Posted By Martin Taylor Interesting question Chris - I don't know the answer but SESS at sess.co.uk should be ab;e to help I have seen other threads on racking where a racking forum has been established (not IOSH) - can anybody remember the link hope this helps Martin

Posted By Ian Forster I'm sure racking is classed as a "free standing unit" not including any fixings to the floor, or ties to the wall. Shelving tends to a "non self support" storage, normally fixed to a wall as means of support. Hope this helps Ian

Posted By Gordon Thelwell Hello Chris, I'm sure i can help: SUMMARY: To distinguish Racking from Shelving is to identify whether you need Mechanical Handling Equipment to load/off load goods and generally speaking Racking is of at leats 1.5mm gauge steel vertical uprights with diagonal bracing there-in. Shelving is traditionally no higher than 2.3m high, 600mm deep and mainly accomodates manually handled goods. RACKING: Pallet racking offers the ability to store items using ever increasing capacities of vertical space up to the height and depth of the racks own dimensions. Adjustable Pallet Racking (APR) and is the most common type of pallet racking systems in use throughout the world. APR is a skeletal system of vertical , Diagonal (and horizontal interconnecting members. APR installations are usually constructed with a one pallet deep run of racking on each side of the operating aisle. If the racks can only be accessed from one side only by Mechanical Handling Equipment (MHE) then this is called a single entry run If the racks can be accessed from both sides then this is called a double entry run Racking consists usually of two major components upright frames and beams. Upright frames are assembled using pairs of continuously perforated uprights. connected by bracing members with bolted, riveted or welded joints. Upright frames are interconnected by beams in pairs to form a row of bays. Pairs of beams are spaced vertically in each bay at a number of levels to provide locations for the pallet or unit loads. Each pair of beams at each level can carry one, two or more unit loads depending upon length and strength. The strength, stiffness and stability of racking is provided by the upright frames and their connections to the concrete floor slab both of which must be maintained within the manufacturers operating parameters in order to be safe. SHELVING: STYLES BOLTLESS COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL WIRE Common Uses Light industrial CONSTRUCTION Shelf Particle Board 22 ga. steel 20 and 18 ga. steel Open wire grid with bar joist edge frame. Upright 16 ga. steel frame 16 ga. steel posts 14 ga. formed steel posts/ 12 ga. angle steel posts. 1" round steel posts with spacing grooves. Shelf Capacity 250-400 lbs. 300-400 lbs. 350-1100 lbs. 600-800 lbs Finish GALVANIZED PAINTED PAINTED PLATED/EPOXY Assembly Steel edged shelves clip into slots on upright frames. Back bracing may be required. Shelves clip into upright posts. Back braces and side braces are bolted into place. Shelves clip or bolt to posts. Back braces and side braces are bolted in place. Plastic clips snap onto upright posts. Shelves slide on over posts and wedge onto plastic clips. NOTES: 1. These are general specifications from a variety of manufacturers. There may be differences between these descriptions and some specific brands. Please call us with any specific questions. 2. Gauge or ga. (a measure of steel thickness) goes backward. 18 gauge is heavy duty; 22 gauge is light duty. 3. Back braces can be eliminated by using corner angle sways. This allows clear access to the front and back. Also, the Racking Safety Forum that Martin mentioned is here: http://www.therackgroup.com/forum/toast.asp