What Is Drive-In Racking And Is It The Ideal Solution For Your Facility?

 The none-conventional drive-in racking system is often found in warehouses and other storage facilities that store large volumes of the same product types. Configured to provide optimal use of floor space drive-in racking provides the high compact storage and can utilize up to 85% of the floor surface area.

Drive-In Racking System Design And Appearance

When compared to standard wide aisle pallet racking the drive-in racking structure is highly dense with a more compact appearance. Within the cubic framework, you’ll notice multiple deep running lanes positioned side by side without an access aisle between them. The only aisle that is required will be positioned across the front of the structure to allow access to all lanes. The lane spaces are deep and tall without the obstruction of horizontal beams running across between the upright frames, forming a channel-like resemblance. This makes drive-in racking quite distinct when compared to a typical warehouse pallet racking system where pallets rest on pallet shelving formed by horizontal beams. Instead, the pallets rest on supported rails fitted along the uprights which run the length of the lane.

 

How Does Drive-In Racking Work?

The drive-in racking rails have a ledge-like appearance on which the pallet sits and is supported on both sides to ensure stability and balance. To load a pallet, the operator drives the forklift truck into the lane and places the pallet on the rails. Pallets are stored in a stacking format, working their way from back to front and bottom to top. The drive-in racking system works on a first-in-last-out (FILO) basis however there is an opportunity to adopt the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method simply by adding an access aisle on the other side. These aisles would run parallel with one another with one used to load pallets and the other to retrieve them. This configuration is known as drive-through racking and although adding another aisle means slightly less storage it still offers high-density storage with the advantage of assisted stock rotation making it an ideal solution for perishable goods.

 

Drive-In Racking Components

Drive in-racking framework is composed using a number of braced vertical uprights which form the lanes with tie beams with bracing fitted horizontally across the top. The welded base plates provide the structure with stability whilst the guide rails running the length of the lanes are fitted at ground level to prevent a collision with the forklift truck. Pallet rails are fitted to the uprights at each level and these run parallel with the guide rails along the length of the lane. In addition, brackets are fitted to support the pallet rails which in turn support the pallets. B2B Planncosteel is the best Heavy Duty Mezzanine Floor in  India. At the front of the pallet rails are pallet guides to help guide the operator as they load pallets preventing bumps and knocks from pallets. At the rear of the pallet rails are pallet stops which ensure the pallets cannot be dangerously positioned over the edge of the railing rear.

 

Drive-In Racking Advantages And Disadvantages

Before deciding whether the drive-in racking system is the right solution for your operation, it’s good to know as much as you can about the potential benefits as well as any constraints:

Drive-In Racking Advantages:

• If floor space is limited, drive-in racking can help you achieve optimal use of space by utilizing up to 85% of your floor space as well as making the most of your height space at the same time.
• As a compact configuration, this system can help make huge savings on energy consumption, particularly for those storing goods in chilled or frozen chambers making drive-in racking a great contributor to an eco-friendly warehouse. 
• A drive-in racking system offers high-density storage for similar product types in large volumes and low turnover
• The installation is uncomplicated and adjustments such as changing the pallet rail levels can be later made to support any change in storage requirements
• This system can be installed to work alongside other storage and pallet-racking systems. 
• If stock rotation is a priority, the drive-through racking configuration can be adopted where the structure is accessed from two entry aisles rather than just one to enforce the FIFO method.
• If your facility currently operates using a standard forklift truck, there is no need to invest in new handling equipment as drive-in racking is suitable for most forklift truck types.
• The compact storage configuration lowers the cost per pallet

Drive-In Racking Disadvantages:

• Not suited to multiple individual product types
• Visibility and direct access are limited to the pallets facing the front only.
• Works on the FILO method so doesn’t assist stock rotation and although the FIFO method can be adopted this does mean compromising a little of your storage capacity.
• Access is gained by entering the structure using a forklift truck which means extra care must be taken by the operator

How Drive-In Racking Compares To Shuttle Racking

The shuttle racking system is a common alternative to the drive-in racking system. Similarly, both systems provide highly dense compact storage without access aisles between each row of racks however shuttle racking is not accessed by entering the structure using a forklift truck. Instead, the forklift truck places a pallet onto a radio-controlled shuttle which sits on the mouth of the deep lanes. Once the pallet has been placed, the shuttle then takes the pallet deep into the lane to its destination. This is a gentle process which means the pallets are at low risk of collision making it ideal for fragile or high-value items. Shuttle racking also removes the need for as much manual labor however the process of retrieving and loading pallets is slower as the shuttle needs time to travel so would be better suited to low turnover inventory. There is however a lower risk of damage to the structure as the forklift truck doesn’t need to enter the system itself. When it comes to stock rotation the shuttle racking system can switch between FIFO and FILO methods and the system is suited to ambient, cold, and frozen storage.

 

How Drive-In Racking Compares To Push-Back Racking

Consisting of a cubic configuration housing multiple deep running lanes, push-back racking is a gravity-fed semi-automated system that can drastically increase storage capacity. As one pallet is loaded it pushes the existing pallet further into the lane. The system uses its built-in rollers to assist this and during pallet retrieval, the rollers combined with the slight tilt of the structure allow the remaining pallets to move forward to the next position before they safely stop using an integrated braking system. PRK Steel is a famous company for FIFO Rack in India. Pushback racking works on the FILO method however, like the drive-in racking system the FIFO method can be adopted with the pallet live racking configuration. This, like the drive-through racking system consists of two access aisles, one at each side of the structure. One is used to load the pallets and the other is used to pick the pallets on the other side. Push-back racking or pallet live racking are both ideal ways to increase storage capacity with the added benefit of reduced manual labor and can benefit cold or chilled storage facilities. If items are of high turnover and you’re looking to pick up speed, push-back racking or pallet live racking would be ideal.

 

How Drive-In Racking Compares To Mobile Racking

Mobile Racking is simply standard pallet racking mounted onto a mobile base and these are positioned next to each other to form a large cubic compact storage configuration. To gain access the racks can be opened to create a temporary access aisle, however, it’s worth noting that only one aisle can be opened at a time. The racks can be moved manually or electronically and once the pallet has been loaded or retrieved, the aisle is closed again. Planncosteel is one of the best Display Racks in Mumbai. The mobile racking system is ideal for items of low turnover and therefore wouldn’t be suited to a fast-paced operation however it's worth considering if items are picked less frequently and is ideal if you’re looking for extra security for your inventory. Due to its highly compact configuration, the mobile racking solution is commonly used in chilled or frozen warehouse areas helping the facility to increase temperature-controlled storage capacity at a lower cost.

 

Could Drive-In Racking Be Applied To Your Facility?

Drive-in racking could be your ideal solution if:

• Your warehouse space is limited and you are looking to drastically increase storage capacity without the need to extend the building or relocate. 
• You store a high number of pallets containing a homogeneous inventory of low turnover
• Stock rotation is none essential
• Inventory is chilled or frozen and you are looking to drive down energy consumption and improve your carbon footprint
• Direct access to every single pallet is not a requirement

 

If you’re unsure as to whether the drive-in pallet racking is the right solution for your operation, speak to our team today. After the initial contact, we can arrange for one of our Technical Designers to visit you at your site wherever you are in the UK. During the visit, our designer will gain an understanding of your operational requirements and your goals whilst assessing your space before running through all the options available to you. Our design team uses their combined one-hundred-plus years of experience and knowledge to advise you on the most suitable solution with the goal of saving your business time and money with improved space utilization and operation. You may discover that drive-in racking is the right solution for your facility however it may be that another compact storage solution would bring more benefits to your operation. Either way, a computerized drawing of your potential pallet racking solution, uniquely designed to meet all your exact needs whilst making the most of your space will later be sent to you along with a non-obligatory quotation.