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Shelving for cold storage at temperatures of -25 °C: express selection guide

  • Aug 16
  • 2 min read

For a freezer warehouse at -25 °C, the racking system is selected based on the inventory structure, turnover, required access to pallets, and the cost of the refrigerated volume.


The more expensive it is to maintain a cubic meter of the chamber, the greater the weight of storage density. At the same time, the system must provide the required speed of operations and the product rotation scheme. Therefore, according to the rules, the specification is built from the basic characteristics of the cargo to the low-temperature performance of individual components.


Next is a specific sequence of choices.

1. Collect basic data for the project

The initial specification describes the flow of goods that the system will serve. Enter five groups of parameters into the calculation:

  • cargo: type and dimensions of the pallet, maximum weight of the loaded unit;

  • stock: number of product items (SKU), pallets for each item and expiration dates;

  • flow: receipt and shipment of pallets per shift, separately — peak load;

  • rotation: FIFO, FEFO or LIFO;

  • object: working height of the chamber, stability and evenness of the floor, characteristics of the loader.

FEFO stands for first-in, first-out, and FIFO stands for earliest-in. For products with expiration dates, these rules determine the required access to the batches. Based on the data collected, calculate the warehouse racks for capacity, tier height, storage depth, and aisles.

2. Choose a system based on your inventory structure

The type of shelving determines the ratio of direct access, density and speed of cargo handling:

  • frontal: wide range of SKUs, small stock of each item, direct access to each pallet;

  • Drive-in/Drive-through: large, uniform batches and high density; Drive-in operates on LIFO, Drive-through supports FIFO;

  • gravity: many pallets per SKU, high turnover and consistent FIFO; roller channels feed the next pallet to the selection area;

  • mobile: high density with direct access; rows move on rails and open one working aisle. Such systems are used in chambers down to -25 °C and below;

  • Pallet Shuttle: Deep channels, many pallets per SKU and intense flows; the shuttle moves pallets inside the channel while the forklift operates at its entrance.

3. Check low temperature performance

The operating temperature of -25 °C is set for the entire system: frames, traverses and functional components. For metal construction, check the low-temperature design and protective coating. In areas with moisture and condensation, install galvanized elements, which provide higher corrosion resistance.


Mobile systems require testing of actuators, sensors, rollers, wheels and lubricants at minimum operating temperatures. For mobile racks, the specification also includes rails, electric drive and control system.

4. Reduce technology and economics to four indicators

Make a final comparison based on four indicators:

  • Cost of one pallet space - divide the full price of the racking system after installation by its actual capacity.

  • Storage density is the number of pallet spaces that the system provides per cubic meter of refrigerated volume.

  • Operational productivity is the number of pallets that a warehouse can receive, place, or retrieve per hour.

  • Cooling costs per pallet space - annual costs for maintaining temperature are correlated with the actual capacity of the chamber.

Such a set shows initial investment, density and productivity.

 
 
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