Selective Pallet Racking
Selective pallet racking stores one pallet deep with 100% selectivity. DACO lists Bay size: 96″ wide by 44″ deep is the most common. Interlake Mecalux says for a standard GMA pallet that’s 48" deep, the frame is typically 42" deep. MH-USA says Selective pallet rack is the most common warehouse racking system.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Selective pallet racking
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Selectivity | One pallet deep, 100% direct access | DACO |
| Common bay size | The most common bay size is 96 inches wide by 44 inches deep | DACO |
| Frame depth for 48″ GMA | for a standard GMA pallet that’s 48" deep, the frame is typically 42" deep | Interlake Mecalux |
| Upright frame depth options | 36″, 42″, 48″ | MH-USA |
| Frame depth for 48″×40″ pallets | 42″ standard for 48″×40″ pallets; 48″ for oversized loads | MH-USA |
| Load beam length | 92", 96", 108", 120", 144" | MH-USA |
| Pallets per beam | 96" holds two 40"-wide pallets; 144" usually holds three | MH-USA |
| Rack height range | Rack heights typically range from 4' to 40' | Interlake Mecalux |
| Upright adjustability | posts are slotted every 2" | Interlake Mecalux |
| Beam pair capacity | Beam capacities range from approximately 2,500 lbs per pair for light-duty systems up to 14,000+ lbs per pair for heavy-duty configurations | MH-USA |
| Frame capacity | A standard 42″ × 144″ upright frame might carry 19,000–24,000 lbs total | MH-USA |
| Wire deck ratings | In Nashville Wire’s quick-ship list, ratings run from about 1,750 lb to 3,650 lb per deck | MH-USA |
| Price per position (Hammerhead) | New selective pallet racking from quality manufacturers runs $80 to $100 per position for non-seismic applications and $100 to $120 for seismic | Hammerhead |
| Price per position (Reynolds) | Complete installed selective systems with accessories and labor commonly fall between $150 and $450 per position | Reynolds |
| Narrow-aisle width | Increase pallet storage capacity by 40–50% by reducing aisle widths from 12 feet down to as narrow as 5 feet | MH-USA |
| One-deep definition | stores pallets one deep, providing 100% direct forklift access | Warehouse Solutions Inc |
One-deep access and common sizes
DACO lists 100% selectivity and One pallet deep, 100% direct access, with Bay size: 96″ wide by 44″ deep is the most common. Interlake Mecalux lists direct access to each pallet and for a standard GMA pallet that’s 48" deep, the frame is typically 42" deep. MH-USA lists frame depths 36″, 42″, 48″ with 42″ standard for 48″×40″ pallets; 48″ for oversized loads, and beam lengths 92", 96", 108", 120", 144". Warehouse Solutions Inc says stores pallets one deep, providing 100% direct forklift access and supports FIFO inventory rotation.
Heights, capacity, and VNA aisles
Interlake Mecalux says Rack heights typically range from 4' to 40' and posts are slotted every 2". MH-USA says Beam capacities range from approximately 2,500 lbs per pair for light-duty systems up to 14,000+ lbs per pair for heavy-duty configurations, and A standard 42″ × 144″ upright frame might carry 19,000–24,000 lbs total. MH-USA also says In Nashville Wire’s quick-ship list, ratings run from about 1,750 lb to 3,650 lb per deck. MH-USA says Increase pallet storage capacity by 40–50% by reducing aisle widths from 12 feet down to as narrow as 5 feet; Interlake Mecalux says In warehouses using VNA trucks, pallet racking with a height of up to 40' can be easily automated.
Price ranges (Hammerhead, Reynolds, Conesco)
Hammerhead: New selective pallet racking from quality manufacturers runs $80 to $100 per position for non-seismic applications and $100 to $120 for seismic. Reynolds: Complete installed selective systems with accessories and labor commonly fall between $150 and $450 per position. Installation typically runs $20–$250 per pallet position (Conesco). MH-USA says Cost per position varies by rack type, height and capacity.
Sources (fetched 19 Oct 2026): DACO — selective racking; Interlake Mecalux — pallet racking; MH-USA — pallet rack; MH-USA — selective pallet rack; MH-USA — narrow aisle rack; MH-USA — wire decking; MH-USA — cost & pricing; MH-USA — cantilever vs pallet rack; Warehouse Solutions Inc — selective pallet racking; Hammerhead — pallet racking cost; Reynolds — pallet racking guide; Conesco — pallet racking cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is selective pallet racking?
Warehouse Solutions Inc says Selective pallet racking is a warehouse storage system that stores pallets one deep, providing 100% direct forklift access. DACO lists One pallet deep, 100% direct access. MH-USA says Selective pallet rack is the most common warehouse racking system and every pallet position is directly accessible by forklift from the aisle.
What bay and frame sizes are common for selective pallet racking?
DACO says The most common bay size is 96 inches wide by 44 inches deep. Interlake Mecalux says for a standard GMA pallet that’s 48" deep, the frame is typically 42" deep. MH-USA lists 42″ standard for 48″×40″ pallets; 48″ for oversized loads. MH-USA lists beam lengths 92", 96", 108", 120", 144".
How much does selective pallet racking cost?
Hammerhead says New selective pallet racking from quality manufacturers runs $80 to $100 per position for non-seismic applications and $100 to $120 for seismic. Reynolds says Complete installed selective systems with accessories and labor commonly fall between $150 and $450 per position. Conesco says Installation typically runs $20–$250 per pallet position.
What load capacities do selective beams and frames carry?
MH-USA says Beam capacities range from approximately 2,500 lbs per pair for light-duty systems up to 14,000+ lbs per pair for heavy-duty configurations. MH-USA says A standard 42″ × 144″ upright frame might carry 19,000–24,000 lbs total. Interlake Mecalux says Rack heights typically range from 4' to 40' and posts are slotted every 2".
How narrow can selective pallet racking aisles get with VNA?
MH-USA says Increase pallet storage capacity by 40–50% by reducing aisle widths from 12 feet down to as narrow as 5 feet. Interlake Mecalux says In warehouses using VNA trucks, pallet racking with a height of up to 40' can be easily automated. Warehouse Solutions Inc says works seamlessly in both standard and narrow aisle pallet racking layouts.