Longspan Shelving
Longspan Shelving is the ideal storage solution for those looking for a mid-range option that can fit into tight spaces while holding heavier items such as boxes and parts. Our heavy duty frames and box beams boast immense load capacities, making this modular system adaptable to suit your specific needs. Although we offer Longspan in kit form, including Starter Bay, Add on Bay, and Extra Shelves, we can also customize a system to perfectly fit your requirements. Whether you need only three levels in a bay or want to incorporate a workbench or a custom design, we've got you covered.
Longspan Shelving is the go-to industry standard for a reliable shelving system with realistic load ratings. It's why it's so popular on mining sites and in massive warehouses, but it's also available for your personal use, offering a level above the alternatives.
How to order Longspan Shelving
Designing and measuring Longspan Shelving can be a bit tricky due to its modular nature. That's why we would be delighted to have a chat with you to ensure all the important details are confirmed. Our friendly sales team is always available to assist you and discuss everything related to Longspan Shelving.
While we have provided detailed technical information below for your convenience, we understand that you may prefer a conversation instead. Simply give us a call, and we'll be more than happy to share all the essential details with you.
Convenient Online Purchase Process
If you already know what you need and prefer a quick purchase without a chat, we have an online shop available through our sister company, United Racking. By visiting their website, you'll find a wide range of Longspan Shelving options along with their respective prices. It's important to note that United Racking and Adelaide Warehouse Supplies are part of the same company, meaning you'll be dealing with the same knowledgeable staff throughout the entire process.
How to measure up for Longspan Shelving
When measuring to see what size Longspan system is best for you, there are four important measurement you will need to know, this will explain it all for you making the ordering process easy.
(1) Height: This is the distance from the floor to the top of the Upright Frame, how high would you like the frame to be? Longspan Shelving is available with 4 height options, 2000mm, 2500mm, 3000mm & 4000mm.
(2) Depth: This is the front to back measurement, how deep would you like the shelves to be? Our frames are available in depths of 400mm, 600mm (most popular), 800mm & 1200mm
(3) Length: The distance from the left side to the right side, how wide would you like the shelving to be? To work out the length of the bay you need to allow an extra 60mm per Upright Frame, plus the length of the beam. For example if you have a standalone bay with 1500mm long beams, the external length of the bay will be about 1620mm. This works out to be the beam length (1500mm) plus 2x frames that you need to allow 60mm each for (2x 60mm = 120mm) If you were adding a bay to an existing bay, (Add On Bay) you would need to allow for the beam length and only (1) frame, this means the “Add On Bay” will be about 1560mm externally. If this is all a bit tricky to work out, don’t worry, just give us a call and we will work it out for you, thats what we do. We have 9 beam lengths available; 600mm, 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm, 1800mm, 2000mm, 2400mm, 2700mm and 3000mm.
(4) Load Capacity: This is how much weight you are likely to have on each shelf. If you are storing heavy items you may need a shorter beam to get a higher load capacity, if you storing light items then you could use the longer beams that have a lower load capacity. When you are considering the load capacity that you will need for each shelf you will need to allow for the weight to be evenly distributed over the shelf. We call this the Uniformly Distributed Load or “UDL”
The load capacity of each shelf is calculated over the full shelf, and supported by the beams, it is not calculated on a section of the shelf. If you have a really heavy but small item, look at using a smaller beam length to increase the load capacity.
Benefits of Longspan Shelving
There are a lot of shelving products on the market these days but nothing compares to the "original" Longspan Shelving. There has been no cost-cutting to try and compete with light-duty "cheapy" shelving systems because that's not what Longspan is about. Longspan is basically a scaled-down Pallet Racking system and follows the same engineering designs as pallet Racking which results in a product that has extremely high (and believable) load ratings. Here are some of the benefits of Longspan shelving and the reason why it is the best product on the market.
Why are the frames better?
Longspan Frames are made from heavy gauge steel so that you can really load a bay up, they are designed to take up to 4000kg per bay when correctly installed. When you pick up a frame you can feel the weight in it, they are heavy for a reason. All of our frames are pre-assembled in our warehouse (in Australia) so you don't have any nuts or bolts to do up, they are 100% ready for installation. The horizontal and diagonal bracing is all bolted in place, not welded. Bolting is the strongest method and eliminates the possibility of cracking welds. You will never see Pallet Racking with welded bracing and Pallet Racking is engineered to have the highest load capacities possible, that's why we don't weld the frames we bolt them.
On the bottom of the frame you will find large heavy-duty base plates, these plates have multiple holes so that they can be bolted to the floor. The large size of the base plate gives the frame a larger "Footprint" making the entire system more stable on the floor.
What's so good about the beams?
There are a lot of beams on the market that are made from channels or folded into weird shapes but there is only one design that is the strongest. Our rolled box beam is far superior to the other styles and is the way that we can have larger load capacities and longer beam lengths. Longspan beams have a solid bracket that mounts to the frame, they have a three-hook connector system that securely inserts into the frame making the frame and beam connection superior to others on the market. The way our beams connect increases the structural strength of the entire system and results in a rigid design that is solid and does not "wobble" or "sway". Each beam has two locking pins that insert into the frame, when these locking pins are in place there is no way that a beam can accidentally be knocked out or become dislodged. The step design is customised to suit an 18mm shelf, anything less than 18mm would be cutting corners and that's not what Longspan Shelving is all about.
Beam Length | Load Capacity | Locking Pins | Colours | Starter Bay Length | Add-On-Bay Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600mm | 923kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 720mm | 660mm |
900mm | 815kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 1020mm | 960mm |
1200mm | 793kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 1320mm | 1260mm |
1500mm | 635kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 1620mm | 1560mm |
1800mm | 529kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 1920mm | 1860mm |
2000mm | 471kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 2120mm | 2060mm |
2400mm | 327kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 2520mm | 2460mm |
2700mm | 258kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 2820mm | 2760mm |
3000mm | 209kg (UDL) | Included | Grey, Black & White | 3120mm | 3060mm |
Range of Sizes:
United Racking (Adelaide Warehouse Supplies) has the largest range of Longspan Shelving in Australia. There is no other product with the same Length, Height, Depth or Colour options available. We stock four different frame heights, have four frame depth options and have nine beam lengths available. Just imagine how many combinations this can create, not to mention the option of colours or having as many shelves as you need.
Shelving Options:
Longspan shelving has 3 shelving options, most commonly we use an 18mm particle board because it is strong and extremely affordable but we also have the option to upgrade to a wire decking or galvanised sheet metal. If you have a special requirement for shelving just have a chat with your local United Racking branch and we can go through the options with you.
Colours:
We understand that 90% of our shelving goes into warehouse environments where colour is not really important but for those other situations when you want something that looks a bit fancy we have options for you. We stock three different colours and they are all the same price.
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Industrial Grey, is the most popular and great for hiding dust and grime
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Semi-Gloss Black, very slick and ideal for when you want to make an impression
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Off-White, is great in showrooms but can show up a bit of dust when in a warehouse environment.
Range of Sizes:
United Racking has the largest range of Longspan Shelving in Australia. There is no other product with the same Length, Height, Depth or Colour options available. We stock four different frame heights, have four frame depth options and have nine beam lengths available. Just imagine how many combinations this can create, not to mention the option of colours or having as many shelves as you need.
Shelving Options:
Longspan shelving has 3 shelving options, most commonly we use an 18mm particle board because it is strong and extremely affordable but we also have the option to upgrade to a wire decking or galvanised sheet metal. If you have a special requirement for shelving just have a chat with your local United Racking branch and we can go through the options with you.
Colours:
We understand that 90% of our shelving goes into warehouse environments where colour is not really important but for those other situations when you want something that looks a bit fancy we have options for you. We stock three different colours and they are all the same price.
-
Industrial Grey, is the most popular and great for hiding dust and grime
-
Semi-Gloss Black, very slick and ideal for when you want to make an impression
-
Off-White, is great in showrooms but can show up a bit of dust when in a warehouse environment.
Installation:
Installing Longspan Shelving is easy, we pre-assemble all the frames and cut the timbers to size. There are no nuts and bolts to do up (we have done that for you) and it all clicks together. The timber shelves are all pre-cut to size and slot into place. If you don't have the time or are a bit overwhelmed by the installation process, no need to worry just let us know and we can provide you with a very competitive installation price or guide you through the process from start to finish...
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.
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.
For each "Starter Bay," you will receive two Frames, and for each "Add-on Bay," you will receive one Frame.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The chart below provides additional information that you may find useful. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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).
At United Racking (Adelaide Warehouse supplies), 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.
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.
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.
Our beams have a durable powder-coated finish and are available in three colors: Industrial Grey, Semi-Gloss Black, and Off-White.
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.
United Racking (Adelaide Warehouse Supplies) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.