Forklift Aisle Dimensions For Material Handling and Storage

Posted on May 4, 2012 by egenova

In a warehouse environment, it is virtually impossible to carry on everyday operations without the use of forklifts. This is why knowing the forklift aisle width is a crucial part of your warehouse’s overall storage/material-handling strategy. Aisle width decisions must be made with the goal of successfully combining space utilization, flexibility, productivity, and safety for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.

Companies pay for warehouse space by the square foot. Because of this, proper and efficient use of allocated warehouse space reduces the amount of space required and hence lowers cost. Failing to consider proper aisle width configurations to optimize the

Forklift Aisle Dimensions

performance of forklifts in your warehouse can be detrimental to the overall work process and can ultimately prove very costly.

Three Common Aisle Widths

When constructing rack storage to maximize the available space in a warehouse, there are several factors to consider in establishing aisle widths to accommodate the various types of forklifts.

Wide Aisles are used primarily for counterbalanced forklifts. In general, when sizing a lift truck, such as a sit down 4-wheel or 3-wheel fork truck: Head length of the lift truck (meaning the distance from the back of the forklift to the front of the load back rest) plus length of load (the length of the pallet down the stringer) plus 12″ for maneuverability plus 6″ pallet overhang.

Keep in mind that pallets sit on a beam and overhang the beam by 3″ (usually if it’s a 48″ long pallet). Generally, 4-wheel counterbalanced trucks have aisles sized for 12 to 14 feet. With 3-wheel counterbalanced forklifts, many warehouse managers use 11- to 12-foot aisles, and for standup counterbalanced trucks, 10.5 feet to 11.5 feet.

Narrow Aisles refer to reach trucks and deep reach trucks. Generally, narrow aisles are thought of as 9-foot aisles. However, it is important to size the aisle both for storage and productivity when using reach trucks.

Very Narrow Aisle trucks operate in aisles less than 6′ and often use guidance systems like a wire, rail system, or an optical system, to travel within the aisles. There are different types of VNA trucks, such as order selectors, swing mast, and turret trucks. Turret trucks use 30%-40% less aisle than a narrow aisle reach truck, but the cost of the truck can be double.

Rack Storage Construction and Aisle Width

The above is an approximate guide for the various types of forklifts. Keep in mind that “clear aisles” means the dimension between pallets stored in the aisle. This is generally 6″ narrower than where the rack is placed in what is known as rack-to-rack or steel-to-steel aisle dimensions.

Considering aisle width in your rack storage construction configuration is critical to ensure that your warehouse space is being used in the most cost-effective and efficient way. Take a close look at your rack storage and your aisle widths to ensure optimal performance and effective use of warehouse space.

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How a Mezzanine Can Benefit Your Business

Posted on April 25, 2012 by egenova

http://blog.shelfmaster.com – Shelf Master, Leading industrial shelving experts in Anaheim, CA explain how a mezzanine can benefit your business. To learn more about Mezzanine’s and Shelf Master, visit our website at http://www.shelfmaster.com

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What is Warehouse Order Picking?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by egenova

Warehouse order picking, one of the most important–and involved–parts of warehouse operations, accounts for as much as 55% of the total warehouse operating expense. Thanks to the high cost involved in this process (also known as order fulfillment), as well as the significant connections between order picking and customer service and satisfaction, a number of improvements to the process have been introduced. These processes can help your company expedite and streamline this critical warehouse function.

Types of Order Picking

There are four main types of warehouse order picking, each with its own streamlined

Warehouse Order Picking

procedure. Choosing the correct system for your needs depends on a number of factors, including the characteristics of the product, the total number of transactions, picks per order, quantities per pick, and more. When implemented correctly, choosing the type—or the combination of types—that best suits your needs will contribute to a more effective order picking process and a more cost-effective method of order fulfillment.

  1.  Piece picking or picker to part method. In one of the most common methods of order picking found in warehouses today, the order picker or pickers moves to collect the products necessary for one order. The storage area can be either forklift-based or built to be more specialized with features like gravity flow racks, which expedite the picking process by holding the most frequently ordered items. There is also a picking area and a material-handling system used to refill the picking locations from the storage area. The storage area contains the items used for order fulfillment. Rather than having to go to the general warehouse area to find order items, the picking operator simply goes into the storage area to fill an order. This method expedites the order picking process and helps with overall productivity.
  2. Part to Picker method. The part to picker method employs the same physical locations as the picker to part method—storage area, picking area and a material-handling system that moves the items from the storage area to the picking area. However, in this method, the picking area is made up of a series of picking bays, also known as zones. The items are moved from the storage area and delivered to the picking bays, which receive items for one or more orders.
  3. Sorting System method. This method uses an automatic material handling system consisting of multiple conveyors and a number of sorting devices. There is no movement from order pickers involved in this method. The items are placed on a conveyor in the storage area and sorted for each particular order. The operator in the picking area collects the items that have been sorted for a customer order and processes that order. Because operators have no need to physically fill the order, the sorting system method is one of the most efficient.
  4. Pick to box method. In the pick to box method, the picking area is organized so that there are a number of picking stations connected by a conveyor. The order picker fills the box with the products from his station and the box moves to the other picking stations until the customer order is complete. Once again, there is no need for operators to physically fill the order, which significantly expedites the picking process.

The ability to quickly and accurately process customer orders has become an essential part of doing business. It is critical that you choose the right method of warehouse order picking in order to rise above your competition and succeed.

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Forklifts Aisle Dimensions for Material Handling and Storage

Posted on March 26, 2012 by egenova

In a warehouse environment, it is virtually impossible to carry on everyday operations without the use of forklifts. This is why knowing the forklift aisle width is a crucial part of your warehouse’s overall storage/material-handling strategy.  Aisle width decisions must be made with the goal of successfully combining space utilization, flexibility, productivity, and safety for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness.

Companies pay for warehouse space by the square foot. Because of this, proper and efficient use of allocated warehouse space reduces the amount of space required and hence lowers cost. Failing to consider proper aisle width configurations to optimize the performance of forklifts in your warehouse can be detrimental to the overall work process and can ultimately prove very costly.

Forklifts

Three Common Aisle Widths

When constructing rack storage to maximize the available space in a warehouse, there are several factors to consider in establishing aisle widths to accommodate the various types of forklifts.

Wide Aisles are used primarily for counterbalanced forklifts. In general, when sizing a lift truck, such as a sit down 4-wheel or 3-wheel fork truck: Head length of the lift truck (meaning the distance from the back of the forklift to the front of the load back rest) plus length of load (the length of the pallet down the stringer) plus 12″ for maneuverability plus 6″ pallet overhang.

Keep in mind that pallets sit on a beam and overhang the beam by 3″ (usually if it’s a 48″ long pallet). Generally, 4-wheel counterbalanced trucks have aisles sized for 12 to 14 feet. With 3-wheel counterbalanced forklifts, many warehouse managers use 11- to 12-foot aisles, and for standup counterbalanced trucks, 10.5 feet to 11.5 feet.

Narrow Aisles refer to reach trucks and deep reach trucks. Generally, narrow aisles are thought of as 9-foot aisles. However, it is important to size the aisle both for storage and productivity when using reach trucks.

Very Narrow Aisle trucks operate in aisles less than 6′ and often use guidance systems like a wire, rail system, or an optical system, to travel within the aisles. There are different types of VNA trucks, such as order selectors, swing mast, and turret trucks. Turret trucks use 30%-40% less aisle than a narrow aisle reach truck, but the cost of the truck can be double.

Rack Storage Construction and Aisle Width

The above is an approximate guide for the various types of forklifts. Keep in mind that “clear aisles” means the dimension between pallets stored in the aisle. This is generally 6″ narrower than where the rack is placed in what is known as rack-to-rack or steel-to-steel aisle dimensions.

Considering aisle width in your rack storage construction configuration is critical to ensure that your warehouse space is being used in the most cost-effective and efficient way. Take a close look at your rack storage and your aisle widths to ensure optimal performance and effective use of warehouse space.

Visit our website today for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Protecting Your Modular Office: Guard Rail Protection

Posted on March 12, 2012 by egenova

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect a modular office is to install guard rail protection around the perimeter of the space. When used in high traffic, well-populated work areas, a guard rail can be an economical yet valuable safeguard against accidents in the workplace.

 In addition to providing the industrial shelving Anaheim warehouses and other areas throughout the country can find useful, Shelf Master is a leading provider of guard rail

Guard Rail Protection

protection for modular office spaces as well as other applications. Here are some benefits to installing guard rails in your work area.

Why Guard Rail Protection Works

  • Employee protection. Employees feel safer in the facilities where they work when guard rails are in place to protect them in potentially dangerous areas, such as walkways and high-traffic areas. Guard rail protection prevents unnecessary accidents in the workplace and the high costs associated with on-the-job injuries.
  • Facility protection. Facility managers can obtain personnel protection simply by providing a guarded path of travel to keep employees safe in high-traffic areas. Remember, guard rail protection doesn’t just protect employees; it protects the business as well.
  • Equipment protection. Installing a guard rail around essential equipment and heavy or dangerous machinery can be a crucial safety feature in a modular office. Guard rail protection can also be valuable in keeping people at a safe distance from dangerous equipment.
  • Storage rack protection. You can save the expenses of replacing pallet rack, push back rack, drive in system, or shelving by installing a barrier to avoid the ramming of such racks. A guard rail can help protect storage racks and reduce repair or replacement costs.

Shelf Master Guard Rail Protection

Shelf Master, a leading provider of industrial shelving and other warehouse planning applications, works with several of the most reputable manufacturers of guard rail protection systems in the industry, names such as Lyon, Allied Modular, Hallowell, WireCrafters and AMFI. They use strong and sturdy materials that complement even the most complex modular office installations.

Visit our website today for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Product Highlight: Modular Offices Anaheim

Posted on March 5, 2012 by egenova

Is your company suffering from growing pains? Do you need workspace now but don’t have the time for lengthy and messy construction? For many Anaheim area companies with the same problem, setting up prefabricated modular offices in Anaheim locations was the perfect solution to their immediate, short, or long-term workspace needs.

No matter the location, you, too, can reap the benefits of storage and space-saving installations like industrial shelving and modular offices.

Modular Office Benefits

Modular Offices Anaheim

 

Whether you need warehouse offices or an office space inside your company building, modular offices are much like any other modular wall system–easy to install, less expensive and more versatile. Check out some of the benefits of modular offices.

 

  • Quick to install. Not only are modular offices quick to install but they are incredibly easy to design as well. There is virtually no downtime and you can place the system anywhere.
  • No patching or painting. Modular wall systems are prefabricated, so there is no need for patching, painting or messy building materials to get in the way.
  • Built to last and easy to move. UL classified wall systems are durable, efficient, and attractive as well as being 100% re-usable and re-locatable.
  • Custom designed to fit your needs. Whether a one story partition or a two-story mezzanine extension, modular offices are available in a wide variety of colors and facings, as well as options and accessories. Capabilities and functions of the systems include integrated electrical, phone, and data options, to give you many choices for all your project applications.
  • Cost-efficient and a time saver. Modular offices save time and money while creating needed spaces, whether a warehouse office or even protection for complex electrical systems.

 

Shelf Master: Your Modular Offices Anaheim Dealer

Shelf Master, a leader in industrial shelving and warehouse industry storage and space applications, is your modular offices Anaheim dealer. Visit our website today for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Warehouse Planning: How To Order Pallet Rack Wire Decks

Posted on February 20, 2012 by egenova

When thinking about warehouse planning, pallet rack wire decks ensure the safety and efficiency of the shelving system. The key to ordering and incorporating the proper wire decks into your warehouse’s industrial shelving plan include understanding benefits, and how they can ultimately save time/money for your company.

The Benefits and Types of Pallet Rack Wire Decks

To order pallet rack wire decks, first examine the advantages of having them in your warehouse. For instance, wire decks improve overall safety by providing full deck coverage, so pallets sit safely in the rack. In addition,  the open mesh design of wire decks increase fire safety, thus lowering insurance premiums.

How To Order Pallet Racks

While all wire decks offer the same benefits, remember not all wire decks are created equal. There are several types you can choose from, including:

  • waterfall deck — While this is common for roll form beams, since roll form type beams are most commonly used, there is also a type for structural beams. In this type of wire deck, the meshing wraps over the beam.
  • Inside waterfall deck — This type of decking hides the “mesh waterfall” inside the step beam. This is the ideal type of pallet rack wire deck for those craving a cleaner, unobstructed look.
  • Flat deck for roll form or structural beams — Flat decking lacks a bend at each end of the meshing when it reaches the beam. This comes in roll form or for structural beams.

How to Order the Right Pallet Rack Wire Deck

There are certain key considerations to bear in mind when preparing to order wire decks. Discuss with your professional supplier the types of decking available and, once you’ve determined what type will meet your needs, have the following information ready when you order:

  1.  The manufacturer of your rack — that is, the brand of the rack you will be ordering.
  2. Length of beam —  inside the uprights. The most common length is 96 inches.
  3. The type of beam you have — roll form usually has a step, whereas structural does not.
  4. The dimension of the out-to-out beams, which is the common depth of the rack — for instance, 42-inch deep for 48-inch deep pallet.
  5. If you have a roll form beam —  the inside dimension of the step.
  6. The weight of the pallets to determine the capacity of your wire decks — the most common wire deck is 42 inches deep by 46 inches wide. There are two decks per beam level.

 Shelf Master Can Help You

The team at Shelf Master has been helping warehouses and storage facilities with their pallet rack wire deck needs. Call Shelf Master today for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Safety: Fire Protection Systems and Pallet Racks

Posted on February 13, 2012 by egenova

As issues of fire safety compliance become more prominent in warehouse and storage facility maintenance, it is important incorporating fire protection systems as a part of industrial shelving units when storing materials. Just as local buildings require structural calculations and drawings by a registered engineer, a “High Pile” storage permit requires a professional fire consultant, knowledgeable in the local fire codes.

What is “High Pile” Storage?

“High Pile” combustible storage, defined by most fire codes, contains closely packed piles of combustible materials on pallets, racks, and shelving where storage  exceeds 12 feet in height. When high-hazard commodities are involved, such as Group A plastics, rubber tires and flammable liquids, the minimum height for  drops to 6 feet.

Fire Protection Systems

Those involved with high-piled storage, whether for new projects or existing warehouses, should be aware of the complex issues involved. If ignored early in the process, potential difficulties revolving around fire protection systems turn into very expensive and difficult propositions.

Code Requirements for Fire Protection Systems Anaheim

Most codes require an operational permit if over 500 ft.² of high pile storage is present in a building. These permits are often regulated by fire departments and cannot transfer to new tenants or building owners; the required protection depends on the proposed storage commodity, height, and method of storage, which allows each individual case to be reviewed for compliance.

Responsibility of the client

Many clients sign a lease for a warehouse/storage facility just to face the requirement of a high pile storage permit. Even with a new facility, those responsible for obtaining permits may not know the requirements. In the worst case scenario, an entity will sign for a building with inadequate fire protection, requiring a major upgrading (and unaffordable!) expense simply because the company was unaware of the codes.

Automatic fire-extinguishing systems are typically provided using an automatic sprinkler system. Common installations include ESFR (Early Suppression Fast Response) sprinklers, specifically designed for the protection of storage, or standard ceiling systems with in-rack sprinklers systems.

Shelf Master: Experts in Fire Protection Systems

With years of experience in industrial shelving, pallet racks, and fire protection systems, Shelf Master can guide you through the process of obtaining the right fire protection systems Anaheim or any other area you require. Call us today for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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Introducing Shelf Master Product Lines

Posted on February 7, 2012 by egenova

Shelf Master product lines meet and exceed the most challenging shelving needs for uses ranging from retail to warehouse. As one of the leading  of industrial shelving, Shelf Master prides itself in the quality of their products, offering shelving solutions for every industrial need.

  •  Shelving. As the shelving solutions experts, Shelf Master handles several different shelving designs, from boltless to steel,towire shelving. We work with well-respected manufacturers and makers, including Rivetier 1&2, Rapid Rack,

    Shelf Master Product Lines

    Tennsco, Pacific, Deluxe, Lyon, and Metro . We also carry a large inventory of used shelving to provide you with the most comprehensive variety of solutions in the market.  Wire shelving

  • Pallet Rack/Cantilever Racks. Shelf Master has a large selection of new/used pallet racks to meet your warehouse needs and budgeting. As industry professionals, we are experienced in many different applications ranging from selective rack and push-back systems, to drive-in systems and flat deck mezzanines. We also provide cantilever rack for those long bulky materials requiring more than a pallet rack system. We work with industry giants such as Hannibal Industries, Interlake, Mecaluxe, and Unarco.
  • Mezzanine/Catwalk Systems/Carton Flow. Mezzanine/Cat Walks systems are useful applications also done by Shelf Master. Depending on your needs, Shelf Master can design flat Decks Mezzanines with either a structural system or pallet racking. We also offer Catwalk systems, which can be designed using boltless shelving or steel shelving, depending on your location’s specific needs. Shelf Master can also provide carton flow systems, whether you are working with pallet racks, shelving, or just need a stand-alone system.
  • Safety Products. Shelf Master provides a wide selection of warehouse safety products for every application including flammable cabinets, rolling ladders, guard rails, forklift work platforms, and workstation mats. 
  • Shop Equipment. Shelf Master goes beyond shelving needs to help you with general warehouse needs, such as pallet jacks, wire partitions, storage cabinets, lockers,  carts, large and small part bins, and workbenches.

 Learn the Shelf Master difference today. Call us today at (877) 282-1661 for a quote and join us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Product Highlight: Mezzanines and Catwalk System

Posted on February 3, 2012 by egenova

Limited space in a warehouse or storage facility certainly poses a challenge in day-to-day operations. A catwalk system or mezzanine can be a cost-effective solution, maximizing existing space by expanding storage capabilities and easing the burdens of a limited storage area.

As a leader of industrial shelving solutions, Shelf Master understands the challenges of working inside a limited space on a budget, and explains the benefits of mezzanines / catwalk systems as a solution to shelving and storage needs.

Catwalk System Options  

Mezzanine and Catwalk Systems

 

If you’re faced with the challenge of storing in a limited area, there are a couple of versatile mezzanine and catwalk system solutions to facilitate you. Catwalk systems are easily designed to meet your custom needs. They can be quite the economic alternative to expanding your operation, while saving you both the time and money required to relocate to a larger facility.    large amounts of inventory

Boltless systems are easier, faster, and less expensive to assemble than most available systems. The low-profile solution is ideal for small lightweight material, giving you the option to add as many shelves as your material requires. Bulk storage systems are ideal for the heavier, larger materials. In many cases, a system with a combination of both can be designed.

 These systems are available in various materials, with particle board, fire retardant board, or wire shelves. Wire shelves are most commonly used for highly combustible material, allowing water to drop directly through the shelving.

Mezzanine and Catwalk Systems

 Steel shelving systems offer the same options as the boltless low-profile system, while providing open and closed units for materials needing to be separated at all times. Strong, sturdy, and durable, steel shelving systems are a versatile option designed to maximize your storage space while reducing expansion costs.

 Learn more about Catwalk Systems

Shelf Master understands the challenges of cost-effective space management in a storage setting, and as a result provides you with the most efficient, cost-effective alternatives for mezzanine and catwalk system storage available. Call us today for a quote at (877) 282-1661 and join us on Facebook and Twitter!

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