Dictionary G-M

Galvanized Insert: A special accessory which is inserted and bolted into the bottom of an upright to act as the base plate. It can raise the upright 1î – 6î off the ground and away from water and chemicals which flow along the concrete of outdoor lawn and garden areas. The special galvanized finish helps prolong the life of the upright and can be replaced without having to replace the entire upright.

Galvanizing: (galv) A process of taking unpainted rack parts and dipping them into a tank of hot zinc (over 800 degrees) to provide a durable zinc coating. Galvanized racking is used in the garden centers and out door storage areas because it is weather resistant.

Gauge: The standard measurement for steel thickness associated with different decimal equivalents.

Gravity Lock: A patented UNARCO locking device which uses a floating pin to secure beams to uprights. When the beam is lifted, the pin stays in the locked position and cannot be dislodged (a result of gravity).

Grade 5 Bolt: A special rating system for hardware. Grade 5 signifies a higher steel hardness than Grade 1.

Gutless Upright: An upright with fewer bracing panels to allow displays or pods to run through the upright opening. Note: Gutless uprights have capacities that are considerably less than standard uprights.
ex.: Heavy-Duty Frame Capacity = 37,500 lbs. Gutless Frame Capacity = 5,000 lbs.

Hammer Holder: A bracket which has two round tubular arms welded to the front to hold hammers. One arm is shorter than the other to allow a slot to slide hammers on for display.

Hardware: Nuts and bolts needed for installation of a beam, upright or accessory.

Heavy Duty Frame: Frame consisting of heavy gauge steel columns that are 3î x 3î.

Horizontals: The bracing of an upright that runs from front to back .

Hot Dipped Galvanized: (galvanized, galv) A process of taking unpainted rack parts and dipping them into a tank of hot zinc (over 800 degrees) to provide a durable zinc coating. Galvanized racking is used in the garden center and outdoor storage area because it is weather resistant.

IBC: International Building Code. A building code which is being adopted throughout the country to help standardize the safety regulations for the construction industry. IBC in some areas has more stringent guidelines on rack design.

Interchangeable Rack: Style of racking with a typical keyhole pattern that will allow multiple manufacturers to install beams and uprights interchangeably.

J-Hook: A metal locking device shaped in the form of a J, placed in holes which align on both the upright and beam. A large head on the end keeps the J-Hook from falling into the upright.

K-Factor: A standard set by the Rack Manufacturer ís Institute for calculating column design and column slenderness.

KSI: A reading of pressure or stress in the testing of steel. PSI rated in 1,000 lbs. per square inch.
ex: KSI for most rack components is between 50 and 55 KSI. i.e. 50,000 lbs. per square inch.

Keyhole: The teardrop shaped holes that are punched on the face of interchangeable uprights for beams to attach to.

L-Rail: (versa rail, add-a-shelf) A metal bracket in the shape of an L, which attaches to an upright and an intermediate post (VPD) to segregate a bay with different size shelves. L-rails attach with two tabs at either end and re quire no hardware. Decking is placed on the L-rails to make a shelf.

Lumber Cradle: Structural steel channels welded in the shape of a large U to hold loose boards and other items that are broken bundles. Two lumber cradles are required at either end of the lumber.

LTL: Less than Truck Load. A less expensive method of trucking which combines many orders on one truck and takes product to a terminal for distribution onto another truck.

M-Divider: (m-bar, m-rod) An accessory that has tubing formed into the shape of an M with brackets that attach to rear beams. M-Dividers are used to separate large product such as windows, doors, moulding, etc.

Mill Line: A set up of machinery in a manufacturing plant which forms and produces parts from coils of steel. ex.: Beam mill is a continuous run of rolls which form a beam into its final shape.

Nuts and Bolts: Hardware needed for installation of beams, uprights and accessories.

Nominal Dimension: General expression which is used to describe a part that is not precise. For example, a part that is 2.95î may be called by a nominal dimension of 3î.