Selective Pallet Racks: Made up of upright columns, cross braces and shelf beams, this simple system forms a storage level which allows loads to be placed. A single row of selective pallet rack can be accessible from both sides.

Moveable Shelf Racks: Movable shelf racks have the same basic features as selective pallet rack, the only difference being that the shelves are adjustable allowing shelving to be changed to match the loads being placed on it. The shelves can also be used as pallets when not in use.

Drive-In and Drive-Through Racks: This style rack allows fork lift truck operators to drive through or into the rack unit. This reduces the amount of aisle space taken up by the rack unit. Drive-In and Drive-Through racks are made up of anchored and braced upright columns attached at the top with load rails attached to the upright columns. Drive-In rack only allows one entry point while Drive-Through rack is accessible from both sides.

Stacker Racks: Also known as AS/RS and high rise racks, these racks have a much taller footprint than their standard rack counterparts. Some systems are built up to 100′. Stacker racks incorporate a fixed track design that that can service systems much higher than standard lift equipment. Many times these systems are constructed with the building to from r rack supported building.

Cantilever Rack: Cantilever rack is a basic rack system that is made up of two vertical columns attached to two load bearing arms. This type of rack works well with long items including, sheets of wood, pipe, and carpet rolls.

Pallet Flow Racks: Pallet flow racks use the same basic framework as selective rack but have inclined conveyor wheel sections running from front to back. The pallets are loaded at one side of the rack and selected from the other. This is an excellent system for fast moving products and allows the first loaded pallet to be the first taken pallet, great for products with an expiration date.

Stacking Racks: Stacking Racks allow pallets to be stacked on top of each other. Quickly disassembles when not in use.

Choosing and setting up shelving can be a difficult task. There are many steps involved and poor decisions can lead to damaged products or serious injuries. Following the steps below will make purchasing and installing shelving easier.

1. Codes: Before installing shelving it is very important to check federal, state, local, fire and building codes. Many times your shelving supplier or local municipal engineer can help you with code compliance.

2. Layout: Consider all dimensions of shelving, keep in mind the width and turning radius of fork trucks.

3. Shelf Selection: Carefully consider the load that is going to be placed on the shelving. Multiple stacking of items is acceptable but will reduce post capacity. Also keep in mind that shelves are rated using evenly distributed loads. Deflection must also be considered, some deflection is acceptable but might be unwanted due to functionality or aesthetics.

4. Upright Post Loading: After selecting a shelf, select the upright posts. Remember that as distance between shelves increases the capacity of posts decreases.

5. Bracing: Side and back bracing prevents sway and lateral movement. There are many types of bracing available including bars, straps or angles placed in an “X” shape. Bracing must be placed in the proper position to be effective. Any reputable shelving distributor should be able to assist you with shelving bracing.

6. Plumbness: Installing shelving on an uneven surface can reduce the overall load rating. Use shims to keep your shelving plumb on an uneven floor.

7. Anchoring: Anchoring is one of the most important shelving components. Without proper anchoring shelving can overturn or shift position. The most popular anchoring system is a steel footplate attached to the vertical post with a bolt running through the footplate to the floor. Another less common method is to attach the shelving unit directly to the building. A qualified engineer must check the building’s structural integrity before using this method of anchoring.

8. Collision Protection: Material Handling vehicles pose a risk to all types of shelving systems. Collisions can not only knock items off the shelves but may permanently damage and reduce the load capacity of the shelves. Corner protectors and guards do a good job of keep fork trucks, stackers, and pallet jacks away from expensive shelving.

9. Floor Protection: The type and capacity of the floor the shelving system is mounted to also plays a role in determining the overall capacity of a shelving unit.

10. Concentrated Loads: All theoretical load capacities are based on the idea of an evenly distributed load. Unfortunately, a perfectly evenly distributed load doesn’t exist in the real world. A non-evenly distributed load will put more stress on the shelf. Most manufacturers factor in this variable but it is important not to stretch the capacity.

11. Impact Loading: Dropping an item on a shelf creates an impact. Impacts are not part of an evenly distributed load and can cause failure if care is not taken. Reinforcements or angles can help with impact loading.

12. Maintenance: Shelving should always be inspected for loose bolts, damaged posts or shelves and proper seating of shelves and clips.

This shelving system is a two level unit used in a Midwestern Harley dealership.

A local government houses their electronic voting machines on Lyon Shelving. A much better solution than stacking equipment.

Row upon row of Lyon shelving holds industrial supplies for large distributor.

To get the most out of your shelving it’s important to have an efficient layout and design. In addition to selling high quality shelving Material Flow has a staff of shelving experts than can assist you in determining the best layout for your business.

Shelving

The simplest form of storage, shelving keeps products or supplies off of workbenches, tables or the floor. Shelving also keeps items closer to eye level making inventory, products or supplies much easier to find.

•Open Shelving: Ideal for packaged stock. Offers high visibility for items without assigned shelf locations

•Closed Shelving: Adds protection against dust & sunlight. Also used to separate storage and work areas.
•Pre-Engineered Rivet Rack: Use for merchandise displays, storing packaged goods, or holding large cartons of equipment and supplies in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities.

•Bulk Storage Rack: Great for storing cartoned merchandise in shipping and receiving departments. Can also be used for display racking in furniture and department stores and storage of medical and dietary supplies in hospitals.
•Chrome-Plated Wire Shelving: Provides access from all four sides with high visibility and maximum ventilation. No dust or dirt build up, improved sprinkler access enhances fire safety.
•Storage & Display Bins: Ideal for storage and display of parts, small bulk items, or packaged merchandise in repair shops, garages, parts and tool rooms, machine shops, etc.

Cabinets

Cabinets perform the same basic function of shelving but features doors that can hide unsightly items in public areas.

•Standard Cabinets: Time tested design, great for storing supplies, inventory or products.
•Drawer Cabinets: Perfect for small parts or tools.
•Bin Storage Cabinets: Keeps small parts together in bins.
•Safety Cabinets: Designed for the storage of chemicals or flammable items.
•Mobile Cabinets: Cabinets with wheels make for easy transport.

Lyon Mezzanines are one of the most cost effective investments a company can make. A mezzanine can double floor area, provide twice the number of “picking fronts” and offer twice the cube utilization. Another benefit of mezzanines is the cost. A typical mezzanine offers three times the space of a new building for the same amount of money. Because mezzanines aren’t stand alone structures they offer several tax benefits as well as increased depreciation. Mezzanines are great for using space that would otherwise go wasted. They can be placed above existing shelving or racking and add even more storage through the use of drawers, shelving, or cabinets.

Building Requirements
Mezzanines require a ceiling height of at least 14″ floor loads in excess of 150 lb. per square foot, a minimum of obstructions in all three dimensions and a building lease that allows modifications and customization. Dual level sprinklers are usually required and changes to lighting, HVAC, and other systems are typically needed. Attaching a mezzanine to a building makes it under the jurisdiction of local building codes.

Use
Adding a mezzanine will change the handling methods used by operators and should be considered when planning and designing a mezzanine. The best way to setup materials with a two level setup is to keep fast moving product families on the lower level and slow moving product families on the top. The biggest mistake made with two level storage is to only split up slow and fast moving products without thinking about keeping similar product families together. Access to mezzanines can be accomplished using ladders and stairways. Materialflow.com has a huge selection of OSHA approved ladders.

If your warehouse or plant is in need of more space consider a mezzanine. It’s much cheaper than buying new land and you can take it with you if your business ever moves. A great place to purchase mezzanines is Materialflow.com. They have a large selection and a great staff that knows the ins and outs of material handling. Give them a call at 1-800-338-1382.

One of the most important steps in reducing picking time at a warehouse or production plant is to optimize your shelving and order picking systems. Here are some tips for getting the most efficient shelving layout possible.

• Look at the parts being stored and figure out the best spot for picking.
• Divide parts into groups of small, medium, and large as well as light average and heavy.
• Store large lightweight items above the operator’s shoulder.
• Store small average weight items between the should and hip of operator so products are easily located.
• Put large heavy items at the bottom of shelving unit. This allows operator’s to lift products using their legs or lift equipment.
• 80% of activity occurs within 20% of inventory. Place high activity items between the workers hip and shoulder.

A wide array of shelving systems, including bin shelving, is available at Lyon-Shelving.com.

This athletic facility above is equipped with Lyon lockers that feature roomy full height compartments for uniforms/clothes, plus a lockable compartment for personal effects

These lockers were installed at a Texas High School. New lockers can really improve the visual appeal of any building.

Lyon Lockers are available in a wide range of colors to match any color scheme and feature rugged paint that is resistant to chipping and peeling. These lockers were installed at a Florida Middle School.

The popularity of computers and other portable devices helped convince one school to order 450 lockers with electrical outlets that give students a secure place to charge and store their electronics. Proof that Lyon Lockers are changing with the times.

These ventilated Lyon Lockers help reduce odor in a high school gym.

Schools aren’t the only ones using Lyon Lockers. This install was done in a fire station. The lack of doors allows fire fighters to quickly access their equipment.

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