Pallet racks have long been used to maximize storage space in warehouses and distribution facilities. The choice of wire mesh decking, which serves as a platform for storing containers or non-palletized items in combination with palletized products, is an essential part of the industrial warehouse storage system. Decking lowers the possibility of products falling by expanding the number of contact points between the commodity being placed and the storage media, thereby boosting overall warehouse safety. Of course, not all decking options are made equal. Wire decking is one of the most flexible and economical options.
The Advantages of Wire Decking
Excellent tensile strength: Advanced wire decking with channel supports can handle over 2,500 pounds of material.
Easy installation: Installing the wire decking system doesn’t need any tools— all it needs to be put in place, flat with the beams.
Safety: When compared to robust decking such as wood or steel, the low surface area of wire mesh significantly prevents the collection of dust and dirt, decreases the quantity of proper maintenance done in accordance with local health and safety regulations. Furthermore, in the event of an emergency, water from fire sprinklers can pour through the mesh, alleviating the necessity for in-rack fire prevention systems.
Tips to Choose Wire Mesh Decking
Once you’ve decided that wire deck is the right approach for your warehouse or distribution centre, you’ll have to figure out which solutions will perform effectively for you. Here are a few factors to look at while deciding on the appropriate wire decking for your purpose.
What exactly are you storing?
When choosing wire decking, the weights and overall dimensions of the commodities that will be kept on it are the most crucial considerations. Wire decking is not built to hold the entire weight of a pallet (point load) unless specially constructed to do the same and can deform or break under load. This poses a serious safety concern and is among the most prevalent errors we observe in the workplace.
What will you do with your wire decking?
Will you be keeping big pallets, small pieces of equipment, or individual cases? All of the following can be accommodated by pallet racking, but it is critical that you examine the overall use of decking in your structure. There are also other attachments available, such as dividers that attach to the wire deck itself to aid in organization. If order sorting and picking is your planned usage, you might want to consider angling the wire mesh decking to make it simpler to access commodities.
What kind of storage media will the wire decking be used in?
Is this wire deck intended for bulk storage or pallet racking? If pallet racking is the solution, is it structural or roll-formed? Manufacturers’ overall measurements of their beams (horizontal members) and uprights (vertical members) can vary marginally, so double-check the measurements to secure a suitable fit. HMLWires has several years of expertise and experience in manufacturing different storage and material handling solutions such as roll container, mesh container, tire rack, etc.
Where will the wire decking be installed?
Is the metal decking going to be used in cold storage?
Will it be placed outside or in a location with fruit and vegetables?
In most cases, typical paint finishes such as backed on or powder-coated enamel will work. But galvanized or stainless steel should be explored in locations where oxidation or moisture are a problem.
Another factor to consider is whether wire deck channels must be reversed or turned on its head. By flipping the wire decking line, you can assist reduce moisture, dirt, dust, and another waste build-up. To maintain a better atmosphere, this approach is often encountered in the food storage business.
Selecting the best decking for your storage container may appear simple, but as you’ve discovered, there’s a lot to consider. Even once you’ve decided on a type of decking, such as wire mesh, it’s critical to analyse your complete application to assure the greatest solution for your facilities. HMLWires’ experts have years of expertise planning and engineering wire decking for a wide range of applications and situations – give us a call or send us an email today.