Rack Backs

RackBack® panels attach directly to existing pallet rack uprights, making them a practical safety upgrade for new and existing storage systems. With flush-mount, offset, stacked, and above-the-top configurations available, pallet rack backing can be tailored to the dimensions of your racks, the size of your loads, and the areas of your facility that require protection.

Why Add Wire Mesh Backing to Your Pallet Racks?

Pallet racks are designed to store heavy materials vertically, but products can shift, become damaged, or be placed incorrectly over time. A properly configured rack back system provides continuous protection behind the rack, helping contain stored items before they can fall into occupied areas.

• Reduce Falling-Object Hazards: Create a protective barrier between elevated inventory and the aisles, workspaces, or equipment located below.
• Protect Employees and Equipment: Help safeguard personnel, forklifts, machinery, and other valuable equipment operating around the rack system.
• Contain Stored Inventory: Prevent loose cartons, individual products, and unstable materials from slipping through the back of the rack.
• Maintain Product Visibility: The open wire mesh design allows employees to see stored inventory and identify potential issues without removing the barrier.
• Upgrade Existing Pallet Racks: Panels mount directly to existing uprights, allowing safety improvements without replacing the entire storage system.
• Customize the Coverage Area: Protect the full height of a rack or install panels only at the levels where additional containment is needed.

WireCrafters RackBack® Safety Panel Configurations

Shelf Master can configure RackBack® panels around the dimensions, operating clearances, and storage requirements of your pallet rack system.

Flush-Mount Rack Backing

Flush-mount panels are installed close to the back of the pallet rack uprights. This configuration creates a compact protective barrier and is well suited for loads that remain within the depth of the rack structure.

Flush mounting can be a practical choice where aisle clearance is limited or where pallets and products do not extend significantly beyond the rear rack beams.

Offset-Mount Rack Backing

Offset brackets position the wire mesh panels farther behind the rack uprights, providing additional clearance for pallets, cartons, or irregularly shaped materials that extend beyond the beams.

The offset distance can be selected according to the amount of pallet overhang and the depth of the stored products. This helps contain inventory without interfering with normal loading and storage operations.

Above-the-Top Protection

Products stored on the highest beam level may extend above the pallet rack uprights or the standard panel height. Above-the-top mounting allows the wire mesh backing to continue beyond the upper rack beam, providing additional containment for top-level inventory.

This configuration is especially valuable when tall, lightweight, unstable, or loosely packaged products are stored near the top of the rack.

Stacked Panel Systems

Individual RackBack® panels can be stacked vertically to provide protection across multiple storage levels or the full height of a pallet rack system.

Stacked panels allow the coverage height to be adjusted to the facility’s specific layout. They may begin at floor level or at a higher beam level when protection is only required in selected areas.

Standard and Custom-Sized Panels

Standard panel sizes are available for common pallet rack dimensions, while custom panels can be manufactured for systems with unusual beam lengths, heights, offsets, or structural conditions.

Customized sizing helps minimize gaps and creates more consistent protection across the rack system. Panels may also be installed on independent support posts when a stand-alone barrier is more appropriate than direct rack mounting.

Durable Wire Mesh Protection for Demanding Facilities

RackBack® safety panels are constructed with welded steel wire mesh secured within a rigid steel angle frame. This framed design provides greater rigidity than flexible barriers while maintaining an open appearance and clear visibility through the rack.

The panels are designed to provide ongoing protection without disrupting routine material-handling activity. Their modular construction also makes it possible to expand, relocate, or reconfigure the backing as storage needs change.

Common Rack Back Applications

Wire mesh pallet rack backing can improve protection in a wide variety of storage and material-handling environments.

• Warehouses and Distribution Centers: Contain cartons, cases, and palletized products stored near active picking and travel aisles.
• Manufacturing Facilities: Protect employees and production equipment positioned near elevated parts or material storage.
• Retail and E-Commerce Fulfillment Centers: Provide additional protection around high-volume inventory and order-picking areas.
• Automotive and Parts Storage: Contain individual components, cartons, and irregularly shaped products.
• High-Traffic Forklift Aisles: Help prevent shifting materials from falling into areas frequently used by lift trucks and other equipment.
• Work Areas Adjacent to Pallet Racks: Protect packing stations, assembly areas, offices, walkways, and other occupied spaces near elevated storage.

Rack Backs or Pallet Safety Netting?

Both rack backs and safety netting help reduce falling-object hazards, but each solution offers different advantages.

Rigid wire mesh rack backs provide a strong, permanent barrier that requires minimal interaction during normal operations. They are often preferred for back-of-rack protection where frequent access through the barrier is not required.

Flexible pallet safety netting may be better suited for irregular rack layouts, oversized products, pick modules, or applications that require the barrier to open or move. Shelf Master can evaluate the rack system and recommend the most appropriate form of containment for each area.

Partner with Shelf Master for a Complete Rack Safety Solution

For more than 50 years, Shelf Master has helped warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities design and install efficient material-handling systems. Our team can assess your existing rack layout, pallet overhang, inventory dimensions, traffic patterns, and surrounding work areas to determine the appropriate panel size and mounting configuration.

Shelf Master can support your project from initial product selection and layout planning through installation and project management. Whether you need to protect a single rack bay or add continuous backing throughout an entire facility, we can develop a solution around your operational and safety requirements.

Contact Shelf Master at (800) 847-4353 or request a quote online to begin planning your pallet rack backing system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rack Backs

What is a pallet rack back?

A pallet rack back is a protective barrier installed behind a pallet rack system. Wire mesh rack backs help contain stored products and prevent materials from falling into aisles, workspaces, or equipment areas behind the rack.

Can RackBack® panels be installed on existing pallet racks?

Yes. RackBack® panels are designed to attach directly to existing pallet rack uprights using mounting brackets. The existing rack should be evaluated to confirm its dimensions, condition, upright style, and required clearances before the panels are specified.

What is the difference between flush and offset mounting?

Flush-mounted panels sit close to the rack uprights and are generally used when inventory remains within the rack structure. Offset-mounted panels are positioned farther behind the rack to provide clearance for pallet overhang or products extending beyond the rear beams.

Can rack backing extend above the top rack beam?

Yes. Above-the-top configurations can extend the protective barrier beyond the upper rack level. This helps contain tall or unstable inventory stored on the highest beams.

Can wire mesh panels cover the full height of a rack?

Yes. Multiple panels can be stacked vertically to reach the desired coverage height. The system can begin at floor level or at a selected beam level, depending on where protection is required.

Are custom panel sizes available?

Yes. Custom panel dimensions can accommodate unusual beam lengths, rack heights, offsets, and storage layouts. Shelf Master can collect the necessary measurements and determine whether standard or custom panels are appropriate.

Do rack backs automatically make a facility OSHA compliant?

No individual product automatically guarantees complete OSHA compliance. Rack backs can help facilities address falling-object hazards, but compliance depends on the overall system design, installation, use, maintenance, and conditions within the facility.

What information is needed for a rack back quote?

Useful information includes the rack manufacturer or style, beam length, upright height, number of bays, desired coverage height, pallet overhang, stored product dimensions, and photographs or drawings of the existing system.