Pallet Rack, Rack Backing, and Safety Netting for GE Healthcare in Salt Lake City, UT
How Material Handling USA installed 18-foot selective pallet rack, wire mesh rack backing, and safety netting at GE Healthcare’s distribution facility in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Talk with a specialist. Call (800) 326-4403 or Email Sales@MH-USA.com
About GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare is a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator dedicated to improving outcomes for patientsand healthcare providers worldwide. As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: GEHC), GE Healthcare manufacturesand distributes advanced medical imaging equipment, ultrasound systems, patient monit or ing devices, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and healthcare IT platforms. Their Salt Lake City facility at 640 N Wright Brothers Drive supports regional distribution of critical healthcare technology and medical supplies, requiring organized and code-compliant warehouse storage systems to keep sensitive equipment safe and accessible.
The Situation
GE Healthcare’s Salt Lake City distribution facility needed a comprehensive warehouse storage solution to support their growing regional operations. The facility at 640 N Wright Brothers Drive handles medical imaging equipment, patient monit or ing systems, diagnostic tools, and healthcare IT components — all high-value products that require organized, accessible, and safe storage.
The project required three integrated systems: high-capacity selectivepallet rackfor primary storage, wire mesh rack backingpanels to prevent product from falling through the back of rack bays, and safety netting between aisles to protect workersand inventory in adjacent areas. The facility’s high ceilings allowed for tall rack installations to maximize vertical storage space, but the height also increased the need for proper fall protection on the rack system.
GE Healthcare needed a partner who could design, deliver, and install all three systems as a co or dinated project — ensuring everything met safety standardsand facility requirements while keeping the distribution operation running during installation.
Pallet Rack Installation
The primary installation features 74 upright frames standing 18 feet tall with reinforced diagonal bracing, connected by 228 heavy-duty beams rated at 5,460 pounds per pair. The system includes both 48-inch deep and 36-inch deep configurations to accommodate different pallet sizesand product types. Over 340 wire mesh decking panels provide solid shelf surfaces on every beam level while maintaining fire sprinkler compliance throughout the facility.
The Solution
Material Handling USA designed and installed a multi-phase warehouse storage system tail or ed to GE Healthcare’s distribution requirements. The core system uses green powder-coated teardrop selectivepallet rackwith orange step beams, installed in long continuous rows running the length of the warehouse. Every upright frame is anch or ed to the concrete floor with engineered baseplatesand concrete anch or s, and row spacers connect back-to-back frame rows for added lateral stability.
Wire mesh rack backingpanels were installed on the back side of rack rows where product could potentially fall into pedestrian walkways or adjacent work areas. The backing panels bolt directly to the upright framesand beams, creating a physical barrier from floor to the top beam level without restricting airflow or fire sprinkler coverage.
The third component — safety netting — was installed in aisle locations where full wire mesh backing was not required but fall protection was still needed. Workers on scissor lifts attached the netting panels totherack structure, covering the open sides of tall rack bays to catch any product that might shift or fall during forklift loading and unloading operations.
Rack Backing, Netting & Anch or ing
Safety netting was installed by workers on scissor lifts, attaching mesh netting panels totherack structure between aisles to catch any falling product. Each upright frame is secured with an engineered base plate and concrete anchor bolts for maximum stability at 18-foot height. The completed system reaches nearly to the warehouse ceiling, maximizing every cubic foot of vertical storage space.
Full-Height Installation
The full-height installation showcases the scale of this project — 18-foot tall uprights supporting five or more beam levels of wire-decked storage across the entire warehouse floor. Cross-bracing between every upright pair provides the lateral rigidity required for a tall, heavily loaded rack system in a seismic zone. The green and orange color scheme provides clear visual identification of structural components during daily warehouse operations.
Features
18-Foot Selective Pallet Rack
Tall teardrop-style selective rack with reinforced diagonal bracing maximizes vertical storage in GE Healthcare’s high-ceiling facility, with beams rated at 5,460 lb per pair for heavy healthcare equipment and supplies.
Wire Mesh Rack Backing
Rack backing panels bolt to the back of upright framesand beams, preventing palletized product from falling through into adjacent aisles or work areas while maintaining airflow and sprinkler compliance.
Pallet Rack Safety Netting
Mesh netting installed between rack aisles catches falling itemsand protects workers in adjacent zones — a cost-effective safety solution for areas that don’t require full wire mesh backing panels.
Wire Mesh Decking
Over 340 wire deck panels across both 48”x46” and 36”x46” sizes create solid shelf surfaces on every level, supporting pallets while meeting fire code requirements for open-deck warehouse rack.
Our Process
Facility Assessment
Surveyed the warehouse layout, ceiling heights, floor slab condition, and storage requirements to design a rack system that maximizes space while meeting safety codes.
System Design
Engineered a three-part solution combining selective pallet rack, wire mesh backing, and safety netting — sized and configured for GE Healthcare’s specific pallet typesand product weights.
Delivery & Staging
Co or dinated freight delivery of 74+ upright frames, 228 beams, 340+ wire decks, backing panels, and netting — staged on the warehouse floor for efficient sequential installation.
Install & Safety
Professional crew assembled the rack system, installed backing and netting, and anch or ed every upright to the concrete floor — all while GE Healthcare maintained ongoing operations.
Results
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pallet rack backing?
Pallet rack backing is wire mesh panels that attach to the back of pallet rack frames to prevent products from falling off the back side into adjacent aisles or work areas. It creates a physical barrier that improves warehouse safety without blocking visibility or airflow.
What is pallet rack safety netting?
Pallet rack safety netting is a mesh net system installed on the ends or backs of pallet rack to catch falling itemsand protect workers in adjacent aisles. It is a cost-effective alternative to solid rack backing for areas where full mesh panels are not required.
Why do warehouses need rack backing and netting?
OSHA and facility safety standards require that items stored on pallet rack cannot fall onto workers in adjacent aisles. Rack backing and netting prevent product from sliding through or off the back of rack bays, protecting employeesand reducing inventory damage.
How tall can selective pallet rack be installed?
Selective pallet rack can be installed up to 40 feet or more depending on the upright frame capacity, seismic zone, floor slab thickness, and local building codes. Most warehouse installations range from 12 to 24 feet, with engineering calculations required for taller systems.
What is wire decking for pallet rack?
Wire decking is a mesh panel that sits on pallet rack beams to create a solid shelf surface. It supports pallets, provides fire sprinkler compliance by allowing water to flow through, and lets warehouse staff visually inspect inventory from below.
Does Material Handling USA install pallet rack in Salt Lake City?
Yes. Material Handling USA provides pallet rack installation, rack backing, safety netting, and complete warehouse storage solutions for facilities throughout Salt Lake City, Utah, and nationwide.
Need Pallet Rack, Rack Backing, or Safety Netting?
Material Handling USA designs, delivers, and installs complete warehouse storage and safety systems for healthcare facilities, distribution centers, and industrial operations across Utah and nationwide.
Related Case Studies
- Ragnar Events — Salt Lake City, UT
- Tellworks Communications — Salt Lake City, UT
- Marathon Petroleum — Loving, NM
← Browse All Pallet Rack Solutions|Get a Free Quote
Shop at Material Handling-USA.com
Need rack components or warehouse supplies? Shop online for fast delivery:
Shop pallet rack & accessories →
Related Products & Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Contactour team for a free design consultation and quote.