The Case for Wide Span Shelving

Why and Where do I use Wide Span Shelving

Wide Span Shelving is a niche material handling and storage system that bridges the gap between pallet racking and conventional shelving, such as boltless or bolted shelving systems. Wide Span Shelving was designed to meet the distribution needs for bulk storage and manual handling. This includes high, wide or any bulky hand-loaded items. It is also commonly referred to as Heavy Duty Shelving and Baby Rack. Wide Span Shelving is mostly used in the following applications;

  • Parts and supplies
  • Manufacturing (parts)
  • Retail Display
    • pet supplies
    • record storage
    • mechanics and garage storage
  • Museums

The applications are numerous; basically any product storage that does not require being palletized. These industrial shelving units are completely free standing and do not require back bracing, so products can be accessed from all four sides making them ideal for industrial, commercial, office and record storage applications. Wide Span Shelving is often overlooked by Warehouse Managers, thinking that pallet racking is the obvious choice, but no, wide span offers a better and more economical solution than pallet racking.

Wide Span Sizing – A size for every application

  • Available width: 36”, 42”, 48”, 60”, 66”, 72”, 96”
  • Available depth: 12”, 15”, 16”, 18”, 24”, 30”, 32”, 36”, 42”, 48”
  • Available height: 36”, 48”, 60”, 72”, 84”, 96”, 108”, 120”
  • Maximum Capacity: 1400 lb
  • Post: 12 gauge steel
  • Available shelves: Wood, steel mesh, steel

Wide Span Shelving Components

There are not all that many components to a Wide Span Shelving unit. Six basic components that snap and fit into place with no bracing to add and no hardware. That makes for easy assembly!

wide span shelving unit

Posts: A 14 gauge roll formed post with 2” slots to allow easy adjust-ability of the unit’s height. Splice posts together to create a mezzanine catwalk system.

Wide Span Shelving Post
Wide Span Shelving Post

Frame Connector: Frame connectors are used to connect posts together from front to back. Refer to capacity charts to determine the number of connectors required.

wide-span-frame-connector
Wide Span Shelving Frame Connector

Beams: 2” profle beams made of 13 gauge steel are the main shelf support. Available in a variety of widths and capacities.

wide-span-beam
Wide Span Shelving Beam

Foot Plates: Foot plates are used to anchor the units to the foor. Highly recommended for units of 8 feet or taller.

wide-span-foot-plate-wide
Foot Plates

Tie Bars: Tie bars are designed to avoid buckling on longer beams. Placed between the two beams, they will also increase the capacity of the level.

wide-span-tie-bar
Wide Span Tie Bar

Wood Decking: Wood shelves for our wide span line are available in a multitude of sizes to meet your requirements. We also ofer wire mesh or solid steel shelves.

wide span wood shelf
Wood Decking for Wide Span

About:

Kevin Ausman is the founder of Canadian Rack Technologies. He has over 30 years of experience in providing safe and efficient turn-key storage solutions and he specializes in pallet racking, pick systems, industrial shelving, mezzanines, cantilever racks, and more. Kevin is dedicated to providing great customer service, listening to client’s needs, and supplying the best products available.

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