While timber storage racking isn’t exactly the most thrilling topic in the world, getting it wrong can lead to a variety of problems, from damaged stock and workplace injuries to a sizeable amount of money going out the window. Getting it right, however, leads to a system that will quickly pay for itself.
The Problem with the Way People Normally Store Timber
The biggest problem with the way timber storage racking is normally done is the fact that timber is a difficult material to store. It comes in different lengths, different thicknesses, and different widths. Some of it is heavy, some of it will warp if you look at it the wrong way, and all of it seems to take up far more space than you’d like.
Pallet racking doesn’t really work for timber storage, and standard shelving doesn’t have the strength or height needed. This leads to a variety of “solutions” being developed, with timber storage often being done horizontally on the floor, vertically against the wall, or some other system that might have seemed like a good idea at the time.
This causes a number of different problems. First and foremost, you can’t actually see what you have. Secondly, if you want to use a particular piece of timber, you have to move all the other pieces first. Thirdly, timber storage done this way can lead to warping and other forms of damage. And fourthly, it’s just plain dangerous.
What Actually Makes Timber Racking Different
Timber merchants require high, heavy-duty cantilevered systems with long arms. They have to store everything from construction timber to hardwoods, in large quantities at times. It will be configured to accommodate different stock items, with varying arm lengths and heights. It is not uncommon to see these racks reaching up to three or four metres high.
Joinery workshops require a different type of solution. Their timber storage racking tends to be lower and more accessible. It is used more for quick access to locate items rather than storage capacity. Many joiners will have separate areas for sheet materials, timber lengths, and components.
The operations requiring the most flexible setup are often warehousing and distribution. There is a lot of movement in and out, and needs can fluctuate based on what is selling. Adjustable cantilever racking is a good option in this area, as it can be easily reconfigured without much hassle.
The construction supply industry has its own set of challenges; for example, bulk storage is needed but also easy access for quick loading of goods. A drive-through cantilever arrangement is quite common, allowing forklifts to access goods on both sides of the storage racking.
The Details That Actually Matter
While the arm capacity is obvious, the deflection rating is also quite important. The arms of the racking system will bend slightly under the weight of the items stored; thus, a high deflection rating can lead to timber rolling off or the system becoming unstable in the first place.
The column spacing has implications for how much lateral support your timber items can have. Obviously, longer items require closer spacing of the columns to prevent sagging of the timber items. Most racking systems allow for this to be adjustable; however, it is worth considering what is most likely to be stored in the system.
The length of the arm is also important in relation to the timber items stored; for example, the length of the arm should be enough for the length of the timber items but not too long, wasting valuable storage space or reducing the overall capacity of the system.
Making It Work in Practice
What most people get wrong is buying a system based on their current needs, but businesses grow, and what works today may well be unsuitable two years from now. Add some flexibility into your racking system, like more holes drilled into the columns for adjusting the arms, and the ability to increase the capacity of the racking system as your needs increase.
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