Pallet Racking Supplier UK FAQs
Do you want to know more about our pallet racking supply and installation services? We hope you’ll find the above queries useful.
For anything else, or to get a free quote, please call us on 0845 689 1300.
How Do I Find A Reliable Pallet Racking Supplier?
Start by checking how long a supplier has been operating and whether they can show examples of completed installations similar in scale to your own. A reliable supplier will want to visit your site before quoting, rather than pricing from a floor plan alone, since load capacity, floor conditions and building height all affect what's achievable.
It's also worth asking whether they handle both supply and installation, or just one. A single point of contact for design, supply and fitting reduces the risk of miscommunication between separate contractors. Ask to see evidence of installer competence and public liability insurance, and check whether they offer any aftercare, such as inspections or repairs, once the system is in place.
What Should I Look For In A Pallet Racking Supplier?
Look beyond price and consider the supplier's process. A good pallet racking supplier will carry out a proper site survey covering floor loading, aisle widths, ceiling height and handling equipment before recommending a system, rather than working from assumptions.
Check their product range too. A supplier who only offers one racking type will fit your requirements to their product, rather than the other way round. Ask about lead times, installation timescales and how they handle site access and health and safety during the fit-out. Finally, consider what happens after installation: suppliers who offer racking inspections and repairs give you a single point of contact for the lifetime of the system, rather than needing to source a separate specialist later.
How Long Does Pallet Racking Installation Take?
Installation timescales depend on the size of the warehouse, the type of racking specified and how many bays are being installed. A small single-aisle installation might be completed within a few days, while a full warehouse fit-out across multiple aisles can take several weeks.
Factors that affect the programme include site access, whether the warehouse is operational during installation, and the complexity of the racking system itself. High-density systems such as drive-in, push-back or VNA racking generally take longer to install than straightforward selective racking, due to the additional guide rails, shuttles or track systems involved. A detailed installation timeline should be agreed with your supplier as part of the site survey and quotation process.
Can I Get Pallet Racking Installed In An Operational Warehouse?
Yes, pallet racking can be installed while a warehouse remains operational, though this requires careful planning to manage safety and minimise disruption. Installation is often phased, working through one section or aisle at a time so that stock and operations can continue in unaffected areas.
Experienced installers will agree a sequence of work with you in advance, including how site access, forklift movements and stock relocation will be managed during each phase. Working hours can sometimes be adjusted, with installation taking place outside of core operating hours or at weekends, to further reduce the impact on day-to-day activity. Discuss your operational constraints with your supplier at the site survey stage so the installation plan works around your business.
Do I Need Planning Permission For Pallet Racking?
In most cases, pallet racking does not require planning permission, as it's considered internal fixtures and fittings rather than a structural building change.However, building regulations may apply depending on the height and loading of the racking, particularly for high-bay systems, and a structural assessment of the floor and building may be needed.
If your installation involves changes to the building's structure, such as mezzanine floors or alterations to fire escape routes, additional consents may be required. Your pallet racking supplier should be able to advise on which regulations apply to your specific installation and can work alongside your building control body where necessary to ensure the system meets all applicable requirements.
What Is Pallet Racking?
Pallet racking is a structural storage system designed to hold palletised goods in a warehouse or distribution centre. It allows stock to be stored vertically across multiple levels and accessed by forklift truck or reach truck.
The system consists of upright steel frames connected by horizontal load beams, forming open bays into which pallets are placed and retrieved individually or in bulk, depending on the system type.
It is the most widely used form of industrial storage in the UK and is available in a range of configurations to suit different pallet sizes, handling equipment, stock profiles and throughput requirements.
P.S. If you need any assistance understanding how pallet racking works or the different types available, please contact our friendly team for advice.
How High Can Pallet Racking Go?
Pallet racking can be built to virtually any height that the building's clear internal dimensions and floor loading will permit. Standard manufactured upright frames available up to around 10000mm and bespoke heights achievable beyond that for tall distribution centres and high-bay warehouses.
In practice, the maximum usable height will depend on the clear height of the building to the underside of roof steels or sprinkler systems, the maximum lift height of the handling equipment in use and the floor's load-bearing capacity.
To give you an idea, most conventional UK warehouse installations operate racking between 4000mm and 8500mm, while purpose-built high-bay facilities can reach 30 metres or more using automated storage and retrieval systems. Applicable safety guidelines, along with a structural engineer's assessment, should always inform the maximum height specification for any new installation.
Contact us today to arrange an assessment of your site, which will enable us to determine the dimensions of your pallet racking.
How Do I Choose From The Different Types Of Pallet Racking?
Choosing the right pallet racking system requires careful consideration of several interconnected factors.
At Logical Storage Solutions, this is exactly where our experts are here to help!
A good place to start is the dimensions and weight of your unit load, as pallet size determines frame depth and bay width, while load weight governs the required beam and upright specification. The internal dimensions of the building are equally fundamental, with clear height, column positions, floor flatness and load bearing capacity all directly influencing what is achievable in terms of racking height, bay configuration and aisle layout.
Your stock profile and rotation requirements will steer the choice of system type, with high SKU counts and frequent picking activity pointing towards selective racking and bulk, low-variety stock potentially justifying the higher density of drive-in or push-back alternatives.
The handling equipment already in use or budgeted for the new installation is a critical constraint, as aisle widths must be matched precisely to the operating envelope of the forklift or reach truck specified.
Finally, budget should be considered alongside long-term value and flexibility, as a system designed with future growth in mind will almost always prove more cost-effective than one that needs to be replaced or significantly modified as the operation expands.
What Should I Look For When Choosing A Pallet Racking Supplier?
A reliable pallet racking supplier should be able to do more than sell you a system off a price list.
Look for a supplier that carries out a site survey before recommending a solution. For instance, at Logical Storage Solutions, we assess aspects such as racking load capacities, aisle widths, floor conditions and ceiling heights.
Aftercare matters too: a supplier who offers inspection services and ongoing maintenance support is worth more long-term than one focused purely on the initial sale.
At Logical Storage Solutions, we supply and install pallet racking across the UK, handling everything from initial design through to commissioning and post-installation inspections.
How Do I Find A Pallet Racking Supplier Near Me?
So long as your business is based in the UK, Logical Storage Solutions can provide pallet racking supply and installation services in your location.
Most businesses searching for a local pallet racking supplier are primarily concerned with lead times and site visit availability rather than strict geography. However, a national supplier with strong logistics coverage can often match or beat a purely local option. If you need a site survey arranged quickly, contact our team today so we can discuss your requirements and get a visit booked in.
How Much Is Pallet Racking?
As you can appreciate, it’s not possible for us to give a fixed cost for pallet racking, since so many types exist. Not only this, but the price will depend on other factors such as the bay dimensions, load capacity and the complexity of the installation.
However, we can advise you that selective racking is one of the more cost effective types of pallet racking. On the other end of the scale, VNA or drive-in racking tends to carry a higher price per pallet position due to the precision engineering and specialist installation involved.
The most reliable way to establish an accurate price range is to commission a free site survey from The Logical Storage Solutions team. Once we have an idea of your requirements and your budget, we can then show you all the available options and provide a detailed quotation.
How Often Should Pallet Racking Be Inspected?
There are several types of pallet racking inspections that are guided by both the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and SEMA (Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association).
Pallet racking must be inspected by a qualified external expert annually. However, more frequent inspections also need to take place. This includes daily inspections to check for any visual signs of damage or obvious issues such as overloading. Once a week, more detailed pallet racking inspections should also be carried out by a trained PRRS (Person Responsible for Racking Safety).
Additional safety inspections are required if pallet racking sustains any damage (i.e. due to forklift impact). Also, if any other circumstances occur, which could mean the safety or integrity of the racking system may be compromised.
It’s also good to note that the requirements differ around the world and are also subject to change. For this reason, it is important to seek qualified advice relevant to your location and the current standards which apply.
What Is The Difference Between A Pallet Racking Supplier And A Pallet Racking Installer?
A supplier provides the physical racking components, i.e. the frames, beams, wire decks, footplates and associated accessories.
An installer carries out the erection and commissioning of the system on site.
Some companies operate as one or the other. However, at Logical Storage Solutions, we can provide both services. Buying through a combined supplier and installer means your system is designed, specified and built by the same team, which reduces the risk of compatibility issues or responsibility gaps. It also means any post-installation queries such as load notices or future reconfiguration requests are handled by people who already know your installation.
Where Do Logical Storage Solutions Supply & Install Pallet Racking Systems?
Logical Storage Solutions are UK based pallet racking suppliers. We offer our pallet design supply, design and installation services nationwide, including Nottingham, Birmingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, London, Hull and many more.
Based elsewhere in the UK? Not a problem! Our friendly team are waiting to help on 0845 689 1300.
