Planning A Storage Layout With Speedrax

Planning a new storage racking layout can feel a bit overwhelming, especially when you're staring at an empty warehouse or garage and trying to picture exactly how everything's going to fit. The good news? With Speedrax shelving systems, you've got a flexible, boltless solution that's manufactured right here in the UK by IronStor: and it's designed to make your life easier, not harder.

This guide walks you through the entire planning process, from measuring your space to choosing the right shelf materials. Let's get stuck in.

Step 1: Measure Your Space (And We Mean Everything)

Before you even think about ordering racking, grab a tape measure and get familiar with every inch of your space. You'll need to know:

• Floor dimensions: Length and width of the area where racking will sit
• Ceiling height: This determines your maximum racking height
• Obstructions: Mark out columns, electrical panels, sprinkler systems, doorways, windows, and anything else that eats into your usable space
• Loading bay or access points: Where will stock enter and exit?

Sketch it out on paper or use a basic drawing tool: nothing fancy required. Just make sure your measurements are accurate. A few centimetres here and there might not sound like much, but when you're trying to squeeze in another bay of shelving, it matters.

Top tip: Don't forget to measure the width of your forklift or pallet truck (if you're using one). You'll need this later when planning aisle widths.

Step 2: Work Out Your Load Capacity Needs

Not all racking is created equal, and this is where you need to think about what you're actually storing. Speedrax comes in Medium Duty and Heavy Duty options, and choosing the wrong one can be a costly mistake.

Medium Duty Speedrax is perfect for lighter loads: think boxes of components, archive files, or retail stock. Each shelf can handle up to 375kg UDL (Uniformly Distributed Load) depending on configuration. It's cost-effective and ideal for most general storage needs.

Heavy Duty Speedrax, on the other hand, is the beast of the range. We're talking up to 600kg per shelf when properly configured. This is what you need for storing heavy machinery parts, bulk liquids, or dense materials like metal stock.

Ask yourself:

• What's the heaviest item I'll be storing?
• Will I be stacking multiple heavy items on one shelf?
• Do I need flexibility to move between light and heavy storage in the future?

If you're not sure, it's better to overspec slightly than find out the hard way that your shelves can't handle the weight.

Step 3: Choose Your Racking Heights

Speedrax systems come in three popular heights: 1780mm, 2080mm, and 2400mm. Your choice here depends on your ceiling height, what you're storing, and how you're accessing items.

1780mm is the compact option: great for lower-ceilinged spaces like garages or smaller stockrooms. It keeps everything within easy reach without needing ladders or steps.

2080mm is the sweet spot for many businesses. It maximises vertical space without pushing too close to standard ceiling heights, and it's tall enough to store a decent amount of stock without feeling cramped.

2400mm is for when you really want to make the most of your vertical space. Ideal for warehouses with high ceilings, but remember: you'll need proper warehouse steps (like our British Standard Step range) to access the top shelves safely.

Safety note: Always leave clearance between the top of your racking and ceiling-mounted sprinklers, lights, or ventilation. Check local fire safety regulations if you're unsure.

Step 4: Pick Your Shelf Material

This is where people often get tripped up. Speedrax offers two main shelf material options: galvanised steel and chipboard. Both have their place, but they're designed for different environments.

Galvanised steel shelves are your go-to for:

• Damp or humid environments (workshops, garages, outdoor storage)
• Heavy or sharp items that might damage chipboard
• Areas where hygiene is critical (food storage, medical supplies)
• Long-term durability and strength

Chipboard shelves are perfect for:

• Dry, climate-controlled environments (offices, retail stockrooms)
• Lighter loads and boxed goods
• Budget-conscious projects where moisture isn't a concern
• Smooth surfaces that won't snag packaging

At IronStor, we manufacture both options to the same exacting standards. The choice really comes down to your specific environment and what you're storing.

Step 5: Plan Your Aisle Widths and Workflow

This is where good planning separates an efficient warehouse from a cluttered nightmare.

Your aisle width needs to accommodate:

• The width of any equipment (forklifts, pallet trucks, trolleys)
• Safe turning radius for that equipment
• Space for two people to pass if you've got a busy operation
• Enough room to actually pick items from shelves without gymnastics

As a general rule:

• Hand-picking operations need minimum 900mm–1200mm aisles
• Pallet truck operations typically need 2400mm–3000mm
• Forklift operations can require 3000mm+ depending on the forklift type

Think about your workflow too. Where does stock arrive? Where does it get picked? Where does it ship out from? You want a logical flow that minimises backtracking and wasted steps. A U-shaped layout (receiving and dispatching at opposite ends, storage in between) is a classic for good reason.

Step 6: Consider Future Flexibility

Here's where Speedrax really shines. Because it's a boltless system, you can reconfigure it without needing an engineering degree or a toolbox full of spanners. This means:

• Shelf heights are adjustable on 50mm increments: move them up or down as your needs change
• You can add or remove shelves without dismantling the whole unit
• Bays can be extended or reduced fairly easily
• It's genuinely DIY-friendly for most people

When planning your layout, leave yourself a bit of breathing room. Don't pack every square metre so tightly that you've got no flexibility. Your storage needs will evolve, and Speedrax is designed to evolve with you.

Step 7: Do the Maths on Quantities

Now that you know your space, your load requirements, and your aisle widths, it's time to calculate how many bays you actually need.

Start by listing:

• Total number of pallets or storage units you need to accommodate
• How many shelves per bay (typically 4-5 on most Speedrax units)
• How many items fit per shelf

Then work backwards. If you need to store 100 boxes and you can fit 10 boxes per shelf across 4 shelves, that's 40 boxes per bay. You'd need at least 3 bays to accommodate everything: but remember to add a bit of buffer for growth.

Pro tip: Order 10-15% more capacity than you think you need right now. It's much easier (and cheaper) to install it all at once than to retrofit later.

Step 8: Factor in Safety and Compliance

Even though Speedrax is designed for easy assembly, you still need to think about safety:

• Anchor heavy-duty units to the floor or wall if required by load or height
• Ensure the heaviest items are stored on lower shelves
• Use anti-slip mats or shelf liners for smooth items
• Install edge protection in high-traffic areas to prevent bumps and damage
• Keep fire exits and emergency equipment accessible
• Don't overload shelves beyond their rated capacity

If you're installing in a commercial environment, check whether you need to comply with specific health and safety regulations. It's always worth a quick chat with an expert if you're unsure.

Step 9: Create a Layout Plan

You don't need fancy CAD software (though it helps). Even a hand-drawn plan with measurements is fine. Mark out:

• Each bay's position and dimensions
• Aisle widths
• Access routes and doorways
• Any fixed obstacles

At IronStor, our team can help review your layout plan if you want a second pair of eyes on it. Sometimes a small tweak: like swapping the orientation of a bay: can make a huge difference to efficiency.

Ready to Get Started?

Planning a storage racking layout with Speedrax systems doesn't have to be complicated. Take it step by step, measure carefully, and think about both your current needs and future growth. The beauty of Speedrax is that it's forgiving: if you need to adjust later, you can do it without starting from scratch.

And because it's manufactured right here in the UK by IronStor, you're getting quality engineering with proper support when you need it. No waiting weeks for parts from overseas, no language barriers when you've got a question, just solid British-made storage that does what it says on the tin.

If you want advice or to learn more about how Speedrax can transform your storage space, get in touch here  , call us (01782 770100) or email: info@ironstor.co.uk. We're always happy to help you find the right solution for your specific setup.