For junior high schools with active woodworking programs, theater departments, or ongoing maintenance needs, storing lumber presents a unique challenge. Piles of long boards and sheets of plywood on the floor are not just disorganized—they are a significant safety hazard in an environment with students. Cantilever racking is the professional-grade storage solution that addresses these challenges head-on, creating a safe, organized, and efficient space for all school-related projects.
In many schools, limited space and budgets lead to improvised lumber storage. This often results in:
Trip Hazards: Lumber stacked against walls or on the floor creates dangerous obstacles in busy workshops and maintenance areas.
Material Damage: Improperly stored wood can warp, crack, or be damaged by moisture and impacts, leading to wasted materials and budget.
Inefficiency: Teachers, students, and maintenance staff waste valuable time searching for the right size and type of wood in a messy pile.
Poor Space Utilization: Floor stacks consume a large footprint that could be used for workstations or equipment.
Need help choosing the right cantilever pallet rack for your school’s lumber storage? Call us at 800-326-4403 for personalized guidance from our specialists. Don’t leave your storage needs to chance—speak with an expert today!
A cantilever rack is an industrial shelving system designed specifically for storing long, bulky, and heavy items. Unlike standard pallet racks that have vertical beams in the front, cantilever racks have an open-faced design.
Base: A heavy steel base anchors the unit to the floor and provides stability.
Upright Tower: A vertical column that supports the load-bearing arms.
Arms: Horizontal arms that extend from the tower to hold the lumber. These are adjustable to accommodate different load sizes.
Bracing: Cross-bracing connects the upright towers, ensuring the system is rigid and stable.
The key benefit is the open front, which allows for direct, unobstructed access to full lengths of lumber. This makes it easy to store and retrieve boards without having to move other materials out of the way.
When students are present, safety is the number one priority. Cantilever racks directly improve the safety of any school workshop or storage area.
Eliminating Trip Hazards
The most immediate safety improvement is getting lumber off the floor. By storing wood horizontally on strong steel arms, you eliminate the primary source of trip-and-fall accidents in a woodshop.
Stable and Secure Storage
A properly loaded cantilever rack is an engineered system designed for stability. This prevents the dangerous possibility of a poorly stacked lumber pile collapsing, which could cause serious injury.
Clear Sightlines and Organization
An organized storage area is a safer one. Cantilever racks allow you to categorize lumber by type, size, and length, creating clear sightlines and a less chaotic environment where students and staff can move safely.
Proper Load Management
Each component of a cantilever rack has a specific load capacity. This ensures that the system is not overloaded and remains structurally sound. Adhering to these capacities is a fundamental part of all 7 Essential Pallet Rack Safety Guidelines for Warehouses.
Transform your school’s storage system with our professional advice. Schedule a free Zoom consultation to discuss how cantilever pallet racks can meet your unique needs. Click here to book your appointment now!
While the woodshop is the most obvious place, several departments within a school can benefit from organized lumber storage.
The Woodshop / Industrial Arts Classroom: This is the primary application. Cantilever racks allow teachers to organize materials for student projects, keeping expensive hardwoods separate from common pine boards and plywood sheets.
The Theater Department: Drama clubs and theater classes often build complex sets. Cantilever racks provide an efficient way to store the long boards and large panels needed for set construction.
The Facilities and Maintenance Department: School maintenance teams constantly handle repairs and small renovation projects. A dedicated cantilever rack keeps their lumber supply organized and ready for any task, from fixing a door frame to building a new shelf.
Roy Junior High School in Weber County, Utah, needed a better way to manage lumber for its programs. The previous storage method was a disorganized pile that was inefficient and a potential safety concern.
The Problem: The school’s lumber was difficult to access, leading to wasted time and damaged materials. The cluttered area was a hazard in a space used by both staff and students.
The Solution: We designed and installed a medium-duty, single-sided cantilever rack system against a wall in their storage area. The system was specified with arm lengths and capacities perfectly matched to their typical lumber inventory.
The Outcome: The new system transformed the storage area into a space that looks like a professional showroom. Lumber is now neatly organized, fully accessible, and safely stored off the floor. Teachers can quickly find materials, and the overall safety of the workshop has been significantly enhanced. This project is a prime example of effective cantilever rack for a Utah high school.
Implementing a cantilever system requires some planning, but the process is straightforward.
Assess Your Space and Needs: Measure the area where the rack will be installed. Document the types, lengths, and typical weight of the lumber you need to store.
Choose the Right Duty Rating: Cantilever racks come in light, medium, and heavy-duty options. Most school applications are well-served by light or medium-duty systems, which provide ample capacity at a lower cost.
Select Single-Sided or Double-Sided: A single-sided rack is placed against a wall. A double-sided rack has arms on both sides and is placed in the middle of a room, accessible from either aisle.
Work with School Budgets: We understand the unique purchasing processes of educational institutions and can provide detailed quotes and specifications to help you work within your budget and navigate procurement.
Our Comprehensive Guide to Selecting Pallet Rack for Your Warehouse can offer further insights into the planning process.
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Experience the streamlined process of Material Handling USA’s Warehouse Solutions, guiding you from consultation to implementation with personalized solutions and ongoing support.
Get Expert Advice for Your School’s Storage Needs. Phone us at 800-326-4403 or schedule a Zoom consultation to discuss how cantilever pallet racks can transform your school’s storage system.
A cantilever pallet rack is an industrial shelving system designed to store long and bulky items like lumber.
Schools should consider these racks for their ability to organize large items efficiently, ensuring safety and accessibility.
Yes, with professional help, cantilever racks can be installed efficiently to meet the school’s specific needs.
The space required depends on the amount of lumber and the size of the rack. It’s important to consult with a specialist to determine the exact needs.
NationWide Shelving offers high-quality, tear-drop design pallet racks compatible with major manufacturers such as Interlake, Space Rack, USP, Lodi Metal-Tech, Steel King, and Husky.
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Ready to upgrade your storage? Request a customized quote for a cantilever pallet rack system tailored to your school’s requirements. Call us at 800-326-4403 or fill out our online form to get started.
