this structure supports the entire system&#;s weight. Column height, spacing and construction all determine the maximum weight a frame can hold.

Uprights absorb two types of weight:

• The static load refers to the total pressure applied by the unloaded deck, brackets, beams, columns and other rack components whose weight never changes.
• Live pallets are loaded pallets whose weight fluctuates depending on the inventory being held.

Your upright frame&#;s capacity must exceed the maximum weight of both classifications combined to ensure a safe system at all times.

Here&#;s how to determine the overall capacity of your pallet rack&#;s upright frame:

1. Check the maximum weight capacity for each beam level with its manufacturer.
2. Multiply this number by the amount of beam levels in the frame. For instance, if the maximum capacity per level is 1,000 kgs, and it has four levels, then it can hold a total of 4,000 kgs safely.

Note that the total capacity of your uprights won&#;t vary depending on the number of beam levels. Instead, the more beam levels you add, the lower each one&#;s storage capacity becomes.

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Beam length and depth

When it comes to weight capacity, the longer the beam, the deeper it must be.

This is due to the downward force applied by a load, which compresses the beam and causes it to flex slightly. The tension extends from the centre of the load, moves along the beam&#;s length and transfers the weight to its connection with the uprights.

Therefore, the right size of uprights depends on maximum beam capacity.

Choose the size of your beam pairs according to the length of the beam or the &#;bay clear entry&#; distance. Equipped with this information, you can then choose an upright frame that matches your beams.

Deck capacity

A pallet rack deck helps spread the weight of a load evenly across the beams and down the uprights. Acting as a horizontal stabiliser, it supports a static, uniform load that applies equal pressure throughout.

However, only some warehouse racking systems feature decks. Others rest pallet edges directly on beams or uprights. Operating without decks demands precise weight calculations to ensure the racking system remains robust and safe.

Pallet rack capacity is a crucial factor to the safety of your warehouse. It is important to ensure that both the racking frames and beams are designed to hold the required weight to avoid a possible collapse.  When calculating the pallet rack capacity, there are several elements to take into consideration.

The first element to consider is the load, or the pallet size, dimensions, contents and type of pallet. How much weight will be placed on each level? How tall and deep will each pallet be? Height, weight and depth are important factors in making sure the beams are being uniformly loaded. The beams must be able to support the weight.

For example, if you have two pallet loads of lbs. each, your rack beam capacity will need to be at least lbs. per pair of beams to support the load. Beam capacities can vary by manufacturer. It is important to refer to the manufacturer&#;s load capacity chart when selecting your beams.

Next you will need to determine the number of beam levels per bay, along with the beam spacing.  If your facility will have multiple bay configurations you need to ensure that each configuration is evaluated. Capacity ratings for rack frames are rated based on a maximum unsupported span. Meaning, the further apart the beam spacing the less capacity the frame is rated to hold.

For example, if you have a 16&#; tall frame, with (4) beam levels rated at 3,000 lbs. each, the total frame capacity need will be 12,000 lbs. The spacing of the beams may impact the frame design. If the maximum distance between levels is 8&#;, then the gauge of the frame will most likely be increased as opposed to a configuration where the maximum distance is 4&#;.

There are several factors that impact the capacity ratings for both frames and beams. The strength of the steel used to fabricate the racking components has a significant impact.  Steel thickness, or gauge, will also impact the capacity of these components. Also, each manufacturer will have different section properties that affect their rated capacities.

You should consider slab and soil conditions, seismic requirements, and potential rack damage when designing your storage system. To ensure your system is safe and compliant with all applicable building codes, consult a professional.

Now that you have a better understanding of rack capacities, we&#;d appreciate the opportunity to help you with the next step in your research, whether that be more information or a quote request.

Fill in the &#;Submit Your Inquiry&#; form to give us a better idea of your needs. We&#;ll then contact you to help with any further questions or requirements you have.

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