Improving your pallet rack systems with pallet rack backing is an easy way to protect employees, guests, and your inventory. There are two main types of rack backing — wire mesh backing and warehouse safety netting. As Minnesota-based distributors of pallet rack backing and safety netting, AK Material Handling Systems in Maple Grove, MN, can help you begin your quest to improve your warehouse safety.
We work with multiple pallet rack back and safety netting manufacturers to provide extensive rack back offerings and ensure a proper fit for every rack system. Keep reading to learn more about our pallet rack safety backing solutions and get a quote today!
Pallet Rack Backing Vs. Warehouse Safety Netting
Pallet Rack Back Guard
Pallet rack backing comes in two main styles of wire mesh design — 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 created by welding the wire intersections together, resulting in a rigid, heavy-duty mesh panel. There are benefits to both, but welded pallet rack backing is typically the stronger and more durable pallet rack back option.
Both 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 and can be adjusted as needed.
Warehouse Safety Netting
Warehouse safety netting is another rack guard solution comprised of heavy-duty, nylon mesh or plastic netting rather than steel mesh panels. Safety netting spans the entire bay and is designed to catch falling products. This rack back option is not as sturdy as welded wire mesh 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.
The Benefits of Pallet Rack Backing
Heavy-duty woven or wire mesh provides a definite stop to pallets
Open mesh pattern design does not obstruct view and allows for good lighting and sprinkler use
Quick and easy installation
Customizable
Meets ANSI MH31.1-2019 standards for containment panels used in material handling applications
Instantly increases warehouse safety
NFPA compliant, keeping open flue space and allowing flames to vent up rather than out
The Benefits of Warehouse Safety Netting
Nylon mesh or plastic netting provides a soft stop to falling pallets and boxes
Open mesh pattern design does not obstruct view or flue spaces and allows for good lighting and sprinkler access
Quick and easy installation
Customizable
Serves multiple uses throughout the warehouse
Instantly increases warehouse safety
Attaches to the front, back, end, or side of the racking for a variety of useful configurations
Our Pallet Rack Backing Partners
- 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 and Safety Netting Systems
Safety of Employees and Guests
Pallet rack backing and safety netting help prevent pallets from displacing in a rack system and becoming a safety hazard. Oftentimes, work or packing areas are placed near pallet rack systems, putting employees at risk of falling pallets or products from the rack above. With a rack back system, the galvanized wire mesh panels or heavy safety netting provide a safety layer between employees and the products or pallets.
Inventory Protection
Rack backing and safety netting protect your products by promoting proper stacking on the pallets, thereby reducing the likelihood of crushing and deforming underlying products. The wire mesh panels or netting secure your products by limiting unauthorized access and protecting your products from falling off the rack system.
Workplace Improvement
Pallet rack safety backing and warehouse safety netting can improve your warehouse, promoting a neat, safe, and orderly workplace. The galvanized wire or industrial mesh netting offers a clean, professional feel to your rack system, giving confidence to visitors while not affecting your cooling or heating, as well as your warehouse lighting.
Pallet Rack Backing Installation
Pallet rack backing wire panels can be installed in two different ways — horizontally and vertically, depending on the use of the backing.
Vertical Rack back Installation
Vertical wire mesh panels mount directly to the pallet rack cross beams. Vertical panel installation requires the proprietary galvanized wire clips engineered to slide under the wire mesh decking onto the pallet rack cross beam. The vertical installation method is the fastest and least labor-intensive option available.
How to connect the vertical panels to the top bay of the pallet rack system
A support strut is needed when attaching the top panel to a pallet rack back system. This horizontal strut fastens to each upright frame.
Vertical Backstop Extension
Extension packs are available for scenarios where the pallet rack backstop must continue past the upright frame’s top. These extensions are simply attached to the rack system and panels with two side struts trimmed to length during installation.
Horizontal Rack Back Installation
Horizontal wire mesh panels use galvanized brackets attached directly to the upright pallet rack frames, thereby minimizing the need to move existing products, etc.
How to use the horizontal backstop installation method when installing a backstop to racking that’s loaded with product
This method mounts the panels directly to the upright frame with a mount and hardware, allowing safety backing installation without moving existing products.
Horizontal Rack Back Backstop Extension
Similar to the vertical setup, the horizontal installation method offers an expansion or extension pack. These are also simply attached to the upright frame with two side panel struts trimmed to length during installation.
Interested in Pallet Rack Backing or Warehouse Safety Netting?
If you are interested in warehouse rack safety netting, skylight safety nets, pallet rack backing, or other warehouse safety net solutions, call 800-722-5908 today or fill out our online quote form!
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