General Information: Shelf, Column, Offset, and Front Loading
Shelf Loading
Nominal Shelf Depths, all types
8", 10", 12", 14", 16", 18", 20", 22", 24", 26", 28", 30"
Maximum Load Capacity in Pounds*
| Shelf Type | Shelf Depth | Evenly Loaded | Front Loaded | 15° Degree | 30° Degree | |
| SUS-(NW)(ND) | 1 | 6"-8" | 300# | 300# | 125# | 100# |
| 10"-18" | 500# | 350# | 125# | 100# | ||
| 2 | 20"-24" | 500# | 350# | 250# | 100# | |
| 26"-30" | 400# | 400# | 200# | 100# | ||
| STP-(NW)(ND) | 3 | 6"-8" | 300# | 300# | 250# | 100# |
| 10"-18" | 500# | 350# | 250# | 100# | ||
| 4 | 20"-24" | 500# | 350# | 250# | 100# | |
| 26"-30" | 400# | 250# | 200# | 100# | ||
| HUS-(NW)(ND) | 5 | 14"-18" | 600# | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | 20"-30" | 600# | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| SBS-(NW)(ND) | 7 | 12"-30" | 600# | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* Based on evenly distributed static loading
STP type shelves are "straight-in," horizontal insertion into upright slotting
Column Loading
Column loading is the vertical load, measured in pounds, that can be applied on any upright. Each upright bears one-half of the load of each shelf that it supports.
Offset Loading
Offset loading is measured in inch-pounds and represents the bending load at the connection of the base shoe and the upright. To determine if you exceed the load limit of the fixture, take the difference between the larger inch-pound calculations on one side of the fixture and the inch-pound calculations on the other. This difference cannot exceed 15,000 inch-pounds. For wall sections, the calculation for the one side cannot exceed 15,000 inch-pounds.
Divide each shelf depth by 2. Multiply times the weight on shelf to determine individual shelf inch-pound load.
| D1 18"/2" = 9" x 300 lbs or 2700 inch-pounds | E1 18"/2" = 9" x 300 lbs or 2700 inch-pounds | |
| D2 18"/2" = 9" x 400 lbs or 3600 inch-pounds | E2 18"/2" = 9" x 300 lbs or 2700 inch-pounds | |
| D3 22"/2" = 11" x 500 lbs or 5500 inch-pounds | E3 22"/2" = 11" x 300 lbs or 3300 inch-pounds | |
| Side D Total = 11800 inch-pounds | Side E Total = 8700 inch-pounds | |
| Subtract E from D: 800 inch-pounds | SAFE! | |
| -8700 inch-pounds | 3100 inch-pounds does not exceed the 15000 inch-pound maximum | |
| 3100 inch-pounds |
Divide each shelf depth by 2. Multiply times the weight on shelf to determine individual shelf inch-pounds load.
| F1 18"/2" = 9" x 300 lbs or 2700 inch-pounds |
| F2 18"/2" = 9" x 400 lbs or 3600 inch-pounds |
| F3 22"/2" = 11" x 500 lbs or 5500 inch-pounds |
| Side F Total = 11800 inch-pounds |
| SAFE! |
| 11800 inch-pounds does not exceed the 15000 inch-pound maximum |
Front Loaded Shelves
Important: Front loaded shelves are the most common to exceed fixture loading capacities. Compare the increases in inch-pounds of front loaded shelves over evenly loaded shelves, particularly on wall sections!
A front loaded shelf is one that has a void between the back panel and the merchandise. Take one half the loaded area dimension plus the gap dimension at back and multiply times weight on shelf to determine individual inch-pound load.
| A1 7" + 4" = 11" x 350 lbs or 3850 inch-pounds | B1 6" + 6" = 12" x 300 lbs or 3600 inch-pounds | |
| A2 7" + 4" = 11" x 350 lbs or 3850 inch-pounds | B2 6" + 6" = 12" x 300 lbs or 3600 inch-pounds | |
| A3 9" + 4" = 11" x 350 lbs or 4500 inch-pounds | E3 8" + 6" = 14" x 300 lbs or 4200 inch-pounds | |
| Side A Total = 12250 inch-pounds | Side B Total = 11400 inch-pounds | |
| Subtract B from A: 12250 inch-pounds | SAFE! | |
| -11400 inch-pounds | 850 inch-pounds does not exceed the 15000 inch-pound maximum | |
| 800 inch-pounds |
A front loaded shelf is one that has a void between the back panel and the merchandise. Take one half the loaded area dimension plus the gap dimension at back and multiply times weight on shelf to determine individual inch-pound load.
| C1 5" + 8" = 13" x 300 lbs or 3900 inch-pounds |
| C2 5" + 8" = 13" x 350 lbs or 4550 inch-pounds |
| C3 7" + 8" = 15" x 350 lbs or 5250 inch-pounds |
| Side C Total = 13700 inch-pounds |
| SAFE! |
| 13700 inch-pounds does not exceed the 15000 inch-pound maximum |
