Hand-stacked records storage systems are accessed from the floor or a rolling ladder.

The labor to store and retrieve boxes can be done without the use of any powered equipment. Boxes are typically managed by storing them in a specific rack location.

The balance between density and accessibility is influenced by the type of file system being stored.

The following criteria needs to be addressed when designing high density records box storage systems:

• Storage volume and warehouse layout: ceiling height, dock doors, exit doors, office area, and column locations? Temporary or permanent location?
• What are your needs today and tomorrow? What type of storage expansion phasing will meet your needs?
• Type of storage: record archive boxes, open files, medical files, architectural plans, digital media
• Storage & retrieval: file management software, shipping & receiving operations, number of employees, order picking carts & ladders, scanners, RFID?
• Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors (VRC): material elevators, conveyors, stairs to access upper levels, and other equipment involved in storage systems.
• Sprinkler system: overhead and in-rack sprinklers?
• Energy efficient lighting: T5, T8, light timers, automatic sensory lighting?

Selective pallet rack is a good option for long-term storage of pallets containing records boxes that will not be accessed frequently, or at all. Pallets are easy to locate and handle, but individual boxes require extra labor to locate within a pallet.

Catwalk rack storage systems enable wider spans, high weight capacities, and allow for the integration of pallet loading zones, vertical reciprocating conveyors, and many other features to improve the flow of boxes. Catwalk systems provide high density records storage, and offers the maximum level of capacity.

Stand up order pickers, such as the Raymond 5000 Series or the Crown SP 3000 Series, can be used to access boxes in a records storage system. Forklift guide rails are anchored to the warehouse floor to keep the trucks aligned within each order picking aisle.