Wire Deck Support Channels
This week’s #RackArt image is a cool perspective of an ITC U-Channel wire deck. Wire decks can vary in size, capacity, color, finish, mesh pattern and other variables, but one attribute remains true: the support channel is the backbone of the deck, and provides most of the weight capacity. Channels themselves can vary, too. Take, for example, the “U” channels and flare channels. Looking at the picture above, it’s easy to tell how U channel decks got their name. These U-shaped channels support the bulk of the weight placed on a wire deck, and are superior to flare channels in terms of weight capacity. Flare channels, which derive their name from the fact that they “flare” over the top of beams instead of sitting in the beam step, are universal, meaning they can be used with any type of beam.
Even within U-shaped support channels there can be variance, however. While the support channels pictured above are considered standard and are the most common form of U channel deck, U channel wire decks are also available for custom orders with the channel turned upside-down. Why would anyone want their support channels turned upside-down? To be different? On a whim? Actually, the most common reason is that the decks are going to be used for an application in which there’s a high risk of product becoming trapped in the channels. Such is the case in food storage, for example. For warehouses that store food products, a simple turn of the support channels can prevent a messy nightmare.
Little modifications, such as the turning upside-down of wire deck support channels, can end up paying off big time for companies in the long run. Many of our clients are unaware of the small custom tweaks that can be made in order to optimize the utility of their storage systems. If you’re planning on having a rack system quoted, don’t hesitate to ask if an option is available that would make your rack system more effective and tailored to your unique operations.
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