Selective pallet racking is the most widely used industrial pallet racking and warehouse racking system in Belgium — and for good reason. Every pallet position is individually accessible from the working aisle, making it the ideal solution for warehouses with a wide range of SKUs. MagazijnService.be designs, supplies, and installs pallet racking from leading manufacturers including Mecalux, Stow, OHRA, Nedcon, and AR Racking.

Types of Selective Pallet Racking

Standard selective racking

The classic layout features single-access racks against the walls and double-access (back-to-back) racks in the centre. Every pallet is directly reachable by forklift from the aisle. One storage location = one pallet = total stock control.

Double-deep pallet racking

Double-deep racks store one pallet behind another on each side of the aisle, effectively doubling storage density on the same floor area. Direct access is available only to the front pallet, so this variant is recommended for products with multiple pallets per SKU. Requires a reach truck with double-depth telescopic forks.

Pallet Types Supported

Euro pallets — 800×1,200 mm (standard), also 1,000×1,200 mm and 1,200×1,200 mm; handled from the 800 mm narrow side
Perimeter base pallets — similar to Euro pallets with two additional bottom deckboards
Metal containers — various shapes; may require pallet support bars
Other loads — drums, barrels, rolls, coils (with appropriate accessories)

Forklift Compatibility & Aisle Widths

The aisle width and maximum rack height depend on the type of forklift used. Reference figures for 1,200×800 mm pallets handled from the 800 mm side:

Forklift type	Min. aisle width	Max. lifting height
Pallet stacker	2,200–2,300 mm	5,200 mm
Counterbalanced forklift	3,200–3,500 mm	7,000 mm
Reach truck	2,600–2,900 mm	12,000 mm
Bilateral turret truck	1,500–1,600 mm	13,500 mm
Trilateral turret truck	1,700–1,900 mm	14,500 mm
Stacker crane (AS/RS)	1,500–1,650 mm	45,000 mm

Forklift types for industrial pallet racking — aisle width and maximum height Belgium

Standard Beam Lengths

Beam length is determined by pallet size and the number of pallets per bay. Uprights are slotted every 50 mm for precise height adjustment.

Pallet (A×B mm)	2 pallets/bay	3 pallets/bay
800×1,200	1,825 mm	2,700 mm
1,000×1,200	2,225 mm	3,300 mm
1,200×1,200	2,625 mm	3,900 mm

Standard frame depth: 1,100 mm for pallets handled from the narrow side.

Advantages of Pallet Racking

Direct access to every pallet — each storage location holds one pallet, accessible from the working aisle at any time
Total stock control — one location per pallet enables precise inventory management and WMS integration
Maximum adaptability — suits pallets and containers of any weight and volume; beam heights adjustable in 50 mm increments
Configurable and scalable — easily expanded by adding bays, levels, or entire aisles as your business grows
Order picking ready — lower levels can be configured for manual picking; upper levels served by order pickers or forklifts
EN 15512 certified — all installations meet Belgian and European structural safety standards

Safety Standards

All pallet racking supplied and installed by MagazijnService.be is designed and calculated in accordance with:

EN 15512 — Steel static storage systems: structural design
EN 15620 — Tolerances, deformations and clearances
EN 15629 — Specification of storage equipment
EN 15635 — Application and maintenance of storage equipment

Each installation includes a safe load warning sign specifying the maximum permitted loads per bay and level. Annual inspection in accordance with EN 15635 is recommended.

Applications

Wide SKU range — the universal choice when many different products need individual access
3PL logistics centres — flexible layout suits multi-client storage with varying turnover rates
Industrial warehouses — from small facilities to large distribution centres, heights up to 12 m with reach trucks
Double-deep variant — where fewer SKUs with high volume need maximum density without full drive-in investment
Cold and freezer storage — racking components suitable for refrigerated environments down to −30°C

Looking for a more budget-friendly option? Browse our used pallet racking for sale — inspected, up to 60% cheaper than new.

Request a Quote

We design and install industrial warehouse racking and pallet racking systems throughout Belgium — Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, Mechelen, Liège and all regions. Our specialists visit your site, take measurements, and provide a free AutoCAD layout with a detailed quote within 24 hours.

Our works

Pallet rack installation project for our client

See also

Shelf Racks

Automatic Trilateral Warehouse Cranes in Belgium

Trilateral Cranes

Stow

Ohra

Big Box Rack M7

Mecalux

FAQ

Question - answer

What is pallet racking?

Selective pallet racking is the most widespread storage system in warehouses that stock palletised goods. This is due to its versatility, simple construction, easy assembly and relatively low cost. Moreover, it is the only system that offers direct access to every pallet stored, ensuring efficient inventory management. This makes pallet racks the perfect solution for companies that handle many SKUs and few pallets of each.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of pallet racking?

The main advantage of selective pallet racking lies in direct access to each pallet stored. This ensures maximum agility in loading and unloading operations and efficient inventory management. Similarly, its versatility and the large number of storage locations it provides make it the ideal solution for multiple storage needs. However, the choice of these racks may limit storage capacity in certain circumstances, particularly when dealing with few SKUs and many pallets per each. In this case, high-density storage systems are generally recommended. Examples include drive-in racking, pallet flow racking, push-back pallet racking and the Pallet Shuttle system.

What are standard pallet racking dimensions?

Selective pallet racking dimensions are adapted to the requirements of each warehouse. Rack height can range from a few metres to over 40 metres (in automated warehouses). There is no limit in length: racking units can be installed one after another. Nevertheless, safety passageways must be enabled, and interior tunnels can be created as a shortcut between aisles. The depth of the frame is determined by the dimensions of the pallet. For a Euro-pallet measuring 1,200 mm deep, the frame will normally be 1,100 mm.

How long are pallet rack beams?

The length of selective pallet racking beams is subject to the type of pallet stored. For instance, for Euro-pallets, standard beam lengths are 1,825, 2,700 and 3,600 mm. In the case of North American (GMA) pallets, beam dimensions are 2,225 and 3,300 mm.

What is the safety locking mechanism?

The endplate that joins the beam and upright features a built-in safety locking mechanism designed to make the structure even safer. Since it forms part of the endplate itself, the mechanism is always activated. Once in place, it cannot be removed without completely dismantling the beam. This prevents accidental or deliberate manipulation, ensuring the strength and stability of the racking. The safety locking mechanism is an exclusive innovation of Mecalux.

What is cataphoresis?

Cataphoresis is an immersion coating process that provides high corrosion resistance. Notably, it also covers the entire surface of the pieces, reaching even the most inaccessible parts and ensuring a uniform coating thickness. This enhances the components’ resistance to corrosion while safeguarding edges and corners. Mecalux applies cataphoresis coating to the uprights that make up pallet rack frames.

Can you only store pallets on selective pallet racking?

While primarily used for pallet storage, pallet racks can be adapted through various accessories to accommodate other types of loads, such as containers (metal, plastic and wood), reels, drums and other cylindrical items. It can also house different medium-sized and large unpalletised products.

Is it possible to place shelves on pallet racks?

n their standard configuration, pallet racking does not use shelves, as pallets are stored directly on the beams. However, it is possible to place metal or chipboard shelves on the beams. This will adapt the racks to house other types of unit loads and perform additional operations, such as order picking directly from the racking.

Can order picking be performed with selective pallet racking?

Yes, pallet racks are compatible with order picking, allowing for both storage functions and picking tasks. One option is to perform order picking directly from the pallets located at floor level. This is a common practice in many warehouses. Likewise, it is possible to allocate the first 2 or 3 levels of the racking to order picking directly from pallets. This strategy can be implemented provided that the location heights are appropriate and operators can access the products easily (assisted, for example, by an order picker). Another alternative is to place picking shelves on the lower levels. This makes it possible to store other types of unit loads while housing reserve pallets on the upper racking levels.

Which forklifts are most appropriate for working with selective pallet racking?

Any type of forklift can be used (counterbalanced, reach trucks, VNA trucks, etc.), as long as the aisle has the appropriate width and the machines can reach the upper load levels. In the case of double-deep pallet racking, the forklift employed must have telescopic forks to reach the pallet furthest away. When using VNA trucks — typically used in narrow aisles with high-bay pallet racking — a guidance system is installed to direct the forklift’s path within the working aisle. This system can be mechanically guided, using profiles fitted to both sides of the aisle and anchored to the floor. Alternatively, it can be wire-guided, whereby a wire is embedded into the floor, producing a magnetic field to direct the forklift’s movement.

Can pallet racks be automated?

In warehouses using VNA trucks, pallet racking with a height of up to 15 m can be easily automated, without altering the structure of the storage system. This is achieved by installing automatic trilateral stacker cranes. This solution, equipped with a trilateral extraction system, fully automates storage and retrieval operations. In the event that you require complete automation of pallet storage, Mecalux can assist you in the design and implementation of an automated warehouse.

Leave
a request

and we will calculate the final price

Optimize your warehouse space?

Custom warehouse racking for every business in Antwerp and throughout Belgium. Fast delivery and professional installation by certified specialists.

Pallet Racking Systems in Belgium