In today’s blog, I’ll be looking into why builders merchant racking is the only solution for storing building supplies and materials.

The Challenge

If you run a busy builders merchant, you’ll know all about the wide range of items that need to be stored- from lengths of timber to gateposts, pallets of bricks or bags of cement. All this stock needs to be held securely in bulk. 

To add to this challenge, you may also be squeezed into a small warehouse or yard, with a frequent turnover of stock requiring quick access around the clock. Not to mention the busy vehicle movements in the area, which can often cause accidental damage to anything in the way. 

With all these constraints and considerations, a basic shelving unit or simply leaving the stock in situ on its’ pallet just won’t cut it. You need a storage solution that maximises floorspace, is strong enough to take several tons of weight, and is resilient enough to withstand frequent loading, unloading- and the occasional knock or falling load. 

For this, the only storage you should consider is pallet or cantilever builders merchant racking. 

Pallet and Cantilever Racking

Most items or stock that you need to store will be delivered in bulk on a pallet or in a stacked and strapped bundle. These two discreet stock types need their own storage solutions. 

Pallet Racking

Pallet racking is, as the name suggests, designed to store whole pallets of stock. It has smooth ‘shelves’ to allow easy setdown and uplift, a large (yet variable) distance between shelves to accommodate full pallets, and the ability to hold heavy loads.

These are superior to conventional racking, which may not have deep enough shelves or enough space between them to accommodate a standard pallet; conventional racking would also likely not have a Safe Working Load (SWL) capable of holding several pallets of stock at once. 

Painted in a variety of hard-wearing coatings, pallet racking is suitable for indoor and outdoor use—as long as the shelving material is also suitably weather-resistant. 

Cantilever Racking

While still within the context of builders merchant racking, cantilever racking offers a super-durable storage solution that is perfect for stock and produce held in longer lengths, such as timber rails, joists or purlins, pre-fabricated steelwork, or sheets of manmade fibre board or engineered board such as MDF, chipboard, or plywood—basically anything that is long and can be stacked.

Like pallet racking, cantilever racking can be utilised indoors or outdoors depending on finish and specification. 

Cantilever builder’s merchant racking is specifically designed to store extra-long lengths of stock without battling against vertical support posts. Because of this absence of vertical steelwork, almost any length of stock can be stored. 

Much like pallet racking, cantilever racking allows easy access to stored stock and facilitates fast loading and unloading with a forklift.

Our pallet racking is slightly different to others that you’ll see around the UK. The arms are not bolted to the uprights. This has a few advantages:

• If an arm gets hit by a forklift, there is often enough movement to prevent any damage.
• If the arm gets damaged, it is quicker to swap them.
• It dramatically reduces the chances of a damaged upright (which is the most expensive component to replace)

The design that we use is in the red. The arms are restrained by a clip which stops them falling out, but doesn’t prevent them moving if knocked.

Builders Merchant Racking- Things to Consider

While the choice of storage solution ought to be obvious, there are some aspects that you should consider. 

Customisation and Accessories

Regardless of which type of builders merchant racking you install, there are many additional features that you may wish to consider.

• Frame protectors are high-visibility plastic or steel fabricated protectors that mount at floor level. They offer a sacrificial element to take the brunt of any impact, saving the structural element of the racking supports. Unlike the racking, frame protectors are easily replaced when damaged, and there is no loss of product. 
• Rack end protectors work in the same way as frame protectors. However, they extend across the entire width of the builders merchant racking and are mounted a short distance from the base of the racking, protecting from most ground-level impacts across the whole end section. These can come in the form of sheet or extruded/pressed steel, as well as thicker tubular sections. Similarly designed and constructed guards are available to protect the corners of racking installations. 
• Recycling and general waste sacks: These durable waste sacks, which can be hung from the racking itself, eliminate trip hazards and speed up waste containment and removal. They also remove the need for a floor-based refuse bin, freeing up thoroughfares and improving waste segregation. Thus, they allow more efficient waste disposal and compliance with EU and UK waste disposal legislation. 

Installation

Some builders merchant racking systems can be installed by the end user. However, due to the taller stature of both pallet and cantilever racking and the weight of the cantilever supports, we recommend a professional installation carried out by your racking supplier or another qualified third-party installer. 

This way, you can ensure the racking is correctly installed, ensuring service life and maintaining manufacturers’ warranties. This also prevents you from having to manage any complicated work-at-height risks and organise associated permit requirements. 

Maintenance and Inspection

Once installed, your racking will look after itself…(if it is never used, held in the dry and never sees passing vehicles or mobile plant). 

I’m guessing however you need to use your racking. So there’s a possibility that over time the racking may deteriorate from over or improper use, exposure to natural elements, or from being struck by vehicles or falling loads. 

Due to this, we recommend that you inspect your builders merchant racking on a regular basis, and also have it thoroughly inspected by a SARI (SEMA approved racking inspector) in line with SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association) guidelines.

This will ensure that issues with your racking are promptly and properly identified, and can be addressed before they deteriorate or cause further problems or incidents. 

Builders Merchant Racking From Ashford Retail

It’s simple enough to decide whether to opt for pallet racking or cantilever racking. The type of stock you wish to store determines this almost immediately. Most stores we work with actually use both.

There are other constraints to consider, however, such as the weight of the loads to be stored, their size, and whether they need to be stored indoors or outdoors. These can be difficult to achieve, but they are crucial to get right. 

If you need help specifying the right type of builder’s merchant racking for your business, as well as any installation, maintenance, servicing, or SARI inspections, contact our team today.