06/02/2026
RACK 101: Know Your Space Before You Buy
Before you buy a single piece of rack, measure your space. It sounds obvious until you've made the mistake.
The numbers you need:
Ceiling height. Your rack height plus the load on top needs clearance. Most sprinkler codes require 18 inches between the top of your load and the sprinkler head. Check before you buy tall.
Floor space. Map out your bays and your aisles. A standard selective rack bay is about 8 to 10 feet wide. Forklifts need 10 to 12 feet of aisle to operate safely. Hand pallet jacks need less, but they still need room.
Floor condition. Rack anchors into concrete. If your floor is cracked, uneven, or has a coating, know that before installation day.
A quick sketch on paper beats a return shipment every time.
Not sure what configuration works for your space? Our team at Capital Industrial works through this every day. Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
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