Pallet Rack Beam & Wire Deck Capacity Ratings

Pallet Rack Beam Capacities

If you are getting a quote for pallet rack beams, or you have already ordered online, the vendor will usually tell you what the capacity rating is for the beams if they are brand-new. If your buying used pallet racks, the vendor probably won&#;t give you a guaranteed capacity rating. The capacity rating represents the weight that a pair of pallet rack beams can hold safely &#; not the strength of one beam. Even if you receive a quote for a singular beam, the capacity rating will only apply to a pair.

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Pallet rack beam capacity ratings are determined by using a UDL, or a uniformly-distributed load. UDLs are loads that are spread evenly over the supported surface, which is the surface of both beams. In contrast, point loads are where the weight is concentrated in a much smaller surface area. Wire deck and pallet rack beam capacities are always rated for uniformly-distributed loads because capacity is affected by weight distribution.

Beam Deflection

When beams become stressed due to heavy loads, they can start to bow down towards the ground. This tends to happen in the center of the beam, and it is called a beam deflection. Beam deflection may seem scary, but a small amount of deflection is normal. According to the Rack Manufacturers&#; Institute, a general rule for most situations calls for a maximum allowable deflection to be Length of Beam/180. For example, a 96&#; beam would accommodate for .53&#; (96/180=.53) of allowable deflection. The beam&#;s distance can be measured in the middle of the beam, and at the tail end of the beam from the floor, to determine whether your current deflection falls inside of the acceptable range. If the difference between those two measurements is more than .53&#;, your beams are overloaded. There are some occasions where the above rule will not apply.

There may be some specialized applications where no tolerance is acceptable. Additionally, shorter beams with a tall face will likely not deflect beyond the allowable amount prior to reaching their stated capacity. You should never load any more than the stated capacity, irrelevant of the deflection of the beam. If you have any questions about capacities or beam deflection in your application, contact us and we can walk you through it.

Wire Decks and Pallet Support Bars

There are other factors that can affect the load able to be placed on a shelf. The load should be placed on both beams so that it overhangs the beams by 3&#;. In the event a load is slightly smaller than the depth of the shelf, or if it is not loaded correctly, a wire deck or pallet support bar can prevent the load from falling or create a safety issue.

Wire Decks

Wire decks offer additional support for items that are stored on pallet racks. There are a variety of styles other than wire decks, including structural lumber, bar grating, and perforated decking, but wire decks are most often used.  The decks span the space between the beams, and have supports that run perpendicular to the direction of the beams.

To get an interchangeable, affordable system, you will want the wire deck capacity rating to be consistent with your beam capacities. For instance, you will need two decks with a 2,500-pound rating to cover a beam pair rated for 5,000 pounds. This will allow you to change your warehouse without worrying about being limited by the wire decks. While it is easy to place a capacity sticker on the beams, it is harder to affix it to a wire deck. Buying right up front will make it easier to ensure your capacities are not an issue in the future.

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The deck strength should never be less than the maximum load you are planning on storing in the rack system. The load capacity of wire decking is described as the &#;maximum uniformly distributed static load, which is entirely independent of the support system,&#; according to ANSI MH26.2-. This ensures that the load will be safe from falling even if it is not loaded correctly or is not deep enough to rest on the beams. Most manufacturers specify that the UDL must be within one or two inches of the beam though. Make sure to check the specifications of the product you are purchasing.

Pallet Support Bars

Pallet support bars are the second most common style of cross supports that you will see in a warehouse. These are support bars that connect the front beam to the back beam. To ensure that they don&#;t move, they should be screwed into the beams. You typically see two pallet support bars for each pallet. These have many of the same benefits as wire decking, they just lack the wire mesh that helps stop small items and packages from falling through the rack system.

Storage rack decking and pallet support bars should only be used for uniformly distributed load storage to ensure the safety of your operations. It should not be used for anything else because it is not constructed or engineered for point loads, to walk across, or be stood upon.

Contact us if you need assistance with Warehouse Design, which includes assistance with load capacity.

What is Wire Decking?

Wire decking is an essential part of any pallet rack configuration. At its simplest, this product is a wire mesh panel with channels welded beneath, providing capacity and stability. It creates a flat surface between beams to store pallets and products. 

To meet fire codes and safety standards, many cities require mesh decking by law. If a fire were to arise, these decks allow sprinkler system water to fall through each level of decking directly to the source of the fire. Fittingly referred to as &#;fall-through.&#;