2 Tier Racking Shelving Systems

2 Tier Racking Shelving Systems

What exactly is a raised storage area, and what benefits does it bring? A raised storage area, or tiered storage structure as it is most commonly known, is a raised platform rack or shelf mounted structure independent of the host building structure.

It is supported by either pallet racking or shelving to eliminate the need for a structural floor. It increases floor space and optimises storage capacity by using the height of the building.

SPECIFICATION
What standards should they be built to?

Tiered storage structures must comply with Building Regulations and require approval by the building control body and your local fire authority.

What load can they bear?
Typical rack or shelving mounted structures allow for between 3.5 – 5 kN per square metre. However it is possible to design in greater floor loading although this will incur greater costs and may add limitations to the structure.

What sizes, formats and configurations do tiered storage structures come in? Are they an 'off the shelf' product, or are they all tailored to order?
Tiered storage structures are all bespoke to meet customers’ individual needs. They are available in a wide range of floor areas, from 10 m2 to well over 15,000 m2.

What materials are they made of?
The walkways within tiered structures can either be supported by angles fixed to the front face of the rack or by purlins to allow greater spans of walkways. The flooring material can be specified as particleboard typically 38mm thick or open grid steel flooring, the depth of which can be varied to allow for various floor loadings. Benefits of particle board flooring include the option to add decorative or non slip floor surfaces which can be laid on top. If there is a very large area of flooring with particleboard it may be a requirement of the building regulations that the underside of the particleboard floor be fire protected to Class O flame spread resistance. Benefits of open steel flooring include increased spread of lighting from the floor above and water penetration for the operation of sprinklers.

How much do tiered structures cost?
In general terms it is more economical to use a rack or shelf mounted structure than a mezzanine floor. However, a mezzanine floor (if fitted with a suspended ceiling and column protection) will negate the need for a sprinkler system which will ultimately decrease the overall cost.

How do you incorporate lighting into the tiered structure?
It is fairly normal with tiered structures for the lighting supports tobe incorporated into the structure. It is usual on all raised storage areas to specify a lighting level of 300 lux along with emergency lighting.