VNA Racking for
Nalco Exxon - Fawley Refinery

Probably the UK's tallest storage system for hydrocarbons was installed by Index for Nalco Exxon Energy Chemicals Ltd in a warehouse on the shores of Southampton Water.

Pallets of hydrocarbons weighing 1.43 tons each are stored on 10 levels in 15 metre high VNA racking. The system is fully sprinklered and includes provision for truck guidance at both floor and high level for the 'man up' VNA truck. Due to the nature of the site, the base plates of the racking were specifically designed to sit on the caps of the piles which support the building.

Pallet Racking Storage Systems

Convential Wide Aisle Racking

• Widely used for storing unit loads.
• Adjustable racking assures 100% selectivity of every pallet position.
• Store up to approximately 11 metres high using counter-balanced or reach trucks making full use of the building height possible.
• Aisle widths generally range from 2.5 - 3 metres.

Push Back Racking

• Pallets containing the same product can be stored up to 5 deep.
• Loaded pallets are pushed to the back on inclined carts or rails and as each one is withdrawn the one behind is presented on the rack face.
• High density storage using conventional trucks with rapid through put.

Powered Mobile Racking

• Up to 80% of the floor area can be used for racking, compared with 30% using conventional systems.
• Allows 100% access to storage locations.
• Increased storage density means a reduction in the building footprint required providing significant savings in building and operational costs.
• In existing buildings valuable floor space for can be released for other operations.

Narrow Aisle or VNA Pallet Racking

• Saves up to 25% of floor space compared with conventional systems.
• Can be operated by 'Flexi' articulated trucks or guided 'VNA' machines reducing aisle widths to a minimum.
• Trucks can be guided either by rails or an induction system built into the floor.
• Significantly faster operating speeds can be obtained compared with conventional trucks and the system can built to a greater height increasing capacity.