Cold storage racking systems are becoming more important in businesses that demand precise temperature control, such as F&B and biochemical enterprises. These solutions preserve perishable items, increasing their shelf life and maintaining their quality.
Beyond climate control, the key distinguishing feature of cold storage pallet racking is the necessity for enhanced storage density in order to improve energy efficiency and cost optimization. Durability is also essential since these racks must endure severe temperatures while ensuring optimum inventory capacity.
This article will show you everything there is to know about cold room storage racks, from their features and types to key criteria for choosing the best system for your storage requirements. Hopefully, the insights herein can help you pick dependable cold storage racks for your warehouses.
Demystifying Cold Storage Racking Systems
If your business deals with perishable and temperature-sensitive items, such as food and medicines, then it’s a must to deploy cold storage racking systems for their inventory. The primary goal of adopting a cold storage racking system is to optimize warehouse utilization while maintaining a controlled temperature environment.
To achieve this, the racks must be precisely engineered to distribute heat uniformly across the space, reduce heat loss, and resist corrosion. One common practice is using a vertical layout to guarantee that the cold permeates all around the products. This efficient airflow is critical for the goods’ safety and integrity.
Key Elements Of Cold Storage Racks
As mentioned above, the quality of your cold room storage racks is extremely important to withstand the harsh storage conditions inside the chambers. In order to pick high-quality racking systems, it’s essential to know the key elements that make up a cold storage rack. Let’s go over each of them right below:
- Upright frames: These vertical columns serve as the backbone for the cold storage racking system, with holes punched at regular intervals for easy connections with other parts. They can reach as high as your warehouse layout permits, thereby maximizing storage capacity.
- Load beams: Also known as step beams, these horizontal pieces help form a robust platform to house products above. Oftentimes, they are fitted into upright frames at the evenly spaced holes.
- Diagonal braces: To reinforce the strength and stiffness of the cold storage racks, manufacturers often utilize diagonal braces (or upright frame lacing). These components are welded or fastened to two upright frames.
- Foot plates: Taking a look at the base of the vertical columns, you can find several items called foot plates or face plates. The elements add extra structural stability to your cold storage pallet racking.
- Wire decking: This component is essential to stop stored products from slipping off the racks, thus creating a safer working environment. In most cases, wire decking fits load beams. Sometimes, it’s even utilized in the opposite way to prevent dirt from building up on each racking level.
Core Features Of Cold Storage Racks
The following are some core features of cold room storage racks. These features are what set cold storage racking systems apart from other racking types and help them serve their own role.
- Providing good thermal insulation: To protect internal temperatures from external environmental impacts and ensure stored items are kept in constantly cold settings, cold storage racks must offer proper thermal insulation.
- Comprising durable materials: In addition, these specialized racks must withstand the severe surroundings inside the cold chambers. Thus, manufacturers always utilize strong and durable materials to build cold storage racks.
- Advocating the FIFO principle: As cold storage racks often house perishable items, they should follow the FIFO method to guarantee that the oldest products entering the chamber will be the first ones to leave. This helps decrease waste while preserving product quality.
- Modular and portable: Another great feature of cold storage racks is their modular and portable design. In other words, you can effortlessly alter and enlarge the system to fit varied product dimensions and shapes, thereby providing flexibility to meet your changing storage demands.
Major Benefits Of Cold Storage Racks
Cold room storage racks provide various benefits that are critical for protecting the integrity and quality of temperature-sensitive products. Here are some of the system’s major advantages:
- Maximizing inventory space: Cold storage racking systems help maintain temperatures low, thereby avoiding early degradation, preventing the growth of bacteria, and conserving the quality of perishable commodities. This ensures products reach customers in optimal conditions.
- Maintaining product quality: Typically, cold storage warehouses have limited footprints. Therefore, maximizing inventory space is a critical mission that cold storage racks must accomplish. In fact, they do fulfill this mission thanks to the use of vertical space, which allows for more inventory capacity.
- Reducing waste: Utilizing cold room storage racks properly also helps reduce product spoilage and damage, thus prolonging shelf life and dramatically lowering waste. As a result, this inventory system improves overall product quality and sustainability.
- Enhancing warehouse throughput: By simplifying product handling and speeding up retrieval procedures, cold storage racks enhance overall efficiency and throughput in cold storage operations.
- Durable and safe: Designed to endure the extreme settings of low temperatures, cold storage racking systems are sturdy and reliable, guaranteeing the safe storage of delicate materials over long periods of time.
Primary Applications Of Cold Storage Racks
As a specialized warehouse storage solution, cold storage racks are not meant for every warehouse setting. In order to gain the greatest benefits from it, only consider using this system when your stored items need the FIFO inventory method. This ensures that older stock is consumed first, thus improving shelf-life management.
It’s possible to employ cold storage racks when you’re holding perishable and temperature-sensitive products. These items include food and beverages, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
Cold Room Storage Racks Vs Normal Storage Racks
It’s safe to say that cold storage racks are the upgraded version of standard pallet racks. They have unique forms and features to serve the unique conditions in cold storage warehouses. The following is a complete comparison with standard storage racks to help you understand more about cold storage racking systems.
Temperature Tolerance
Cold room storage racks are particularly intended to work in low-temperature settings, meaning they must be able to maintain structural integrity and performance even in freezing conditions. This makes them perfect for sectors that need precise heat control, such as food and medicines.
On the other hand, you should only employ normal storage racks for typical temperature environments, which are common storage conditions across a wide range of sectors. They cannot resist cold settings, thereby restricting their use to non-temperature-sensitive items.
Thermal Insulation
One of the most notable qualities of cold storage racks is their thermal insulation. This peculiar feature protects the racks from external environmental impacts, guaranteeing their longevity and the preservation of stored items. Proper thermal insulation also improves energy efficiency in cold storage facilities.
In contrast, normal pallet racks do not need thermal insulation since they’re utilized in ambient-temperature environments. Their design prioritizes storage capacity and accessibility above the requirement for specific materials to withstand severe temperatures.
Organizational Efficiency
Cold storage racking systems often incorporate features that allow for more orderly arrangements, which improve inventory monitoring and management efficiency. Inventory order and control are critical in cold storage warehouses due to the need for accurate inspection and management of temperature-sensitive products.
While organizational efficiency is also crucial in regular storage racks, the focus is on flexibility and ease of access rather than exact stock control. As temperature control is not a priority, these typical systems should allow for a wider choice of storage options.
Durability And Longevity
To endure the extreme temperatures of freezing settings, cold storage racks must have strong structures and protective features. To do that, their materials must be durable and can withstand constant low temperatures, thereby decreasing the need for frequent repairs and replacements.
Normal storage racks, although sturdy, are not designed to survive the stress of extreme heat changes. Their lifetime is reliant on regular care and the absence of environmental stressors, such as high humidity or freezing temperatures.
Exploring The Top Options Of Cold Storage Pallet Racking
Now that you’ve gone over the basics of cold storage racks, it’s time to know their variants. The following part will walk you through the top six options for cold room storage racks that you can consider for your next upgrade.
#1: Typical Pallet Racks
Cold storage racking systems come in a number of configurations, including selective racks, drive-in racks, drive-through racks, and push-back racks. Each kind addresses distinct logistical and storage requirements, thereby enhancing operating efficiency in cold storage facilities.
For instance, drive-in pallet racks improve storage capacity by facilitating high-density inventory, making them ideal for bulk storage of identical commodities. In contrast, push-back systems help save time during pallet removal and forklift operations, thus resulting in increased productivity.
Typical pallet racks also give direct access to items and work well with products of various sizes and qualities. Moreover, they are highly affordable and easy to implement, which explains why they’re favored and chosen by many warehouse managers.
PROs:
- Offering easy access to all stored items.
- Suitable for various product types.
- Cost-effective and simple to assemble.
CON:
- Rendering inefficient space utilization compared to high-density systems.
#2: Mobile Pallet Racks
By installing racks on mobile platforms that move laterally, this cold storage racking system offers direct access to all items via an open working aisle. It’s an ideal option for cold storage applications when your facility is compact.
However, direct access is not the sole reason people choose mobile pallet racks for cold storage warehouses. They also help distribute cold air evenly over a greater number of pallets. This uniform airflow lowers the cost per pallet, increasing the overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the storage system.
Plus, mobile pallet racks guarantee better air circulation during downtime with a parking option that requires rack separation and evenly spaced aisles. This setting further improves temperature control and inventory conditions in cold storage warehouses.
PROs:
- Reducing aisle space, thereby increasing storage capacity.
- Maximizing storage density.
- Distributing airflow evenly among the pallets.
CON:
- Requiring quite high initial investment costs.
#3: Adjustable Pallet Racks
This system’s versatility in width, length, and height makes it a flexible and cost-effective cold storage option. Adjustable pallet racks often have galvanized uprights to resist the harsh storage settings inside cold chambers.
Plus, these solutions utilize forklifts to store products in pallets, which are accessible via aisles with varying sizes to satisfy specific storage requirements. They also have modular structures that help maximize inventory space and allow for the integration of other compact storage solutions.
PROs:
- Serving different product sizes thanks to the flexible shelf height.
- Easy to reconfigure when needed.
- Well-suited for changing inventory demands.
CON:
- Relatively less stable if not properly adjusted.
#4: Shuttle-Based Pallet Racks
If you’re looking for an automated solution for cold storage, shuttle pallet racks are a potential option. They provide a high-density storage solution by automating the transportation of items across the racking system. Shuttle-based racks are perfect for cold storage warehouses with many pallets per SKU.
Oftentimes, shuttles have two modes: semi-automated and fully-automated. In the semi-automated system, an operator sets the load on the rails, and the shuttle transports it to the designated spot within the racks. This mode is especially useful for cold warehouses that need regular access to large volumes of comparable products.
The fully-automated mode is ideal for medium- and high-rise warehouses with a wide range of SKUs. It transports items to the appropriate channels using stacker cranes or transfer cars. The motorized shuttle then puts the products into the storage channels, thus increasing storage capacity while reducing goods handling times.
PROs:
- Minimizing manual labor with automated shuttles.
- Conserving energy by minimizing the space to be cooled.
- Providing high-density storage.
CON:
- Demanding regular maintenance of shuttle units.
#5: ASRS For Pallets
Fancy a fancier and more advanced cold storage solution? Look no further than the ASRS for pallets. It uses standard single- or double-deep racks and relies on stacker cranes to manage all product movements. These cranes effectively control warehouse inflows and outflows, resulting in accurate and orderly storage operations.
One major benefit is that the ASRS for pallets can handle enormous volumes of products thanks to the stacker cranes’ quick horizontal and vertical motions. This high-speed process considerably increases the ability to insert and remove pallets.
Moreover, ASRS requires less space for cooling, leading to significant energy cost reductions. They also enable systematic management of stored items, guaranteeing real-time inventory monitoring and compliance with high turnover and traceability standards.
PROs:
- Highly automated for increased efficiency.
- Improving inventory accuracy.
- Lowering labor expenditures.
CON:
- Needing high setup costs and in-depth training.
#6: ASRS For Boxes
Unlike the above system, ASRS for carton boxes uses miniload stacker cranes to autonomously handle items in cold storage facilities. It saves space by effectively housing boxes on racks, offering easy access, and ensuring controlled inventory management.
Automation in this solution increases productivity by simplifying retrieval and storage operations. This not only improves warehouse efficiency but also guarantees that stored items are safe and protected from harm, making it a dependable option for handling carton boxes in cold warehouses.
PROs:
- Efficient for storing small items.
- Boosting picking speed.
- Enhancing warehouse space utilization.
CON:
- Not suitable for large-sized products.
Vital Tips For Picking The Ideal Cold Storage Racking System
Let’s end this detailed guide with some vital tips for choosing the right cold storage racking system. Nailing the following aspects will help you finalize your selection process more quickly.
Evaluating Storage Needs
Before picking a cold storage racking system, consider the volume of items to be housed. This assists in establishing the kind and size of the racking system necessary. Understanding your storage requirements ensures that you choose a solution that will effectively manage your inventory volume.
Also, consider the dimensions of your cold storage area, which includes room for cold generators. The architecture and size of your warehouse will impact the racking solutions you choose, guaranteeing that you make the most use of available space while also keeping the cooling system running efficiently.
Assessing Accessibility
Streamlined access to items is critical to operational efficiency. Select a cold storage racking system that enables simple retrieval and positioning of products.
This shortens handling time and decreases personnel presence in cold areas, thus increasing productivity and safety.
Considering Automation
Automation can drastically improve the efficiency of your cold storage. Although these advanced solutions demand a larger upfront investment, they provide long-term advantages.
Automation helps eliminate the need for physical work, lessens the danger of human error, and limits exposure to harsh temperatures. It also improves space use, thus guaranteeing exact traceability and ensuring constant inventory management.
Planning For Drainage
Proper water drainage is a must in cold storage to prevent condensation. Ensure that your cold storage racking system is suitable for the warehouse floor’s drainage and slopes. This minimizes water gathering and facilitates a safe and sanitary atmosphere.
Also, consider the racking system’s material and design to guarantee it can resist fluctuations in moisture and temperature. Galvanized pallet racking or stainless steel racks are popular because of their longevity and resistance to corrosion in moist settings.
Factoring In Seasonality
Here’s one last piece of advice for you: understand the seasonality of your stored products. Some goods may have higher storage demands during certain seasons of the year. Therefore, pick a cold storage pallet racking that can handle these variations without sacrificing efficiency or capacity.
A racking system that is adaptable and expandable will aid in managing seasonal changes. This feature guarantees that your storage is efficient year-round and can serve peak times successfully.
Conclusion
To sum up, understanding and implementing cold storage racking systems is critical for firms that need temperature-controlled inventory. The correct solution helps protect your items, optimize warehouse space, and improve energy efficiency, making it a vital investment for businesses like F&B and pharmaceuticals.
This comprehensive guide has provided you with foundational information about cold storage racking systems as well as their differences from standard pallet racks. The piece also covers the top types of cold room storage racks, such as mobile, shuttle-based, and ASRS, that can meet your various needs for cold storage settings.
Together with important suggestions for choosing the best cold storage racking system, you can now make educated selections that will improve your warehouse operations and preserve the life of your perishable items.
