Pallet rack backing is an industrial pallet fall protection solution that attaches to the back of pallet rack bays. This safety solution prevents falling pallets or products and protects warehouse employees, guests, and inventory. Pallet fall protection solutions include standard wire mesh rack backing, warehouse safety netting, pallet stops, and more.
Rack back panels mount directly to the back of a pallet rack system and prevent items from falling or being pushed off the shelving. Companies that utilize rack backing typically see up to a 70% decrease in the amount of damaged product.
This safety component is essential for storage systems above pedestrian walkways, forklift traffic zones, or other sensitive operations where people or machinery may be present. Manufacturing, distribution, and warehouse facilities are most likely to require rack backing to protect the bustling operations below. Warehouses located in seismic zones may also require rack-backing solutions to adhere to local warehouse safety codes.
As nationwide distributors of pallet rack backing, we can help you improve your warehouse safety. We work with multiple pallet rack back manufacturers to provide a proper fit for every rack system. Please keep reading to learn more about our pallet rack safety backing solutions. Call 800-722-5908, or click the button below to get a quote today!
Pallet Rack Safety Backing
Safety of Employees and Guests
Pallet rack backing plays a crucial role in averting falling pallets. These industrial panels prevent potential safety hazards in work or packing areas. Rack-back systems establish a safety layer of protective panels that shields employees from falling products or pallets.
Inventory Protection
Pallet fall prevention solutions, like rack backing, protect your products by promoting proper pallet stacking and storage habits. Proper loading techniques reduce the likelihood of crushing and deforming underlying products. Industrial rack back panels secure your products by limiting unauthorized access and protecting your products from falling off the rack system.
Workplace Improvement
Pallet rack safety backing improves warehouses, promoting a neat, safe, and orderly workplace. Wire mesh rack backing offers a clean, professional look to your rack system, instilling confidence in visitors and employees alike. This solution does not affect cooling, heating, or lighting.
Pallet Rack Fall Protection Solutions
- Wire Mesh Backing
- Warehouse Safety Netting
- Solid Steel Backing
- Plywood Backing
- Perforated Backing
- Sliding Mesh Panels
- Solid Plastic Backing
- Pallet Stops
Wire Mesh Backing
Wire mesh pallet rack backing comes in two main styles — woven wire mesh and welded wire mesh. Woven wire mesh is made by weaving wires together in an over/under pattern to create a flexible wire mesh panel. Welded wire mesh is formed by welding the wire intersections, resulting in a rigid, high-strength mesh panel. Both have benefits, but welded pallet rack backing is typically the more robust and durable pallet rack back option.
Woven and welded pallet rack backing provides a definite stop to pallets and cannot be torn or ripped by sharp items. Rack backing attaches to the back of a pallet rack bay with brackets or bolts and can be adjusted as needed.
Warehouse Safety Netting
Warehouse safety netting is another rack guard solution comprised of heavy-duty, nylon mesh or polypropylene (plastic) netting rather than solid panels. Safety netting is less sturdy than solid rack backing but provides an essential barrier between heavy pallets and passing pedestrians.
Safety netting is also used in other areas throughout the warehouse. Safety netting for warehouse racks attaches to the back of a pallet rack bay, while loading dock nets protect pallets, carts, and personnel from the open door space and keep freight from impeding dock doors. Finally, skylight safety nets fit snugly to raised-lip skylights or hatch openings, protecting roof workers from potentially deadly falls.
Solid Steel Backing
Solid steel rack backing provides strong full coverage for pallet rack bays. These solid steel panels are ideal for systems storing loose or small items that could otherwise slip through mesh rack backing or netting.
Perforated Backing
Perforated rack backing is perforated steel panels that provide a substantial barrier while retaining visibility. Perforated backing is ideal for applications where visibility is essential, like retail storage, order picking and fulfillment centers, and high-turnover warehouses.
Sliding Mesh Panels
Sliding mesh panels are a flexible rack back option offering easy product accessibility. These sliding wire mesh panels are a great fit for fast-paced warehouses with frequently changing inventory.
Solid Plastic Backing
Solid plastic rack backing is corrosion-resistant and often found in cold storage applications or other humidity-prone and corrosive environments.
Pallet Stops
Pallet stops, or pallet back stop beams, are metal beams that attach to the back of a pallet rack bay, providing a hard stop for pallets and preventing overhang. Pallet stop beams do not provide full bay coverage, so they are explicitly meant for palletized products, not loose parts or small products.
Rack Back Guard Applications
We previously mentioned that distribution and manufacturing are two of the primary sectors requiring pallet rack fall protection solutions. However, many applications benefit from the added safety. This list is not exhaustive – work with your design expert to determine if a rack backing solution is right for your application. Common rack back applications include:
Distribution Centers
Retail Storage
Manufacturing Facilities
Automotive Parts Storage
Food and Beverage Storage
Pharmaceutical Storage
Cold Storage Facilities
E-commerce Fulfillment Centers
Heavy-Duty Industrial Storage
Chemical and Hazardous Material Storage
High-Tech and Semiconductor Storage
Pallet Rack Backing Advantages
- Code-Compliant: Rack backing meets ANSI MH31.1-2019 standards for containment panels used in material handling applications. These systems are NFPA compliant, keeping open flue space and allowing flames to vent up rather than out.
- Secure: Heavy-duty rack backing instantly increases warehouse safety and prevents falling pallets above pedestrian walkways or work zones.
- Visibility: Open wire mesh, perforated rack backing, or netting does not obstruct the view and allows good lighting and sprinkler access.
- Versatile: All pallet rack fall protection systems attach to the front, back, end, or side of the racking for various valuable configurations.
- Easy Installation: Whether clipped in or bolted with offset clips or standard mounting brackets, rack backing is quick and easy to install and reconfigure as needed.
- Customizable: Various customizations include color, material, finish, style, attachment method, placement, different-sized panels, and more. Work with a design specialist to determine your storage system’s proper customized rack backing.
Pallet Rack Backing Manufacturers
The following pallet rack back manufacturers offer high-quality safety panels. See the manufacturers of these products below and get a quote today:
- BeastWire Mesh Guarding
- Husky Rack & Wire
- WireCrafters
- Folding Guard
- Bluff Manufacturing
- Carron Net Company Inc.
- Gourock
- US Netting
- InCord
- Industrial Netting
- Adrian’s Safety Solutions
Pallet Rack Backing Installation
Pallet rack backing panels are quick and easy to install. Horizontal panels stack one above the other, while vertical panels hang side-by-side until they reach the desired coverage height or width. Both vertical and horizontal rack back panels bolt directly to the pallet rack uprights with mounting brackets.
Choose between a flush mount or offset mount, depending on your product and pallet overhang needs. Offset brackets or “spacer brackets” create a 1″ to 12″ gap between the racking and the rack back panels, leaving room for proper pallet overhang. “Above the Top” mounting kits allow panels to extend above the top beam level for full system coverage.
The standard angle frame design further speeds installation by giving installers clear access to hardware.
How Much Does Rack Back Guard Cost?
Standard wire mesh rack backing costs around $400-$600 per 4′ high x 8′ wide panel. This is a reasonably common rack back panel size to cover a standard 8′ bay. Other types of rack backing come at their own cost, and customizations can influence the final price.
If you want pallet rack back guard solutions, call 800-722-5908 today or fill out our online quote form! We offer quick-ship pallet rack backing nationwide to meet your needs!
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