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Posted on April 1, 2019
How to Choose Your High Density Filing System?
Shelving systems are a sturdy and economical solution to storage needs in the garage at home and in the workplace. They are a simple and effective tool that provides "visible" storage for just about anything from small nuts and bolts, to heavy storage boxes, to fully loaded pallets weighing thousands of pounds. The variety of uses and applications for shelving systems leads to a huge number of styles and configurations that can sometimes be overwhelming when trying to decide on an appropriate shelving system for your needs.
Shelving provides one of the most efficient methods of maximizing storage space. Shelving systems vary, from simple, single shelves supported by fixed brackets to fully adjustable units.Shelving can be designed to blend in with the style, character, and shape of a room, or even to function as a decorative feature. Always make sure that the materials you use are strong enough to bear the load.
Consumers never think about the shelving that is placed in a store but as a store owner or manager it is a consistent part of your planning and your day. You are interested in creating the most consumer appealing storefront while utilizing each inch of workable space. Gondola shelving is very resourceful when it comes to trying to do just that. They are very functional and versatile, very easy to install shelving pieces that make adjusting and moving them around very effortless.
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Mobile shelving is an excellent way to increase filing inches while decreasing the amount of square footage taken up by the filing system. But how do you figure out which type works best for your needs? Below I have listed three commonly used types of movable shelving along with the advantages and disadvantages of each type. I have included Rotary Files, Lateral Movable Files, and High Density Mobile Filing.1) Rotary File (Also called Times Two)The Rotary File is a cabinet that contains two shelving units positioned back to back in a cabinet. The two shelving units spin to gain access to both sides of the shelves.Comparison unit: One cabinet measuring 36-1/2"W x 82"H x 25"D-Floor space required (square feet): 6.3' -Total filing inches provided: 434"Advantages:• Attractive way to increase efficient use of floor space • Unit can be closed and locked so files are not visible • Suitable for individual's office files • May be configured in many different sizes and configurations • Can be designed to hold alternate media • Units can be used for room dividers • Lower height units can include a work top • Suitable for color coding • Additional units can be connected together or positioned back to backDisadvantages:• Not as efficient use of floor space as lateral and high density mobile units • Cost per filing inch higher than lateral movable shelving • Actual shelving units need to be sized to allow the shelves to spin (lose filing inches) • Need to be careful of oversized items jamming the unit • Requires professional installation2) Lateral Sliding Movable ShelvingA lateral sliding shelving system uses stationary single sided shelving units positioned along a wall with units in front that slide back and forth to allow access to the records contained in the back unit.The comparison system used contains 2 back stationary units and 1 front movable unit (I used L&T (4 post) shelving on the example unit because of its durability and versatility).Movable System Measures 72"W x 78"H x 24.5"D-Floor space required (square feet): 15' -Total filing inches provided: 756"Advantages:• Efficient use of floor space • Suitable for color-coding files • Less expensive than units with drawers when total filing inches are considered • All the advantages of L&T shelving • Economical way to maximize filing inchesDisadvantages:• Most of the files are exposed and unit cannot be locked • Records are visible • Difficult to add doors • Cannot add to the height of the unit • The movable shelves are not mechanically assisted (may be hard to move)3) High Density Mobile Filing SystemThis is the granddaddy of the types of available systems for utilization of space. Shelving units are mounted on movable carriages that glide on tracks thus providing access to all the rows of shelving. With the floating aisle on this unit type you are saving floor space by eliminating the need to have an access aisle between each row of shelving.Although many types of open shelving and drawers are often used to accommodate different media, for this study I will stick to units designed for file folders. I highly recommend L&T shelving be used on the movable carriages because of durability. The movement of the unit causes torque which may cause stress fractures in less durable shelving.The comparison system used has one 36" wide stationary single sided unit and two 36" wide double sided movable units, all 7 shelves high with mechanical assist (as opposed to electric).Mobile System measuring 8'W x 78"H x 36"D-Floor space required (square feet): 24.5' -Total filing inches provided: 1,260"Advantages:• Excellent use of floor space, maximum filing efficiency • Reduces need to use expensive square footage of facility for files • Reduces need to use expensive off-site storage companies • Saves retrieval time with readily accessible files • Units can be locked • All the advantages that come with L&T open shelving • Mechanical assist means units are easier to move • Suitable for color-coding files • Convertible to accommodate other media • Available with decorator end panes which makes the units visually pleasingDisadvantages:• Difficult for multiple people to access all the files at the same time • More expensive than stationary units • Floor must be able to hold the weight of a mobile file system (tracks will bend if floor is not rated to hold the weight) • Segmented file room reduces the advantages of a high density file system • Carriage and deck add to the height of the system (if ceiling clearance is an issue) • Requires professional installationNow that you know the advantages and disadvantages of each type of shelving you can decide which kind of shelving best suits your needs.