Baker's Rack Wire Shelving
-Patrick S Lasswell
Things Your Team Needs: Equipment Storage Organizers
What is it? Baker's Racks Wire Shelving (industrial)
What does it do? Holds gear off the ground (or floor) away from pests and excessive stacking loads.
Why do we need it? Metal wire racks allows air to circulate. Baker's racks are sturdy enough to withstand shipment in ISU-90 boxes while keeping cased gear separate. Allows seabags to be stored so that each is accessible and spoilage is minimized. Assembles quickly with minimal training. Available casters allow entire rack to be moved while loaded. Industrial wire shelving holds substantial loads that residential grade product does not. Allows fire fighting sprinklers and hoses access.
Where can we get it? Material handling equipment vendors. F.E. Bennet Company. http://www.febennett.com/ (NOT Costco, Home Depot, Lowes)
What kind should we get? Square Post Open Wire Shelving. Available in a broad variety of sizes. For heavy loads, use smaller shelves with more posts to better distribute load to the floor. http://www.p4i.com/ecommerce/eComm?template=iCatalog/0158&cust_no=110286&ship_no=-1&user_id=
GSA Contract, Part or Stock Numbers? various
How much does it cost? $6-10 per square foot of shelving, not less than $200 for a full sized rack.
Why is this better than what is issued? Open purchased wire shelving will fit the unit requirements much better than issued or salvaged wire shelving will. Expensive shelving that works will protect gear much better than cheap shelving that fails.
What stupid things will be done with it? Overloading. Loading jagged objects directly on wires causing breakage of racks or gear. Loaded into metal floor shipping containers without plywood dunnage to protect floor. Left unsecured to walls and shipped where tipping is possible. Loaded with wet gear and not dried for months. Purchase home use instead of industrial shelving. Assembled badly.
Additional supplies needed? Plywood dunnage for loading into ISU-90 boxes or other containers. Dead-blow plastic hammer for setting shelves. Spare sleeves.
Patrick S Lasswell is a member of the Inactive Ready Reserve and would be happy to help your unit get the best equipment for its mission. Contact him at pslblog (at) gmail (dot) com. He will be happy to accept your gratitude in the form of unpaid drill credits. Persons willing to donate money will not be turned away.
