Narrow Pallet Racking UK FAQs
Looking to maximise warehouse space through narrow aisle pallet racking? We’ve answered some of the most common questions below.
For anything else, please get in touch with The Logical Storage Solutions team.
What Is Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking?
Narrow Aisle pallet racking is a high-density storage system designed to operate with reduced aisle widths of between 1.6 and 2.1 metres. It uses standard selective racking frames and beams, but allows significantly more racking runs to fit within the same warehouse footprint compared to conventional wide aisle systems. Specialist narrow aisle reach trucks or turret trucks are used to retrieve and place pallets safely within the tighter aisles.
How Does Narrow Aisle Racking Differ From Wide Aisle Racking?
The key difference is aisle width and storage density. Wide aisle racking typically requires aisles of 2.5 to 3.5 metres to accommodate standard counterbalance forklifts. In contrast, narrow aisle systems operate in aisles of 1.6 to 2.1 metres.
This reduction in aisle width means more racking can be installed within the same floor area, increasing storage capacity by as much as 40 to 50 per cent without expanding the building.
What Equipment Is Needed For Narrow Aisle Racking?
Narrow aisle racking requires specialist handling equipment capable of operating safely in reduced aisle widths. This typically means narrow aisle reach trucks or articulated forklifts, which are designed to place and retrieve pallets at height within tighter spaces. Standard counterbalance forklifts used in wide aisle warehouses are not suitable for narrow aisle operations. Businesses upgrading to a narrow aisle system will need to factor in equipment costs or leasing arrangements as part of the overall project.
How Much Space Can Narrow Aisle Racking Save?
By reducing aisle widths from the 2.5 to 3.5 metres required by wide aisle systems down to 1.6 to 2.1 metres, narrow aisle racking can increase the number of storage locations within a given warehouse footprint by 30 to 50 per cent. The exact figure depends on the size and layout of the building, but for most warehouses, the space saving is substantial enough to defer or eliminate the need for building extensions or relocation.
Can Narrow Aisle Racking Be Reconfigured Or Extended?
Absolutely. One of the practical advantages of our narrow aisle racking is that it uses standard selective racking components, which means the system can be extended, reconfigured or adapted as your storage requirements change. Additional bays can be added to existing runs and beam heights can be adjusted to accommodate different pallet sizes. If your warehouse layout changes over time, sections can also be relocated. This flexibility makes narrow aisle racking a sound long term investment for growing businesses.
I Am Unsure Whether Narrow Aisle Pallet Racking Is The Right Storage Solution For My Warehouse - Can You Help?
Yes! At Logical Storage Solutions, we supply racking systems ranging from the narrowest of systems to wide aisle systems.
When you contact us, we can arrange a site survey to determine the best racking system for your warehouse, whether this is a narrow aisle racking system or something else.
The aspects we’ll look at include your inventory (pallet size, weight, SKU variety) and stock rotation method (FIFO or LIFO). Also, a practical consideration is your available warehouse space, including ceiling height and aisle width.
You should also consider your handling equipment, as different forklifts require different aisle sizes and decide whether accessibility or storage density is more important. For example, selective racking offers easy access, while systems like drive-in or narrow aisle racking maximise space.
Finally, factor in your budget, future scalability, and safety requirements to ensure the system is both efficient and compliant.
Where Do You Install Narrow Aisle Racking?
Logical Storage Solutions installs narrow racking in storage warehouses and similar industrial units across the UK.
We often work in the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ of logistics, including locations such as Coventry, Derby, Leicester, Lutterworth, Northampton, Nuneaton, Rugby, Tamworth and Wolverhampton.
Our narrow aisle racking is also in locations such as Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Hemel Hempstead, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Loughborough, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Peterborough, Slough, Thurrock, Warrington and Watford.
Need narrow aisle racking, but based elsewhere in the UK? Please contact us as we may still cover your area.
