INDUSTRIAL STORAGE RACKS AND WAREHOUSE RACKING SYSTEMS
Why Buy Your Industrial Storage Racks From Platforms and Ladders
Platforms and Ladders has been in the industrial equipment business since 2014. Here's what that means for you:
We ask before we quote. The people answering the phone will find out what you're storing before they give you a price.
Build what you need. Uprights, arms, beams, and braces are sold separately, so you can configure a system for your space instead of settling for a kit that half-fits.
Fair pricing. Identical items are price-matched, and we shop freight rates instead of marking them up.
Government-ready. Order through GSA contract 47QSWA22D006L under CAGE code 80DC4.
Supplier diversity. We're MBE certified, if that's part of your requirements.
Call (888) 802-3651 or fill out a contact form with your material sizes and weights, and someone will spec out your storage racking system and quote the freight. While you're planning the layout, keep in mind that we also carry rolling ladders for reaching upper rack levels and pallet trucks and tuggers for moving loads into the bays.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not directly. OSHA has no standard requiring a load rating on racking, so it cites rack hazards under the General Duty Clause and points to the industry standard, ANSI MH16.1, as an acceptable way to fix the problem. That standard calls for permanent plaques showing the maximum permissible unit load or uniformly distributed load per level, the average unit load where it applies, and the maximum total load per bay. Each plaque must be at least 50 square inches in clear, legible print. For shelving and smaller systems, OSHA expects you to follow the manufacturer's stated limits.
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Yes. ANSI MH16.1 requires every pallet rack column to be anchored, including interior columns, not just the ones along the aisle. The base plate and anchors handle the forces at the bottom of a column, where a seismic event or forklift strike shows up first. Base plate size and anchor count vary widely, from a small single-anchor plate on a short run to a 12-by-12-inch plate on tall systems in seismic zones. The manufacturer or engineer specifies the anchor size, quantity, and which holes in the plate to use.
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Usually, and it depends on two separate thresholds. Many jurisdictions require a building permit once fixed racking passes 8 feet or is anchored to the slab or building frame, typically with sealed drawings and load calculations. Separately, the fire code treats storage as high-piled combustible storage once the top of the load passes 12 feet, or 6 feet for high-hazard commodities like Group A plastics, rubber tires, and idle pallets, which brings sprinkler review, flue spacing, and commodity classification into it. Some jurisdictions set the bar lower, so check with your local building and fire officials before you order.
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Leverage. The farther the load sits from the column, the more bending force it puts on the arm and the connection, so the rated capacity drops even though the steel is the same. On heavy-duty uprights, an 18-inch arm is rated around 2,500 pounds, a 36-inch arm around 1,200, and a 48-inch arm around 1,000. Heavy-duty and extra-heavy-duty arms of the same length raise those numbers, which is often the better fix when you need the reach but can't give up capacity.
Our Cantilever Racks and Pallet Racking enable you to store long stock items such as bars, tubing, pipe, lumber, boxes and pallets off the floor of the warehouse. Loading the racks and racking is easy with the help of a forklift. When assembling Cantilever Racks, by using the pre-drilled holes in the uprights and a key lock, you choose the height of the cantilever arms up and down the full length of the upright. Lips on the arms help prevent product from falling off the ends of the arms. Similarly, when assembling Pallet Racking, shelves on pallet racking can be easily set at different heights by installing the step beams higher or lower on the frames.
Choose between Medium Duty Cantilever Racks and Heavy Duty Cantilever Racks based on the weight of your stored products. We also offer extra heavy duty cantilever rack arms on our heavy duty line of racks. If the stored product is round and has a tendency to roll, consider purchasing 10 degree inclined arms for your cantilever rack system. Need something more custom? Let us work with you to design a Custom Cantilever Rack system for your work space. For lightweight items, consider using our economical Horizontal Bar Racks.
Select Pallet Racking instead of Cantilever Racks for storing products on pallets or in boxes. For decking of Pallet Racking, we offer wire decking, crown decking and open area decking. If you are only going to put pallets on your racking, you may want to consider Pallet Support Bars as an economical alternative to decking. Keep in mind that Pallet Support Bars are designed for use with pallets and not boxes. Pallet Racking can be along a wall or back to back in the middle of your warehouse. Through the use of frame spacers, you can plan a 6" space or a 12" space between the racks that you place in the middle of your warehouse.
Vertical Sheet Racks provide storage for lightweight sheet materials such as sheetrock, particle board or plywood. These racks can be stacked 2 high and have integral fork tubes for easy mobility with a forklift. Horizontal Sheet Racks also store sheet materials, but are not stackable and do not have integral fork tubes. These sheet racks are designed to remain in place utilizing the lag down points.
Gas Cylinder Storage Cabinets are available in high visibility yellow powdercoat and provide safe storage of gas cylinders in both horizontal and vertical positions. Because they have lag holes in the floor of the cabinet, they can and should be anchored to the floor. Different sizes are available based upon quantity of gas cylinders to be stored.
Flammables Safety Cabinets are also available in high visibility yellow powdercoat. They can reduce the likelihood of flammables igniting if a fire breaks out in the shop or warehouse. These cabinets are available with manual doors and with self closing doors. All of our Flammables Safety Cabinets meet OSHA and NFPA code 30 design standards.
Security Cabinets constructed of wire grid sides deter theft of high value tools and inventory. The wire grid allows for quick inventory of the cabinet's contents. They are available in both single and double hinged door models (with cylinder lock) and are galvanized for resistance to rust.
Portable Security Cabinets also deter theft of valuable inventory and tools, but also offer cabinet mobility with four 6" x 2" molded on rubber casters. Caster brakes reduce movement when the cabinet needs to be in a stationary position.
Storage Lockers are available in 1 door and 3 door configurations. One of the configurations may be ideal for your storage need or for the storage needs of your employees.
If employee lockers are needed in sanitary locations (such as the medical or food industries) or corrosive environments (such as in the chemical industries or around swimming pools), our line of Stainless Steel Locker may offer the solution.
Shelves made of stainless steel are also available and they come in 2 different versions. The version named Stainless Steel Shelving does not have adjustable height shelves. The version named Stainless Steel Shelves with Rivets does have adjustable height shelves.
Wire Cages are available for storage of items too large for our Security Cabinets. These Wire Cages are available with and without ceilings. Choose between sliding door or hinged door models based upon your location.
Storage Sheds are great for tools and supplies both indoors and outdoors. Because they are constructed of zinc plated steel, they are resistant to corrosion from the weather.
Since our Storage Buildings are made with galvanized corrugated panels, they can be used both indoors and outdoors for storing tools and supplies. Their wooden floor keeps the contents of the Storage Building off the ground.
Similar to our Storage Sheds and Storage Buildings, our line of Storage Shelters can be used both indoors and outdoors and will likely save you hundreds of dollars when compared to constructing a similar shelter out of wood.
Please remember, if you do not see a material storage product appropriate for you needs on the web site, please call us. What is shown on our web site are only our most popular material storage products. We have many other choices available by phone.
Contact us today for answers to your material product storage questions, obtain a freight quote or to purchase some type of material storage today.
When it comes to material storage, our products are some of the most dependable, durable, long-lasting, and safest on the market. At Platforms and Ladders, our team is committed to helping each customer by finding the product that works best for them. Safety, versatility, and customizability are our main concerns. We understand that each customer is different which is why we offer a variety of products, many of which are fully customizable. Choose between a cylinder cabinet built to OSHA and NFPA standards for secure storage, or a folding security truck for safe and easy transport. Or select any of our custom-built storage racks, stainless steel lockers, storage shelters, or shelving units. Whatever your needs, our team is ready to assist you. You will always receive competent and personalized service that will help target your company’s specific needs. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you with your Material Storage needs.