What is heavy-duty shelving?
Heavy-duty shelving refers to racking systems with shelf loads of over 300 kg per level. It is used wherever heavy individual parts, tools, casting moulds or machine components need to be stored – without a pallet, directly on the shelf.
Understanding load capacity: three key terms
Shelf load
The shelf load indicates how much weight a single shelf may carry. For SCHULTE heavy-duty shelving, it ranges from 300 to 1,000 kg depending on the model. The decisive factor is the even distribution of the load across the entire surface.
Bay load
The bay load is the maximum total load of a shelving bay – that is, the sum of all shelf loads plus the dead weight of the shelves. The specified bay load must never be exceeded, even if individual shelves still have capacity to spare.
Point load
Heavy individual items create point loads that place greater local stress on the shelf. Rule of thumb: a point load should be no more than 25 % of the shelf load. For higher individual loads, load distribution plates are recommended.
Standards and regulations
Several sets of rules apply to the safe operation of heavy-duty shelving:
- DIN EN 15512 – Design and calculation of static steel racking systems
- DIN EN 15635 – Application and maintenance of storage equipment (rack inspection)
- DGUV Regel 108-007 – Storage equipment and devices (German accident prevention rule)
- BetrSichV – German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (inspection obligations)
Important: regular rack inspections by a competent person are required by law – at least once a year in accordance with DGUV Regel 108-007.
Common mistakes with heavy-duty shelving
- Overloading – The shelf load is exceeded, often because load capacity signs are missing or illegible
- Missing impact protection – Corner uprights without ram protection are regularly damaged by forklift trucks
- One-sided loading – Only one shelf fully loaded, the others empty – this leads to instability
- Missing bracing – Without rear bracing or cross braces, the racking lacks the necessary stability
- Neglected inspection – Damaged uprights or bent beams are not reported
SCHULTE heavy-duty shelving: safety as standard
SCHULTE heavy-duty shelving is TÜV/GS-certified and manufactured in Germany. The systems offer:
- Shelf loads of up to 1,000 kg
- Integrated safety pins to prevent accidental dislodging
- Extensive accessories: impact protection, rear panels, upright protectors
- Compatibility with the entire SCHULTE shelving range
Conclusion
Heavy-duty shelving is not standard shelving – it requires careful planning, correct load capacity calculation and regular inspection. Invest in certified quality and comply with the standards – this protects your employees and your stored goods.