Mobile Shelving
Mobile shelving / racking (or rolling racks / roller racking as they are sometimes called) is a very cost effective way to maximise your storage capacity whilst freeing up space for other uses in offices, warehouses, stock rooms, factories, hospitals / medical practices etc at the same time.
Mobile Shelving or Rolling Racks can be:
Manually operated by means of push / pull handles which you use to move mobile bases along the floor mounted tracks using your own steam.
Mechanically assisted by means of multi ratio geared hand wheels are mounted at the end of each run of shelving which are used to drive the chains and wheels in the mobile bases along the floor mounted tracks making it extremely easy to move even the largest load.
Electrically powered by means of a push button mounted at the end of each run which when pushed will automatically turn the high ratio gears which in turn drive the chains and wheels in the mobile bases along the floor mounted tracks with no real effort at all from the user.
What is Mobile Shelving used for
The most common use of mobile storage systems is for the long term storage of archives / documents / folders / archive boxes / X-Rays and Medical records, usually in a secure warehouse or dedicated store room, using an all steel shelving system on medium duty bases.
However mobile systems can also be used for:
- Everyday storage of consumables, stationary, files and documents on Stormor Solo, Mono, Duo or Sysco type steel shelving systems.
- Storage of long or bulky items on Longspan adjustable beam medium duty shelving / racking.
- And even for storage of heavy palletised goods on Pallet Racking upto 6m high, (usually computer controlled and accessed by forklifts using portable terminals).
Mobile Base Track and Rack End options
In addition to the choice of shelving and racking systems mounted on top of the mobile base and the method of operating the system, you can also specify
- Flush running tracks, built into the concrete floor during the building construction phase
- Standard surface mounted tracks, mechanically fixed on top of existing floor
- Slimline surface mounted tracks, mechanically fixed on top of existing floor
- Aluminium ramp edge profiles (on surface mounted track options) for easier trolley access
- Unfinished wooden infill flooring between the surface mounted tracks for client to apply floor finish
- Pre finished carpet or vinyl covered infill flooring between the surface mounted tracks
- Various decorative end panel finishes available
- Rear cladding / Backing (Mesh, Perforated or Solid, depending on the shelving system chosen)
Mobile shelf accessories include
- Pull out sliding drawers
- Pull out or fixed lateral filing cradles
- Full or part height dividers
- Wire sliding dividers
- Pull out shelves
- Bin fronts and plastic shelf bins
- Tambour and Hinged lockable door kits
And of course the colours of the bases, flooring and shelving to name a few.
Common mobile shelving misconceptions:
The racking system is not stable! - Our mobile systems have 'anti tilt' / 'anti tip' mechanisms built either into the floor tracks or on rails above the shelving / racking that prevent the bases / shelving from tipping. It is best practice to load the heaviest items on the bottom shelves to minimise a 'top heavy' system just as it is with static shelving bays.
We might get trapped in the aisles! - You can specify 'aisle locking' as an option to lock open the aisle and prevent anyone from closing the aisle in which you are working.
We might get our feet trapped! - All our mechanically assisted and electrically powered mobile storage systems have 'preset slip gearing' that allows the cogs/handle to slip when the base meets an obstruction (like a foot or set of steps).
It is no good for secure storage! - You can specify 'lock down' facilities as an option to allow you to roll all the bases together and lock the last one thus preventing access to the aisles without a key. You can also fit locking doors onto the last run of shelving in combination with the 'lock down' facility to prevent access to the entire system if desired.
It is too expensive! - Obviously it will be more expensive than static racking, however using mobile shelving allows you to store records / documents etc in up to 70% less space than conventional shelving / racking or filing cabinets. If you factor in the space saving in your premises it should work out more cost effective.
It won't fit in our basement! - Some of our mobile storage systems are available in 'KD' (knock down/kit form) and can be carried down stairs and through standard width doors. If you have a restricted access situation please contact us, we have not been stumped yet.
Mobile shelving is only for archived records! - It is true the most common use of mobile shelving is for archiving / document storage, HOWEVER we have installed systems that have been used for general filing, storage of stationary and consumables, for general stock holding, assembly line bulk storage points, medical X-rays and patient records and even the chilled storage of liquid perfume samples and a cinema film reel store.
Things to consider when purchasing Mobile Shelves:
Make sure your floor is level and solid - We can install systems on computer floors, raised storage platforms and concrete floors and even occasionally on wooden floors if the full details of their construction / load bearing capacity are available.
Make sure there is good lighting - Usually running in the opposite direction to the racking aisles, to ensure light is available wherever the open working aisle is at the time.
How many operatives are required to work in the system - If more than one person requires access to the system at a time it is usual to split the system into blocks (using fixed bays of static racks within the main runs) to ensure more than one aisle can be open at the same time.
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