When you purchase pallet rack from Warehouse Rack & Shelf LLC you have five decking options: No decking, Crossbar pallet supports, solid corrugated steel decking, smooth metal decking and wire mesh decking.
Warehouse safety and liability is vulnerable to the structural integrity of the pallet when pallets are loaded directly on the beams. Wire decks are the ultimate safety solution.
Other safety liabilties that you incur include: pallets are too small or improperly placed or installed to fit the rack system. Pallet supports allow smaller items to fall through to the floor. When using pallet supports pallet loads should be shrink wrapped and you should be very concerned with pallet load containment and confinement.
Wire decking provides the solution for safer support of pallets in a selective rack system. Wire decking is the ultimate safety solution.
Wire decking can reduce insurance rates and meet many fire codes including: National Fire Protection Association: Code 13 (2007), 3.9.38, A.3.0.3.6, A.3.0.3.7, FM Global & Factory Mutual 2.2.
Wire decking reduces fire hazard. The problem with solid shelving (particle board, plywood, smooth metal decking & corrugated steel decking) is that it hides and spreads fire. Flames grow undetected and are obscured from water. In many cases wire decking eliminates the need for costly multi level sprinklers.
Benifits of wire decking include:
Wire decking is a versitle storage option
Capacity ratings with engineered safety factor
Meets fire codes (NFPA Code 13 (2007), F.M. 2.2)
Saves on insurance premiums versus solid decking
Often times conforms to national and local codes
Offers greater visability of product in rack
Gives you a brighter cleaner warehouse
Includes custom options and accessories
Solves problems and promotes safety
Wire decking is offered with three styles of channel supports welded to the bottom of the wire deck:
1. (S) Step style channel supports for standard 1-5/8" step beams
2. Universal fit (F) Flared style channel supports for standard 1-5/8" step beam, Shallow 5/8" step beams, box beams & structural C-channel beams.
3. Inverted channel supports for the food industry. U-shaped channel faces downward so that food particals cannot gather in the channel supports. Inverted channel wire decking also offers greater capacity.
Wire decking is offered with three styles of mesh decking:
1. 1-1/2" Waterfall on front & back of wire deck.
2. Inside Waterfall style wire decking doesn't have a 1-1/2 waterfall on front and back of beam. Inside waterfall wire deck doesn't have a waterfall. Inside watefall wire decking sets down in the step of the beam and sets flush with the top of the beam.
3. Wire decking with 1-1/2" waterfall on front & INVERTED waterfall on back. Inverted waterfall on back of wire deck creates a light duty backstop.
*We specialize in custom wire mesh sizes.
Wire mesh decking includes the following wire grid patterns:
2" x 2" wire grid.
2" x 4" wire grid.
2.5" x 4.5" wire grid.
*We specialize in custom wire grid patterns.
Wire mesh decking is offered in the following wire gauges:
4 GA, 5 GA & 6 GA wire
Load capacity definition is a maximum recommended uniformly distributed static load independent of the support system.
Load capacities range from 1500 lbs., 2000 lbs., 2500 lbs., 3000 lbs. capacity or greater per deck (EDL) based on evenly distributed loads.
ANSI Standard MH26.2 Details say that the design shall be based up determination of capacity and allowable deflections. Designs shall be based upon uniformly distruted static loading. While welded wire rack decking is generally designed for static uniformly distibuted loads, manufacturers may be able to provide designs suitable for static concentrated loads upon special request. Welded wire rack decking may not be suitable for dynamic loading.
Uniformly distributed load by definition 3.1.12 is any static load whic is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the deck independent of the support system. The load needs to be within 2" of each beam but does not have to rest on the beams. Examples of non-uniformly distributed loads include line loads, concentrated loads and point loads. All loads other than uniformly distributed loads may require special designs.
A line load by definition is a load that distributes its weight in a concentrated line vs. uniformly distributed load. Line loads could cause the wire to carry the entire load (without support from channels) and increase risk of failure.
A concentrated load by definition are any static load which is not uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the decking. An example would be a 2500 lbs. barrel placed in the center of the deck.
A point load by definition is a load that has its weight on individual points vs. uniformly distributed load. An example would be a wire container with the feet as four contact points. All the points could be potentially on the wires only versus wires and channel supports.
Wire decking has an acceptable rate of deflection. Acceptable channel deflection (according to RMI and ANSI standards) is L/165 (in this case it’s depth divided by 165). So if your upright depth is 42”, acceptable channel deflection is .25”.
Caution: Wire decking is not designed to be walked on. Walking creates dynamic point loads, far from an evenly distributed load.
It is important to use ANSI certified wire decking. Would you purchase a pallet rack system that did not meet the RMI standards? Why would you purchase a deck that id designed, built or rated by something other than the published standard?
For more information please visit: http://www.mhia.org/psc/PSC_Products_racks_TechnicalPapers.cfm
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