Drive-In/Drive-Through Rack LIFO/FIFO Industrial Racking Systems

Drive-In and Drive-Through Racking Systems: A cost effective solution to high-density storage

- Drive-In and Drive-Through racking systems are static systems with rails running the depth of the rack for high-density storage of palletized goods. They are characterized by allowing forklifts to drive directly into the rack structure to access pallets. The drive-in rack depth reduces the need for aisles and dramatically increases cubic space utilization.
Drive-in rack loads and retrieves from the same side (Last-In, First-Out LIFO inventory management), providing low-cost bulk storage along with guaranteed stock rotation. The supporting beam is located in the rear of the rack. Drive-through rack loads from one end and retrieves from the opposite end (First-In, First-Out FIFO inventory management). The lift truck is capable of driving straight through the structure, and the supporting beam is located in the middle of the rack.
Both systems are easy to install – simple support arms hold rails and can be attached to existing selective pallet rack or special structural designs.
If you have large volumes of like products, drive-in and drive-through rack is a perfect fit. Due to the Last-In, First-Out inventory method, drive-in rack provides limited selectivity. Drive-through racks offer a bit more selectivity since pallets can be accessed from either end of rack. Dense storage can create space for up to seven times more product than floor stacking and three times more than pallet rack because pallets are stored back-to-back, floor-to-ceiling.
These high-density racking systems are typically subject to more abuse than selective racks due to the way they are utilized, so rack integrity and strength are very important factors. The choice between drive-in and drive-through depends on the desired inventory management method (LIFO or FIFO) and the level of selectivity required.
Common Applications
- - Cold Storage – commonly used in cold storage facilities where maximizing storage density is critical.
  - Bulk Storage – suitable for storing large quantities of homogeneous products where batch or date rotation is not a primary concern.
  - Limited Aisle Space –ideal for facilities with limited aisle space as they eliminate the need for multiple aisles between racks.
  - Seasonal Inventory – highly effective for businesses with seasonal inventory fluctuations that require high-density storage during peak seasons.
  - Cost-Efficient Storage – ideal for maximizing warehouse space utilization since their dense storage method can create space for up to seven times more product than floor stacking and three times more than pallet rack since pallets are stored back-to-back and floor-to-ceiling.