Pharmacy storage in the warehouse has gone high-tech. With promises of next day availability to customers, overnight shipping and delivery of requisite products is an almost foregone conclusion.
Pallet racking systems for pharmacies have significant storage advantages
Pallet racking systems have significant storage advantages because they let you store products densely to make best use of storage space, yet efficiently.
Drive-in racks increase storage efficiency in the warehouse because you can store goods more densely. Trucks can enter rack structures easily to either retrieve or place pallets of goods without disturbing the overall structure. Storage configurations become more efficient with space saver rails, because you need fewer aisles for access. Space saver rails can increase storage density by up to 75%, further increasing efficiency.
Heavy-duty, slant back support frames on entry points in the systems also let you construct drive-in systems that are several levels high and multiple pallets deep without risking damage to goods.
Types of pallet racking systems for pharmacies
- Selective racks
Selective racks are the most commonly used type of pallet system, and are accessible from the aisle. With selective racks, the beams are the support system for the pallets, and can be used with narrow aisle access, as well as standard systems.
A special narrow lift truck is needed for narrow aisle access, but this configuration is space efficient; you get a lot of storage capacity in a relatively small amount of space. Choose a standard system for loading pallets single-deep, or a deep reach system to double storage capacity.
- Drive-in and drive-through racks
As discussed briefly above, drive-in (and drive-through) systems allow for high density storage. They are generally constructed of steel and utilize forklifts that move in to the bay, or row of stacks.
Drive-in racks have just one shared entry and exit, meaning that forklifts must come in, pick up a load, and then back out of the rack. Drive-through racks allow forklifts to drive into the bay, and exit the other side. If a rack configuration is drive-in, merchandise must be loaded in a "last in, first out" or LIFO order. Pallet racking systems can be chosen based upon this configuration if the items you are storing are nonperishable and have a low turnover. Storage is not readily accessible.
With the drive-through system, the load order changes to "first in, first out" or FIFO. Both drive-through and drive in pallet systems utilize floor-to-ceiling structural configurations.
- Pushback racks
These are suitable for bulk storage because they can store products that are several pallets deep and several levels high. When a pallet is placed on this racking system, the next pallet behind is "pushed" back on the rails for storage. When pallets are loaded from rails, they "push" to the front of the rack. These racks are loaded with the LIFO configuration and are suitable for large amounts of merchandise and large storage systems.
The pushback racking system uses inclined rails and sliding carts with double lanes for movement.
- Gravity flow racks
Also simply called "flow racks," these are used for high density storage. Loads are stored at the high end and removed at the low end, utilizing the FIFO load order configuration. Merchandise is loaded and rotates automatically as the racks flow.
Gravity flow racks utilize slope planes and gravity rollers with brakes to control merchandise movement along the slope. They operate through gravity, so no electric operating system is necessary.
Which pallet racking systems are best for pharmacies?
Different racking systems are used in different situations, depending on the space, logistics and set up of the warehouse in question and the merchandise being stored.
