Archival metal rack: description and photo

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 20:55

The activity of any enterprise is accompanied by a large amount of paper documentation. Its systematization and storage requires the allocation of special areas - archives. As a rule, the dimensions of the premises used for this purpose are very limited, therefore, a special storage system - shelving - is used to accommodate a large number of documents.

What is a rack

According to the generally accepted definition, a shelving unit is specialized equipment that is used to store items. This is a multi-tiered system consisting of support posts and shelves. The peculiarity of metal archival shelving is that they are made of metal alloys with a special protective coating.

According to the type of fastening, it is customary to distinguish racks:

• welded - all parts of the structure are connected by a weld (today this option is almost never used due to low mobility and large dimensions);
• teams - this onethe view consists of individual elements that are easy to assemble, disassemble and modify.

What does an archival metal rack consist of

Several types of elements are made to assemble archival shelving.

1. Racks. These parts are metal perforated profiles of various sizes. A small pitch of holes on the racks allows you to mount the shelves at an arbitrary distance from each other.

2. Shelves. They are available in different lengths and widths, so you can assemble the rack with the most convenient parameters. For added strength and durability, the shelves are equipped with stiffeners.
3. Rear wall. This part is made in the form of a metal sheet and is necessary for installation on the rear wide side of the structure. The back wall is an optional element. Used to prevent items loaded on shelves from falling.
4. Side wall. Like the back, it is a metal sheet that is attached to the sides of the rack.
5. Adjustable feet. This element is installed in a thrust bearing, thanks to which it is possible to compensate for uneven floors.
6. Restrictive bar. It is mounted parallel to the shelves instead of the back and side walls. Its task is to prevent folders from falling off the shelves.
7. Separator. This element is considered optional. It is mounted on a shelf, which helps to separate folders by period and keep them upright.

Main advantages of prefabricated shelving system

Today, metal archival storage racks are considered the most convenient and popular solution for storing papers. Numerous benefits confirm this.

1. Versatility. For assembly, you can purchase elements of the type and size that are needed to create the most suitable shelving. If necessary, you can buy additional components at any time and supplement the archive. One of the most popular is an archival metal rack 2000x1000x500 mm for 5 shelves.
2. Assembly speed. Racks, shelves and other parts are fastened with bolts. No special tools or parts required.
3. Light weight. All elements are made of light metal alloys, which allows installation even alone.
4. Convenience. A large number of additional elements make archival metal prefabricated racks as convenient and functional as possible.
5. Long service life. All elements of the shelving system are covered with a polymer layer that protects the metal from corrosion.

Scope of application

Due to its convenience and versatility, archival metal shelving can be successfully used by any enterprise that needs a simple and durable archival storage system.

Where there are large volumes of documentation, you can and should choose metal equipment:

• in factories andfactories;
• in trade;
• in companies providing services to the public.

Types of equipment for archives

Shelves used in archives can be of several types.

1. Stationary. This multi-tier storage system is installed in a specific place (along the walls or in several rows in the center of the room). This type of shelving is quickly mounted, easy to use, affordable. The only drawback is the fact that this system requires quite a lot of space to install (there must be aisles between the racks).

   

2. Mobile. The peculiarity of these models is that each archival metal rack is equipped with special rollers that move along guides (a kind of rails). The advantage of this method is a noticeable space saving (up to 70% of the area). This is explained by the fact that mobile racks do not need aisles - just leave 1 and move the racks to access the desired row. Among the disadvantages: long installation of rails and high cost. This option is optimal for a large amount of documentation.

   

3. Angular. It is worth choosing this storage system in cases where the enterprise has a small amount of documentation and there is no special room for the archive. Spacious corner shelving fills underused spaces.

How to choose an archive rack

When choosing a system, you should start from the amount of documentation and features of the room. Equally important is the budget allocated for equipment. Now manufacturers offer a huge selection of models of shelving systems. In general, they all have similar characteristics.

The cheapest option is a regular fixed system. Racks in this case can be modified at your discretion. They can be low, human height, or they can reach the very ceiling (for example, a metal archival rack with 6 shelves).

When choosing a mobile system, it is worth remembering the high cost. It includes the price of all elements of the system and installation work. If the floor is defective, it will need to be leveled.

Having studied the main characteristics and features of archival metal shelving, we can conclude that today such a system is one of the most convenient and affordable specialized equipment on the market.