Pallet Racking
Pallet racking is a warehouse storage system built from vertical steel uprights and horizontal load beams (SJF). SJF lists selective rack for direct access to every pallet plus drive-in rack for high-density storage. MH-USA says Selective pallet rack accounts for roughly 85% of all pallet rack installations. Interlake Mecalux lists direct access to each pallet.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Pallet racking
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Definition (SJF) | Pallet racking is a warehouse storage system built from vertical steel uprights and horizontal load beams — designed to store palletized goods in multiple levels and rows, making full use of vertical space that would otherwise go unused | SJF |
| Common construction (SJF) | The most common construction style is teardrop pallet racking | SJF |
| Selective access (SJF) | selective rack for direct access to every pallet | SJF |
| Drive-in role (SJF) | drive-in rack for high-density storage | SJF |
| Pushback role (SJF) | pushback rack for multiple pallets deep per lane | SJF |
| Pallet flow role (SJF) | pallet flow rack for first-in, first-out rotation | SJF |
| Deflection limit (SJF) | maximum allowable beam deflection is defined as L/180 , where L is the beam length in inches | SJF |
| 96-inch example (SJF) | a 96-inch beam has a maximum permissible deflection of approximately 0.53 inches (96 ÷ 180) | SJF |
| Prevalence (MH-USA) | Selective pallet rack accounts for roughly 85% of all pallet rack installations | MH-USA |
| Selectivity (MH-USA) | 100% pallet selectivity with direct forklift access to every position | MH-USA |
| Frame depths (MH-USA) | Upright frame depth 36″, 42″, 48″ | MH-USA |
| GMA frame standard (MH-USA) | 42″ is standard for a 48″-deep GMA pallet | MH-USA |
| Beam lengths (MH-USA) | Load beam length 96″, 108″, 120″, 144″ | MH-USA |
| 96″ bay note (MH-USA) | 96″ holds two 40″-wide pallets | MH-USA |
| 108″ bay note (MH-USA) | 108″ holds two 48″-wide pallets with clearance | MH-USA |
| Beam faces (MH-USA) | Beam face height 3″, 4″, 4.5″, 5″, 6″ | MH-USA |
| Frame heights (MH-USA) | Upright frame height 8′, 10′, 12′, 14′, 16′, 18′, 20′, 24′ and taller | MH-USA |
| VNA aisle cut (MH-USA) | Reduce aisle widths from 12′ down to 5′–6′ | MH-USA |
| VNA density (MH-USA) | Gain 40–50% more pallet positions with 100% selectivity | MH-USA |
| Cost/position A (MH-USA) | Selective pallet rack typically costs $40–$80 per pallet position for a standard 3-level setup | MH-USA |
| Cost/position B (MH-USA) | Selective rack starts at roughly $150–$300+ per pallet position | MH-USA |
| Bay section cost (MH-USA) | A standard 3-level selective rack bay section (two uprights + three beam pairs + wire decking) typically runs $150–$350 per bay section | MH-USA |
| Install $/sq ft (MH-USA) | Professional pallet rack installation typically adds $3–$8 per square foot of rack footprint | MH-USA |
| Structural premium (MH-USA) | Structural rack costs 20–40% more than roll-formed | MH-USA |
| Used discount note (MH-USA) | Used pallet rack can seem attractive at 40–60% of new rack pricing | MH-USA |
| Beam pair capacity (MH-USA) | typically 2,000–12,000 lbs per pair | MH-USA |
| Frame capacity (MH-USA) | typically 15,000–30,000 lbs | MH-USA |
| Direct access (Interlake) | direct access to each pallet | Interlake Mecalux |
| Working aisle access (Interlake) | Direct access : Every pallet is accessible from the working aisle | Interlake Mecalux |
| Height range (Interlake) | Rack heights typically range from 4' to 40' | Interlake Mecalux |
| GMA frame depth (Interlake) | for a standard GMA pallet that’s 48" deep, the frame is typically 42" deep | Interlake Mecalux |
| GMA beam lengths (Interlake) | using 40" wide GMA pallets, beam dimensions can be 48", 96", or 144" | Interlake Mecalux |
| Post slotting (Interlake) | posts are slotted every 2" | Interlake Mecalux |
| Single-deep norm (Interlake) | This is the standard, most commonly used configuration in most warehouses | Interlake Mecalux |
| Standards (Interlake) | ANSI standards MH16.1, MH16.3, and MH26.2 | Interlake Mecalux |
| R-Mark (Interlake) | R-Mark® Certification | Interlake Mecalux |
| 100% selectivity (DACO) | 100% selectivity | DACO |
| Common bay (DACO) | The most common bay size is 96 inches wide by 44 inches deep | DACO |
| GMA beams mm (Mecalux) | In the case of North American (GMA) pallets, beam dimensions are 2,225 and 3,300 mm | Mecalux |
| Upright slotting mm (Mecalux) | The uprights are slotted every 50 | Mecalux |
| Density claim (rack.ca) | increasing storage density by 75% | Canadian Rack Technologies / rack.ca |
How pallet racking is built
SJF says Pallet racking is a warehouse storage system built from vertical steel uprights and horizontal load beams — designed to store palletized goods in multiple levels and rows, making full use of vertical space that would otherwise go unused and The most common construction style is teardrop pallet racking, where beams slide into teardrop-shaped holes in the uprights and lock without bolts. Interlake Mecalux says The posts are slotted every 2" to accommodate the beams. Mecalux says The uprights are slotted every 50 mm to accommodate the beams.
Sizes, capacity framing, and published costs
MH-USA lists Upright frame depth 36″, 42″, 48″ with 42″ is standard for a 48″-deep GMA pallet, plus Load beam length 96″, 108″, 120″, 144″. Interlake Mecalux says Rack heights typically range from 4' to 40'. DACO says The most common bay size is 96 inches wide by 44 inches deep. SJF says maximum allowable beam deflection is defined as L/180 with a 96-inch beam has a maximum permissible deflection of approximately 0.53 inches (96 ÷ 180). MH-USA says Selective pallet rack typically costs $40–$80 per pallet position for a standard 3-level setup and Selective rack starts at roughly $150–$300+ per pallet position.
Sources (fetched 2 Sep 2026): SJF — What is pallet racking; SJF — load ratings; MH-USA — pallet rack; Interlake Mecalux — pallet racking; DACO — selective racking; Mecalux — conventional pallet racking; rack.ca — pallet racking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pallet racking?
SJF says Pallet racking is a warehouse storage system built from vertical steel uprights and horizontal load beams — designed to store palletized goods in multiple levels and rows, making full use of vertical space that would otherwise go unused. Interlake Mecalux says Obtain precise stock control and direct access to each pallet. MH-USA lists 100% pallet selectivity with direct forklift access to every position for selective systems.
How common is selective pallet racking?
MH-USA says Selective pallet rack accounts for roughly 85% of all pallet rack installations. DACO says It is the most widely used racking system in the industry, largely because it offers 100% selectivity. Interlake Mecalux says Single-deep pallet racks This is the standard, most commonly used configuration in most warehouses.
What cost ranges does MH-USA list for selective rack?
MH-USA says Selective pallet rack typically costs $40–$80 per pallet position for a standard 3-level setup. MH-USA also says Selective rack starts at roughly $150–$300+ per pallet position. MH-USA says A standard 3-level selective rack bay section (two uprights + three beam pairs + wire decking) typically runs $150–$350 per bay section. MH-USA says Professional pallet rack installation typically adds $3–$8 per square foot of rack footprint.