When installing a shelf or shelving unit, one question often comes up: should it be fixed to the floor or wall, or simply left to stand?
The answer depends on the type of structure, the load being stored and the place of installation.
Whether you are a private individual looking to secure a garage shelf, or a professional managing a warehouse equipped with Mecaluxpallet racks, it is essential to understand the safety rules and good fixing practice.
In this article, we take a look at the different scenarios, the regulatory obligations and the safety recommendations.
Why do we need to think about fixing?
A shelf or rack often supports heavy, bulky loads. If the structure is not properly stabilised, it can :
- topple over in the event of an impact,
- deform under load,
- or compromise the safety of people working nearby.
Fixing to the floor or wall is therefore designed to stabilise the structure and avoid any risk of it tipping over.
But not all shelving requires the same method: you can’t fix a small lightweight garage rack in the same way as you would an industrial rack weighing several tonnes.
1. Light or domestic shelving
In the case of domestic storage shelves (garage, workshop, storeroom, office, etc.), the fixing depends on the height and weight stored:
- For low, stable shelves, it’s not always necessary to fix them, especially if the floor is flat and the load is well distributed.
- For taller models (over 1.80 m) or those placed in high-traffic areas, it is strongly recommended that the shelf is fixed to the wall to prevent it from tipping over.
👉 Good to know: even a slight push can be enough to topple an empty or badly balanced shelf. A simple wall anchor (dowel + screw adapted to the support) can guarantee safety.
2. Industrial shelving: must be fixed to the floor
In the professional world, and for pallet racks in particular, fixing to the floor is not an option – it’s a regulatory requirement.
Industrial storage structures are subject to standard EN 15635, which specifies that :
“Metal shelving must be firmly fixed to the floor to ensure stability and prevent it from tipping over or moving accidentally.
🔧 Why fix an industrial rack to the floor?
- Stability: pallet racks can be several metres high and support several tonnes.
- Operator safety: in the event of impact with a forklift truck, the fixing prevents the structure from moving.
- Compliance with standards: an installation that is not fixed may be considered non-compliant during a safety audit.
- Disaster prevention: falling shelving can cause considerable material and human damage.
Mecalux racks, for example, are always installed with anchor plates fixed to the floor using special metal plugs. These fixings are sized according to the load and the type of floor.
3. Why not wall-mount industrial shelving?
Contrary to what you might think, industrial shelving should not be fixed to the wall, except in very special cases.
Here’s why:
- Warehouse walls are not designed to withstand the horizontal forces generated by racking loads.
- Thermal expansion, vibrations or building movements can create stresses on the structure.
- Wall mounting limits the natural deformation and flexibility of the structure, which can make it more fragile.
👉 Manufacturers like Mecalux always provide floor anchoring systems designed to absorb vertical and horizontal forces, without relying on load-bearing walls.
4. How do I fix a shelving unit to the floor?
Fixing must be carried out in accordance with an assembly plan supplied by the manufacturer, following a number of steps:
- Check that the floor is level – uneven ground will compromise stability.
- Position the anchor plates under each leg of the upright.
- Drill holes in the floor where the fixings will be.
- Install the appropriatemetal plugs (usually expansion plugs).
- Use a torque spanner to tighten to the specified torque.
Each upright must have at least two anchors. Mecalux’s experts also provide additional safety accessories: stoppers, anti-fall grids, corner guards, etc.
5. What about mezzanines or multi-level structures?
For storage platforms or mezzanines, fixing to the ground is imperative and must be calculated by a design office.
The floor must be sized to withstand operating loads and anchored according to the nature of the ground (reinforced concrete, industrial slab, etc.).
Mecalux, for example, designs its mezzanine floors with made-to-measure base plates, incorporating calculations of vertical and lateral forces for total safety.
6. When should you call in a professional?
If you have the slightest doubt about the solidity of your soil or the type of anchor to use, it’s best to call in an approved installer.
He or she will be able to :
- check the conformity of your floor,
- adapt the type of pin to the load,
- and guarantee the stability of the whole.
Teams from Mecalux and its partners support their customers at every stage: design, installation, checking and annual maintenance.
| Type of structure | Recommended mounting | Why is this? |
|---|---|---|
| Light shelf | On the wall (if high or unstable) | Home security |
| Medium rack (workshop, garage) | Often on the wall | Additional stability |
| Pallet rack | Floor only | Mandatory standard EN 15635 |
| Industrial mezzanine | On the ground, on reinforced plates | Structural safety |
| Wall shelving | Sometimes on the wall (small loads) | Lateral support |
Conclusion
Fixing a shelf, whether domestic or industrial, is never a detail.
A poorly anchored installation can become dangerous, especially in professional environments where loads are heavy.
👉 Golden rule:
- The small shelves can be fixed to the wall for added stability.
- Pallet racks and industrial shelving must always be fixed to the floor in accordance with standards.
At ECOCUBE, we support our customers in choosing, installing and securing their shelving.
By working with recognised brands such as Mecalux, we guarantee reliable, compliant and durable installations.