Cold storage racking systems are specialized equipment used for storing and organizing goods in cold storage facilities. Their design and materials are typically tailored to the needs of low-temperature environments. Different types of cold storage racks are suitable for different scenarios and requirements. Below, we will introduce several common types of cold storage racks and their applicable scenarios.

Table of Contents

1. Cold storage racking system explanation

2. Differences between cold storage racking systems and traditional racking systems

3. The best choice for cold storage racking systems

4. Tips for Selecting Cold Storage Shelving Systems

5. conclusion

Cold storage racking system explanation

If your business needs to store perishable and long-term fresh food products, you need to consider the racking system's performance under low temperatures and heavy loads in cold storage. Therefore, the selection of a cold storage racking system needs to be compatible in terms of materials, components, and other aspects. Choosing the right cold storage racking system can double your efficiency and quality!

Components of a cold storage racking system

The main components of cold storage racks include uprights, beams, shelves, support components, and safety accessories. Their structural design must balance low-temperature resistance, rust prevention, and high load-bearing capacity.

• Uprights: Made of Q235 cold-rolled steel, welded under carbon dioxide gas protection, and coated with polyester epoxy powder to enhance rust resistance.
• Beams: Typically square or rectangular steel tubes, connected to the uprights via cylindrical protrusions; some racks use locking bolts for fixation.
• Shelves: Used to support goods, mostly made of steel plates or wood panels; some racks use light steel flooring.
• Support Components: Includes guide rails and diagonal braces, used to secure goods or enhance structural stability.
• Safety Accessories: Such as anti-collision strips and limit switches, ensuring operational safety.

#Special Design

• Rust Prevention Treatment: Surface treated with pickling, phosphating, and electrostatic spraying to adapt to the low-temperature environment of cold storage.
• Load-bearing structure: Heavy-duty racking uprights can reach 10 meters in height, and the beams have high load-bearing capacity; some racking units can bear up to 5 tons.
• Automation adaptability: Shuttle racking, narrow aisle racking, etc., require the use of automated equipment.

Key features of cold storage racking systems

Because cold storage facilities store a variety of goods, their internal temperatures vary accordingly, ranging from 1°C to -30°C. These varying temperatures place different demands on the materials used for shelving. Inappropriate material selection, or manufacturers cutting corners to save costs, often results in shelving that cannot withstand the low temperatures, leading to safety hazards such as brittleness, surface peeling, or bending. However, materials like Q235C, Q235D, and Q235E perform exceptionally well in shelving manufacturing, being suitable for temperatures of 0°C and above, -1°C to -20°C, and -30°C to -40°C, respectively. Therefore, before customizing cold storage shelving, it is essential to fully understand the actual usage of the cold storage facility and design it accordingly.

Significant advantages of cold storage racking systems

1. Load Capacity: Choose the appropriate load capacity based on the weight of the stored goods to ensure safety!
2. Adjustable Shelf Height: Allows for flexible adjustment based on the height of the goods, maximizing space utilization.
3. Anti-Slip Design: Prevents goods from slipping, ensuring safe operation.
4. Surface Treatment: Rust and corrosion prevention treatments are essential to extend the shelf's lifespan.

Cold storage racking system VS traditional racking system

• Material Differences: Cold storage racks typically use Q235 cold-rolled steel or stainless steel, treated with carbon dioxide gas shielded welding and polyester epoxy powder coating to enhance corrosion resistance and low-temperature performance. Regular racks mostly use ordinary steel plates, without special treatment for low-temperature environments, making them prone to embrittlement at low temperatures.

• Design Differences: Cold storage racks prioritize space utilization and ventilation, often employing open structures or narrow aisle designs, and optimizing forklift operation paths. Regular racks are designed more for conventional storage efficiency, with a relatively simple structure.

• Operating Environment:Cold storage racks are specifically designed for low-temperature environments of -1℃ to -16℃, and must withstand humidity changes and thermal cycling. Regular racks are suitable for ambient temperatures, but are prone to structural deformation or rust at low temperatures.

• Functional Characteristics:Cold storage racks must meet the needs of goods preservation, such as first-in-first-out or push-back storage, and reduce energy consumption. Regular racks are primarily for general storage and lack special environmental adaptability.

The best choice for cold storage racking systems

1.Selective Pallet Racks

With a simple structure, it is suitable for storing a small number of lightweight items. It is easy to operate and convenient to retrieve and place goods.

2.Drive Through Pallet Racking

Drive Through Pallet Racking By eliminating aisles between shelves and combining them together, more goods can be stored in the same space, achieving a space utilization rate of over 80%, almost twice that of ordinary pallet racks.

3.Pallet Shuttle Racking

Shuttle racking adds radio-controlled shuttles that run on guide rails to handle goods within the aisles, based on drive-in racking. Forklifts only need to operate at either end of the aisle, increasing efficiency by over 30%.

Tips for Selecting Cold Storage Shelving Systems

1. Define Storage Needs

Goods Characteristics: For large-volume, low-variety goods (such as food and beverages), drive-in racking can eliminate independent aisles, achieving over 80% space utilization and reducing unit storage costs by 35%.

2. Turnover Efficiency:

For FIFO (First-In, First-Out) operations, gravity flow racks offer high efficiency due to their automatic sliding mechanism, but at a higher cost. Shuttle racks support semi-automatic storage and retrieval, achieving 80%-85% space utilization, suitable for high-volume cold storage.

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.