COLORADO, Could You Be WASTING WAREHOUSE SPACE?
OVER DOCK DOOR RACK IS THE BEST-KEPT WAREHOUSE STORAGE SOLUTION SECRET
Just as our Colorado ski slopes are bustling in the winter, our warehouses are hubs of busy activity. Since space is at a premium, we want you to utilize each and every square foot. You may even have unused storage space right in front of your eyes… well above your dock doors, to be exact.
Using the area above your dock doors is an ideal spot for supplies that don’t need to be accessed regularly, such as empty pallets and packing materials. Another bonus of this best-kept storage secret is that your over-dock-door pallet rack is customizable to safely provide needed storage while minimizing the possibility of forklift strikes despite the busy work area.
Over the Dock Pallet Rack with Guarding
Design Options for Over Dock Door Pallet Rack
- Conventional Rack
- Single-Leg Offset
- Suspended Rack
Conventional Rack (right) – The design shown above and in the photo on the right uses standard pallet rack uprights mounted between dock doors with decked levels above. This configuration provides flexible storage for pallets, palletized items, or smaller, individual ones.
Note – if a conventional pallet rack system is being used, you must ensure that beam lengths will work with the dock door spacing. Also, we do not recommend any pallet overhang on the uprights. For example, if you have 48”d pallets, we suggest a 48”d rack vs. 42”d rack.
Column guards (left) – A robust guard is a critical aspect of warehouse safety that should be incorporated for any pallet rack column in the path of forklift traffic.
Your Apex Colorado rack design team will work with you to custom-fit the guards that would work best for your system.
If needed, we can also provide bollards and building column protection for dock area safety.
Single-Leg Offset – In this configuration, uprights are offset to allow the lower portion of the column to recess toward the back column and remove it from the path of a forklift. The degree of the recess angle is based on your load capacity goals and the rack system dimensions. Take a look at our blog on the topic for an indepth review of this pallet rack design option — sloped and cant-leg frames.
Single-Leg Offset Frame
Suspended Pallet Rack – This smart design hangs the pallet rack from the ceiling and fastens it to the wall above dock doors, completely eliminating the possibility of forklift strikes. Note – this rack design is typically restricted to new builds where the roof is designed to support the structure.
Suspended Dock Rack
ADVANTAGES OF OVER-THE-DOCK DOOR STORAGE
- Secure & protect empty pallets from damage
- Organize packing materials & supplies
- Open up useable floor space
- Remove hazardous obstructions such as pallet stacks
- Isolate storage for flammable and chemical supplies
In addition to making use of space that you’re already paying for, there are additional benefits to over-the-dock-door racking. Eliminating stacked pallets or materials opens up sightlines, reduces clutter, and avoids possible injuries. Consider over-dock-door storage as part of your warehouse safety strategy.
The Apex Colorado Team is Here to Optimize Your Warehouse Space
Contact your local Apex Colorado team to provide a free assessment of your underutilized space and operational safety. We are your local full-service storage solutions and material handling provider. Our warehouse design experts will provide you with a cost-effective plan to optimize wasted space that may inhibit achieving your efficiency and safety goals. Contact our team today to schedule an on-site visit.
