When installing a storage rack, one question often comes up: “Can a rack be wall-mounted?”
This may seem like a logical practice to “reinforce” stability, but in reality it raises a number of safety, compliance and structural points that absolutely must be understood.
In this article, we take a look at what is allowed, what isn’t, and what alternatives exist for securing your racks correctly.
1. Can a rack be wall-mounted?
The general answer is: no, it is not recommended – nor compliant – to mount an industrial rack directly on the wall.
Why is this? Because racks are designed to be fixed to the floor, not the walls. Walls are not designed to withstand the dynamic forces generated by loads, vibrations or shocks associated with forklift truck manoeuvres.
2. Why is wall mounting not recommended?
There are several reasons why fixing a rack to the wall is considered dangerous:
1. The wall is not designed to withstand these forces
A rack in charge of :
- vertical pressure,
- horizontal forces,
- dynamic forces when depositing and removing pallets.
Walls, even load-bearing ones, are not designed to absorb these stresses.
2. Risk of distortion or tearing
Wall mounting can lead to :
- cracks,
- deterioration of the wall,
- pulling out of anchors,
- tilting the rack.
3. Loss of structural stability
A rack must remain structurally independent.
Attaching it to a wall can alter the way forces are distributed, which can compromise its nominal load capacity.
4. Non-compliance with safety practices
The majority of warehouse standards and recommendations:
➡️ wall fixings are neither planned nor authorised
➡️ only floor fixing is permitted
3. How do you secure a rack if space is limited?
If your rack is close to a wall, there are compliant solutions that do not require wall mounting.
1. Ground anchor (mandatory)
Each upright must be secured to the ground using suitable anchors:
- mechanical anchors,
- or chemical anchors,
depending on the type of slab.
2. Rear pallet stops
Stops can be fitted on the rack, not on the wall, to prevent pallets sticking out.
3. Spacers
If two racks are installed back to back, spacers ensure perfect stability without leaning on the wall.
4. Wall guards
To prevent impacts, the wall can be protected with :
- bumpers,
- reinforced skirting boards,
- metal guards.
These devices protect the structure without supporting the rack.
4. What is the minimum distance between a rack and a wall?
It is advisable to leave a clearance of :
➡️ 10 cm minimum,
➡️ ideally 20 cm.
This allows :
- visual inspection of pallets,
- to avoid accidental contact,
- ensure good ventilation,
- to make cleaning and maintenance easier.
5. Are there any exceptions?
In domestic systems or small light shelving units (non-industrial), shelves can sometimes be fixed to the wall.
But be careful:
- These fixes are provided by the manufacturer,
- the load is very low compared with an industrial rack,
- the structure is designed to,
- and the usage is totally different.
➡️ For an industrial rack, there are no exceptions: no wall mounting.
6. The risks if you still mount a rack on the wall
Performing this installation despite the recommendations may cause :
❌ Structural instability
❌ Damage to the wall
❌ Non-compliance with safety regulations
❌ Partial or total collapse of the rack
❌ Insurance invalidity in the event of an accident
This type of installation can be considered a dangerous structural modification.
Conclusion
Fixing an industrial rack to the wall is inadvisable and not compliant, as walls are not designed to withstand the forces exerted by heavy loads.
To secure a rack properly, you need to :
✔ ground fixing,
✔ the right anchors,
✔ spacers or stops if necessary,
✔ a minimum distance from the wall.
Installation in accordance with these principles guarantees a stable, durable and totally safe structure – without taking any unnecessary risks.