Longspan Shelving - Technical Information
If you're seeking technical information and in-depth details about United Rackings' Longspan Shelving, you've come to the right place. However, if you prefer a more concise overview and have specific questions, feel free to give us a call. Our friendly sales team is knowledgeable about Longspan Shelving and will be happy to assist you.
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Longspan Shelving is not only a versatile and modular storage solution, but it is also designed to be cost-effective while maximizing load capacities. Upon closer examination, you will notice that the system is essentially a scaled-down version of Pallet Racking, utilizing the same engineering principles to achieve its impressive load capabilities.
Upright Frames
Longspan Upright Frames serve as the vertical sections on either side of the bay, providing support for the beams. When we refer to "Frames," we encompass the vertical channels, bracing, and base plate. At United Racking, when you purchase Upright Frames, they will be pre-assembled in our warehouse, ready for installation on-site. This eliminates the need for time-consuming assembly of nuts and bolts, simplifying the installation process and saving you a significant amount of time.
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For each "Starter Bay," you will receive two Frames, and for each "Add-on Bay," you will receive one Frame.
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Our Longspan Frames are available in three colors: Industrial Grey, Semi-Gloss Black, and Off-White.
The frame has been designed with a 50mm pitch, meaning there are pre-pressed holes every 50mm. This design allows for adjustable placement of beams (shelves) at 50mm intervals, providing maximum flexibility when configuring your shelving system and ensuring your shelves are positioned exactly where you need them.
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The frame profile measures 55mm wide and 45mm deep. We allow for a width of 60mm when calculating the total bay length, accounting for systems that may not be installed perfectly square.
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Our frames are constructed from heavy-grade steel and powder-coated for enhanced durability. Rolled from 1.5mm thick steel, they are significantly heavier than many other frames on the market. Simply lifting one of our frames will demonstrate their robustness; their increased weight serves a purpose – they are designed to be stronger.
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In an ideally designed bay of Longspan Shelving, our frames can support an impressive load of 4000kg. For more detailed information on this, we recommend consulting your local United Racking representative.
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During the installation of Longspan Frames, it is crucial to ensure they are plumb (vertically level). Even if the floor appears flat, adjustments to the frames may be necessary. To address this, leveling plates, also known as shim plates, can be purchased. These plates are precisely cut to match the base plate and feature pre-pressed holes that align with those in the base plate, simplifying the bolting process when securing the frames to the floor.
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The chart below provides additional information that you may find useful. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Code | Height | Depth | Load Capacity | Horizontal Bracing | Diagonal Bracing | Base Plates | Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U-2000/400 | 2000mm | 400mm | 4000kg (max) | (3) Three | (2) Two | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2000/600 | 2000mm | 600mm | 4000kg (max) | (3) Three | (2) Two | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2000/800 | 2000mm | 800mm | 4000kg (max) | (3) Three | (2) Two | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2000/1200 | 2000mm | 1200mm | 4000kg (max) | (3) Three | (2) Two | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2500/400 | 2500mm | 400mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (3) Three | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2500/600 | 2500mm | 600mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (3) Three | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2500/800 | 2500mm | 800mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (3) Three | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-2500/1200 | 2500mm | 1200mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (3) Three | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-3000/400 | 3000mm | 400mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (4) Four | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-3000/600 | 3000mm | 600mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (4) Four | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-3000/800 | 3000mm | 800mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (4) Four | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-3000/1200 | 3000mm | 1200mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (4) Four | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-4000/400 | 4000mm | 400mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (5) Five | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-4000/600 | 4000mm | 600mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (5) Five | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-4000-800 | 4000mm | 800mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (5) Five | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
U-4000/1200 | 4000mm | 1200mm | 4000kg (max) | (2) Two | (5) Five | (2) Two | Pre-Assembled |
Horizontal Beams
Longspan "Horizontal" beams are essential for connecting to the frames and providing support for the shelves. To create one shelf, you will need two beams (a pair).
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At United Racking, our Longspan Beams feature the most advanced connection system available. When installed correctly, they create a rigid shelving system that surpasses inferior products in terms of strength and durability.
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Each beam is equipped with a 3-hook locking system that maximizes the strength of the connection to the frame. It is also adjustable at 50mm intervals, allowing you to customize the beam levels to align perfectly with the products you intend to store on the shelving system.
Our Longspan beams are manufactured as rolled box beams with a stepped profile, specifically designed to support shelving materials. This rolled box beam profile offers superior load capacities over longer beams and is considerably stronger than systems on the market featuring peculiar Z-shaped or pressed channels. The beam profile is the key to Longspan Shelving's reputation for strength and unmatched load capacities.
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The beam profile dimensions are 60-40-18-1.5, indicating a height of 60mm, a depth of 40mm, a step depth of 18mm, and a rolled steel thickness of 1.5mm. These dimensions contribute to the beam's exceptional strength.
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Our beams have a durable powder-coated finish and are available in three colors: Industrial Grey, Semi-Gloss Black, and Off-White.
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Each beam is supplied with two locking pins, serving a dual purpose. Firstly, the pins prevent accidental dislodging of the beam by securely locking it to the frame. Secondly, they act as guides to ensure proper installation. If the pin does not fit into the beam, tapping the beam into place may be necessary to align it correctly with the frame. When the frame and beam are correctly installed, the locking pin will easily drop into place, securing the beam.
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United Racking offers the widest range of beam lengths on the market, with nine different options available, each with varying load capacities. The table below provides details on the beam lengths and their respective load capacities.
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It is important to note that in commercial racking, when we refer to beam length, we are referring to the International "clear" span of the shelf, excluding the frame. Therefore, the overall external length of the bay will be the beam length plus two frames. This information is also outlined in the data table provided below.
Beam Length | Load (UDL) | Locking Pins | Colour Options | Starter Bay Length | Add On Bay Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600mm | 923kg | Included | Three | 720mm | 660mm |
900mm | 815kg | Included | Three | 1020mm | 960mm |
1200mm | 793kg | Included | Three | 1320mm | 1260mm |
1500mm | 635kg | Included | Three | 1620mm | 1560mm |
1800mm | 529kg | Included | Three | 1920mm | 1860mm |
2000mm | 471kg | Included | Three | 2120mm | 2060mm |
2400mm | 327kg | Included | Three | 2520mm | 2460mm |
2700mm | 258kg | Included | Three | 2820mm | 2760mm |
3000mm | 209kg | Included | Three | 3120mm | 3060mm |
Shelving Options
We offer Longspan Shelving with three different material options: Timber, Wire, and Galvanised Sheetmetal. Each option has been custom designed to perfectly complement your Longspan Shelving system.
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Timber Shelves are the preferred choice, accounting for approximately 90% of the shelving systems we provide. They are not only incredibly strong but also the most cost-effective option, offering a wide range of sizes. Our Timber Shelves feature 18mm thick particle boards, which are considerably thicker than many others on the market. These boards are pre-cut to size, ensuring a perfect fit into your Longspan beams. With an 18mm depth, they sit flush within the step of the beams, creating a seamless finish. Timber shelving is available for the entire range of Longspan Shelving.
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Wire Decking is another popular choice, offering the benefit of not collecting dust and allowing light to pass through. Currently, our Wire Decks are available in the "Industrial Grey" colour and a limited range of sizes. Some of the less common shelf sizes are only available with the timber option. For details on which shelves are available with this upgrade option, please contact your local United Racking branch.
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Galvanised Sheetmetal shelves are commonly used for storing chemicals due to their easy cleanability in case of spills. This upgrade option is available only for the standard sizes of Longspan Shelves. For information on which shelves have this option, please reach out to your local United Racking branch.