Shelving is more than just a storage area; it can also aid your cooling and cleaning efforts alongside keeping particle counts down depending on the unit you choose. Teknomek offers solid, wire, louvred and slatted shelving in a range of materials, which are perfect for use in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. While solid shelving is the most common choice, wire and slatted shelves increase air circulation and reduce the risk of contamination from a build-up of particles. We look in detail at what you need to consider to find the right shelving solution for your needs.
Optimise your room layout
Our modular shelving units can be built and adapted to suit your unique room layout. These modular units have support points every 150mm to offer versatility when choosing your shelving positions. Ranging from 400-600mm deep, 600-2975mm wide and 1800-1907mm high, our shelving range maximises on space to create larger storage areas. You can even build a corner unit using hooks for each shelf without needing any additional uprights. Adjustable stainless steel shelving is also available with the option to tailor the number of shelves and the shelving heights up to a recommended maximum of 10 shelves per unit.
The right material
Teknomek provides shelving in a range of hygienic materials including aluminium, stainless steel and polymer. When deciding which is best for your hygienic solution, it’s important to consider each material’s unique properties. We break down their qualities and which uses they are best suited for below:
Aluminium shelves
A lightweight metal that still provides good structural strength for moderate loads, these shelves are easier to handle, install and move than stainless steel alternatives. Our aluminium shelving units are available using an aluminium frame with the choice of polymer or aluminium shelves. The naturally protective oxide layer of the aluminium shelving and frames helps resist corrosion however, this can react to certain cleaning agents and disinfectants which can cause pitting. This reaction may limit its use in a pharmaceutical environment. You should also note that aluminium can shed microscopic particles over time which could contaminate cleanroom environments.
Best used: A lightweight option for environments where the shelving units may need to be moved frequently and where the most stringent hygiene processes do not apply.
Stainless steel shelves
Easy to clean and disinfect, stainless steel shelves are extremely durable and long lasting with the ability to maintain integrity even in extreme temperatures. Suitable for heavy-duty applications, stainless steel can support heavier loads than aluminium and polymer without cracking or bending. Its heavier weight also provides more stability for delicate items.
Best used: stainless steel shelves are perfect for areas that need regular cleaning thanks to their high chemical resistance. A material that has minimal particle shedding, it reduces the risk of contamination and supports strict hygiene protocols making it the preferred choice for cleanroom environments.
Polymer shelves
Lighter than stainless steel but still resistant to corrosion, our aluminium shelving frames are also available with polymer shelves. These can be a good alternative to metal if you need a lightweight option that is easier to move around but also able to withstand the use of certain chemicals and cleaning agents.
Best used: environments that need a lightweight alternative to stainless steel while also withstanding the use of certain chemicals and cleaning agents.
Types of surfaces
Teknomek customers have the choice of four different types of shelving surface: wire, louvred, solid or slatted shelving. While this could seem superficial, the different types of shelves can aid towards your cleaning or cooling efforts and help keep you in accordance with current hygiene regulations and guidelines. For example, the British Retail Consortium of Global Standards (BRCGS) states that food safe shelving must be designed and maintained to ensure ease of cleaning and prevent contamination while the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requires cleanroom shelving to be made of materials that do not react with stored products or cleaning agents. We break down the advantages and disadvantages of each type of shelving surface below:
Wire shelving
This type of shelving ensures maximum airflow around stored items to help keep temperatures consistent and reduce the potential for moisture build-up making it perfect for cold storage. This increased ventilation is crucial in preventing mould and mildew growth. Worried about spills and moisture pooling? The perforations in wire shelves prevent liquid accumulation and the build-up of particles as well as making the cleaning process more efficient.
Advantages:
- Boosts airflow to help maintain temperatures
- Increased ventilation prevents mould growth
- Prevents moisture pooling
- Reduces particle build-up
Disadvantages:
- Lower weight capacity than solid shelves
Solid shelving
Durable and strong, these heavy-duty performers provide a continuous surface which is easier to clean and disinfect. With no gaps or openings, solid shelving prevents the risk of cross contamination by smaller items and liquids falling through to lower shelves. Providing a solid, stable surface with a secure base, it offers more reassurance when storing delicate or unstable items as well as being suitable for bulkier, heavier items.
Advantages:
- Durable & strong
- Easier to clean and disinfect
- Prevents risk of cross-contamination by smaller objects falling through
Disadvantages:
- Particles can gather on the solid shelves
Louvred or slatted shelving
A great middle-ground between solid and wire shelving, slatted and louvred shelves provide a stable surface while still aiding air circulation and ventilation around the products stored. Particularly beneficial in damp, cold or humid environments, this boosted airflow reduces moisture build up and helps keep products dry without compromising on strength or durability.
Advantages:
- Increased stability over wire shelves
- Increased air circulation and ventilation for temperature control
- Reduces moisture build up thanks to increased drainage capabilities
- Easier to clean than wire shelves as they have a smoother surface
Disadvantages:
- They can’t bear the same heavy load as solid shelving
So, what shelving is best for my work environment?
Choosing the best shelving unit depends on your specific needs. We break down our recommendations below:
For food and cold storage areas: any of the four options would work but we would recommend opting for wire, slatted or louvred shelving surfaces to aid cooling efforts and ventilation. Stainless steel is also recommended thanks to its durability, high corrosion resistance and cleanability.
For heavy-duty storage: The best option for this purpose is stainless steel. Able to withstand a higher payload, its durability cannot be beaten. This can be further aided by the use of solid shelving, although slatted could also be used if ventilation is an issue.
For aiding cleaning efforts: Due to aluminium’s reactivity to certain chemicals, it is usually best to opt for stainless steel unless you are sure that the chemicals used in the cleaning and disinfection process will not react to the aluminium or polymer materials. The increased chemical and corrosion resistance means that stainless steel can withstand rigorous and regular cleaning protocols.
For humid or moist environments: Polymer is a versatile material that can withstand humid environments without compromising on durability however, for constantly wet environments, stainless steel may be more suitable thanks to its high structural integrity.
Want to go mobile?
We can create bespoke and customised options to suit your needs. We can add castors to any of our shelving units to make handling and transportation easier in your day to day. Don’t forget that we also have a range of trolleys available for smaller shelving loads!
Still not sure? No problem!
Download our handy buying guide here to help you select the best shelving options for your needs.
Our Teknomexperts are also on-hand to help with any product queries.
Call them today on +44(0)1603 788 833 or email mail@teknomek.co.uk.
