Industrial Shelving
Industrial shelving for manufacturing plants, maintenance storerooms, parts rooms, tool cribs and distribution centers: steel, rivet, wire and bin systems chosen for the room, the environment and the load. MH-USA plans, quotes and installs nationwide from Salt Lake City.
Since 1997 · 50 states shipped · sales@mh-usa.com
18–22 ga
Steel shelf gauges, heaviest to standard
350–2,000+ lb
Per-shelf capacity range across the families
1½″
Typical shelf adjustment increment
(800) 326-4403
Talk to a shelving specialist
Shop Industrial Shelving by Category
Online prices for rivet rack, bulk storage rack and 18- and 20-gauge steel shelving starter units. Some common sizes are in stock at select manufacturers, subject to confirmation. For a full run, other sizes or an installed system, request a quote and we size it to the heaviest shelf first.
What “industrial shelving” actually covers
Industrial shelving is hand-loaded storage built to carry heavier, denser loads than office or retail fixtures: steel posts, steel or engineered decks, and shelf capacities from a few hundred pounds up to several thousand pounds per level. It is not pallet rack — nothing on it is placed by a forklift — but it is the storage that sits beside pallet rack in almost every warehouse, plant and parts department.
The phrase covers six different constructions that are quoted, installed and priced very differently. A buyer who searches “industrial shelving” is usually still deciding among them: boltless rivet shelving for cartons and bulk items, steel clip shelving for small parts that must sit on a solid surface, wire shelving where air and light need to pass through, bulk rack for wide, heavy hand-stacked items, bin shelving for piece-picked components, and stainless where washdown or corrosion is the constraint.
This page is for plant, maintenance and warehouse teams fitting out working industrial space. It covers how to read a capacity rating, which decks suit oily, wet or cold rooms, what each plant area usually needs and how a tall run is anchored, then hands you to the detailed family page: steel shelving, boltless shelving, bulk rack, wide span shelving, bin shelving, or parts shelving for a parts room. For every shelving family side by side, start at shelving solutions.
- Six industrial shelving constructions from the manufacturers MH-USA represents — Lyon, Penco, Tennsco, Hallowell, Borroughs, Equipto, Jaken, Metro, Nexel and Quantum
- Shelf ratings taken from each manufacturer’s current literature and written on the quote for the exact size
- Seismic anchoring, aisle clearance and egress reviewed for Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona installs
- Freight, phased installation and removal of the old shelving quoted with the new run
Match the construction to the heaviest shelf
The hub page compares every shelving family. On a heavy-duty job the shortlist is shorter: start from the heaviest single shelf and the shape of what sits on it, and the construction follows. Ratings below are typical published per-shelf figures for uniformly distributed loads; every quote states the exact figure for the series, width and gauge selected.
| What sits on the heaviest shelf | Construction that usually wins | Typical per-shelf rating | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, dense parts and hardware that must sit flat | Steel clip shelving, 22 ga standard; 20 or 18 ga when the shelf is loaded heavy | 350–800 lb by gauge and width | Steel shelving |
| Heavy cartons, motors, castings, tool cases | Boltless rivet shelving with a double-rivet beam and steel or board decks | 1,200–2,500 lb per level, by beam and width | Heavy duty shelving |
| Long, wide or bulky items stacked by hand | Bulk storage rack with wire, board or steel decks | 1,000–3,000+ lb per level | Bulk rack shelving |
| Piece-picked components counted by location | Steel shelving supplied with bins and dividers | As the steel host unit (typically 400 lb) | Bin shelving |
| Anything a forklift will ever place | Not shelving — quote pallet rack | Beam-pair ratings | Shelving vs pallet rack |
Wire and stainless units are built for airflow and washdown rooms rather than weight; they are covered on wire shelving and stainless steel shelving. When the job is a parts department, go straight to parts shelving.
Load capacity: how to read the number on the spec sheet
Every industrial shelving series publishes a per-shelf capacity for a uniformly distributed load — the weight spread evenly across the whole shelf area. Concentrating the same weight at the center of a 48″ boltless beam or a 36″ steel shelf reduces what it can carry, and nobody publishes a point-load rating for shelving the way they do for pallet rack beams.
Three numbers matter on a quote:
- Shelf capacity — the published uniformly distributed rating for that series, width and depth.
- Unit capacity — the total the posts or uprights will carry; shelf capacity × shelf count is usually higher than this, and the lower figure governs.
- Floor loading — a fully loaded 84″ run of bulk rack can exceed what a mezzanine or slab-on-grade with a thin topping was designed for; check before you stack.
Heavier loads do not always mean heavier gauge. Heavy-duty rivet and boltless shelving reaches 1,200 to 2,500 lb per level with channel beams, while 22-gauge steel clip shelving tops out around 400 lb but wins on rigidity for small parts. Match the construction to the load pattern, not the headline number.
Decking and shelf surfaces: the choice that decides what the shelf can hold
On boltless rivet and bulk rack the beams carry the load, and the deck only has to bridge between them — so the deck material is a separate decision:
- Particleboard — lowest cost, solid surface, fine for cartons and dry rooms; swells if wet and should not carry concentrated point loads.
- Steel decks — solid, wipeable, rated for heavier and smaller items; specify where parts are loose or the room is washed.
- Wire mesh decks — galvanized welded wire lets sprinkler water and light through and is usually required by the fire marshal on tall runs; small items need a bin or tray.
- Solid steel shelves (clip shelving) — the shelf is the structure. 22 gauge is standard, 20 and 18 gauge for higher ratings; reinforcing channels add capacity to a wide shelf.
Where a run mixes loads, mix decks: wire mesh on upper levels for sprinkler clearance, board or steel on picking levels. The detailed trade-offs are on boltless shelving decking options.
Standard vs. heavy duty industrial shelving
Most industrial shelving in a plant is standard duty: 22 gauge steel shelves for bins and boxed spares, or single-rivet boltless for cartons. Step up only where the stock demands it, such as motors, castings, dies or pails on the lower levels of a maintenance storeroom.
When a level has to carry more than about 1,000 lb, or single items weigh a few hundred pounds, see our heavy duty shelving page for published ratings by type, from 800 lb wire shelves to 2,500 lb boltless levels. Four components decide which class a unit falls in:
Anchoring, seismic and safe loading on tall runs
A heavy-duty run is only as safe as how it is fixed and loaded. Floor anchors and top ties are part of every MH-USA quote in Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California, and we recommend them anywhere a unit is tall, back-to-back or loaded from a step or ladder.
Load the heaviest stock on the lowest levels, keep the top shelf at a height people can reach without climbing — 72″ is a common target — and post the published shelf capacity on the run so the team knows the limit. Check the slab too: a fully loaded 84″ run of bulk rack can exceed what a mezzanine deck or a thin topping slab was designed for.
- Anchors and top ties on every post in seismic regions; row spacers on back-to-back runs.
- Heaviest loads low, lighter and slower-moving stock on the upper levels.
- Wire mesh decks on upper levels where sprinkler clearance or the fire marshal requires water to pass through.
- Capacity documented: every run we install leaves with the published shelf capacity and the anchoring detail written down for your safety team.
- Working plants stay running: we stage the new run beside the old one, swap a few bays per shift and move stock once, so the line or crib never loses access to spares.
We do not certify that a shelving installation “meets code.” Seismic anchoring, aisle widths, egress and sprinkler clearance are set by your local authority having jurisdiction; we build to published manufacturer data and document what was installed for your review.
Codes and standards that apply
| Rule or standard | What it covers | What it means for your shelving |
|---|---|---|
| OSHA 29 CFR 1910.176(b) | Secure storage of material | Stored items must be stable and secure against sliding or collapse |
| OSHA 29 CFR 1910.22(b) | Walking-working surface loads | Floors and mezzanines must support the maximum intended load, including loaded shelving |
| ANSI MH28.1 (MHI Shelving Manufacturers Association) | Design, testing and use of industrial steel bin shelving | The industry standard behind published shelving ratings, including multi-level and mobile shelving |
| NFPA 13 | Sprinkler installation | Shelving directly under sprinklers stays at least 18 in. below the deflectors |
| Local building code | Seismic anchoring and permits | Your building official sets anchoring and permit rules, especially in seismic areas |
| ANSI MH16.1 (RMI) | Steel pallet racks | Applies to pallet rack, not shelving; relevant once forklifts load the system |
Industrial shelving by environment: oil, water, cold and dust
The room often decides the shelving before the load does. Particleboard swells in a wash bay, chrome wire spots in a damp cooler, and open wire decks drop small parts in a machine shop. Start with the environment, then pick the construction and finish that will still look and work right in five years.
Epoxy-coated wire, like Metro’s green Metroseal finish, is a common choice for coolers and damp rooms because it resists corrosion and lets air move. See wire shelving and stainless steel shelving for finish details.
Photo: Metro
| Environment | What we usually specify | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Oily or greasy (machine shops, fleet bays) | Steel shelves or steel decks, closed backs on low levels | Wipes clean; oil does not soak in like board decks |
| Wet or washdown (food plants, wash bays) | Stainless or epoxy-coated wire, open decks | Water drains through; no swelling or rust staining |
| Cold and freezer rooms | Epoxy or stainless wire shelving | Airflow around stock; finish rated for condensation |
| Dusty or abrasive (foundries, woodshops) | Closed steel shelving with doors or bins | Keeps dust off spares and small parts |
| Heat and outdoor yards | Galvanized steel shelving | Holds up to weather; see galvanized shelving |
| Sprinklered high bays | Wire mesh decks on upper levels | Lets sprinkler water reach lower levels |
What each part of a plant or warehouse usually needs
A single facility can need four kinds of shelving. The maintenance storeroom wants closed steel with bins for bearings and seals, the tool crib wants lockable bays, receiving wants wide rivet bays for cartons, and the line wants short, low units close to the work.
We plan each area on its own, then keep the runs consistent in post style, color and height so parts and decks are interchangeable across the building.
Photo: Lyon Workspace
| Area | Typical stock | Shelving that usually fits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line-side and cells | Kitted parts, fixtures, WIP | Low rivet or steel units, often on casters | Forklift and cart traffic; keep aisles clear |
| Maintenance (MRO) storeroom | Bearings, belts, motors, filters | Closed steel with bins, plus heavy rivet bays for motors | Heavy items low; label by asset or part number |
| Tool crib | Gauges, cutters, power tools | Closed steel inside a tool crib partition | Issue window and access control |
| Parts room | Thousands of small SKUs | Parts shelving with dividers and bins | Location labels and pick paths |
| Receiving and shipping | Cartons, returns, packaging | Wide rivet or wide span bays | Keep dock aisles and egress clear |
| Distribution pick areas | Each-picks and slow movers | Long boltless runs beside pallet rack | Sprinkler clearance on upper levels |
Sizing an industrial shelving run: a worked example
Unit count comes from the room, shelf depth from the product and capacity from the heaviest shelf — in that order.
On a heavy-duty job the heaviest shelf decides the series for the whole row, so we size the light and heavy stock separately: small parts on steel clip shelving, the heavy exceptions on one row of double-rivet boltless or bulk rack. The example below is a typical parts room worked through all six steps.
| Step | What we ask | Example: 30′ × 20′ parts room, 10′ clear ceiling |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inventory | SKU count, carton or part sizes, heaviest items | 2,400 SKUs, most under 12″ deep; brake rotors and batteries are the heavy exceptions |
| 2. Depth | Deepest common item plus 1″–2″ | 12″ steel clip shelving for small parts; one 24″ boltless row for rotors and batteries |
| 3. Height | Ceiling minus sprinkler clearance, minus top-shelf reach | 87″ posts; top shelf at 72″ so the last level is reachable without a ladder |
| 4. Layout | Aisle width for the picker or cart, egress, door swings | Three double-sided rows on 36″ aisles + one wall row = 42 bays of 36″ steel + 8 bays of 48″ boltless |
| 5. Capacity | Heaviest shelf sets the series | 22 ga steel at 400 lb/shelf for parts; heavy-duty rivet rack at 1,200 lb/level for the heavy row |
| 6. Anchoring | Slab type, seismic design category | Floor-anchored posts with top ties on all rows; row spacers on back-to-back runs |
Send us the room dimensions and a stock list and we return this table filled in for your facility, with the unit count, shelf count and a price by manufacturer. The SKU Upload Analyzer will do the first pass on your inventory file before we talk.
Where industrial shelving earns its keep
Eight applications we quote every month, with the construction that usually wins and why.
Parts Rooms & Parts DepartmentsSteel clip or bin shelving. Thousands of small SKUs picked by location; solid shelves, dividers and bins keep them separated. Parts shelving →
Manufacturing & Line-Side StorageBoltless with steel decks. Kitted components, fixtures and WIP staged where the line needs them; wide bays take totes two deep. Manufacturing storage →
Distribution & FulfillmentBoltless rivet shelving in long runs. Slow movers and each-picks beside the rack; wire decks upstairs for sprinklers. Distribution center shelving →
Tool Cribs & MRO StorageClosed steel shelving inside a wire partition. Accountable tooling, spares and consumables issued through a window. Tool cribs →
Government & Military SupplyBoltless or steel clip, GSA-priced. Accountable-property storage with numbered aisles and lockable bays. Government storage →
Fleet & Maintenance GaragesBoltless with board or steel decks. Fluids, filters, PPE and shop supplies within reach of the bays. Fleet garage storage →
Automotive Dealers & Repair ShopsSteel clip shelving with drawers and bins, plus bulk rack for tires. Fast-moving parts up front, bulk and tires at the back. Automotive shelving →
Records & Archive StorageBoltless sized to the box. Letter/legal cartons two deep on 42″ or 48″ bays; convert to mobile when the room fills. Records storage →Compare industrial shelving manufacturers
We quote every line below; the table shows where each one is usually the right answer. Follow the links for series detail and literature.
| Manufacturer | Constructions | Typically specified for | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyon | 8000 Series steel clip, 2000 Series closed steel, rivet rack, bulk rack | Parts rooms and tool cribs; heavy-duty rivet rack starters and add-ons stocked online | Lyon shelving |
| Penco | Clipper steel shelving, Rivet Rite boltless | Records, evidence, military and government supply; closed and secured bays | Penco shelving |
| Tennsco | Q Line, Imperial, Z Line steel; bulk storage rack | Stockrooms, parts departments and bulk hand-loaded storage | Tennsco shelving |
| Borroughs | Rivet-Span boltless, Box Edge Plus steel, Flexi-Bins | Automotive dealers and distributors; matched drawer cabinets | Borroughs shelving |
| Hallowell | Hi-Tech steel shelving, Rivetwell boltless, bulk rack | General warehouse and plant storage; broad stocked range | Hallowell |
| Equipto | V-Grip steel shelving, bulk rack, wire rack | Industrial parts and MRO storage with drawer and bin inserts | Equipto V-Grip |
| Jaken / RiveTier | Boltless rivet shelving, Fastrak bulk rack | Warehouses and archives; configurable in our shelving configurator | RiveTier shelving |
| Quantum | Ironman 22 ga steel, bin shelving packages, wire kits | Ready-to-ship units and shelving-with-bins packages priced online | Build & price shelving |
Lead times: MH-USA orders from each manufacturer rather than holding inventory, so every quote states the manufacturer’s current lead time and how freight reaches your dock or our installation crew. Stocked online units ship in days; a full run of closed steel shelving with drawers and doors is typically a few weeks.
Buying for a public plant, utility, school district or base? Most of these lines can be bought on a contract instead of open bids: GSA shelving contracts and state shelving contracts explain how.
More Industrial Shelving Types
Additional shelving styles for warehouses, washdown areas and parts rooms.
Get a free quote
Tell us what you are storing, the room size and your timeline. A project specialist will follow up with layout options and pricing. Prefer to talk? Call (800) 326-4403.
Industrial shelving FAQ
What is the difference between industrial shelving and commercial shelving?
Which industrial shelving type is strongest?
What gauge steel is heavy-duty industrial shelving?
How can I add capacity to industrial shelving I already own?
Is industrial shelving the same as pallet rack?
How much weight can an industrial shelf hold?
Does industrial shelving need to be anchored?
Can I add shelves or accessories to industrial shelving later?
What decking should I use on boltless shelving?
Do you sell used industrial shelving?
How long does industrial shelving take to deliver and install?
Do you install industrial shelving outside Utah?
Industrial shelving resources
Family pages, application guides and manufacturer detail — everything on this page routes to one of these.
Shelving Families
Applications & Guides
Manufacturers & Purchasing
Send us your plant layout and stock list for an industrial shelving plan
Send the room dimensions and a stock list. We come back with the shelving type, unit count, shelf capacities, accessories and a price by manufacturer, with freight and installation included.