Steel needs a warehouse with a documented heavy floor load rating, handling equipment sized to the product (overhead crane, coil ram or high-capacity forklift), adequate door dimensions for long products, and floor storage rather than racking. Clear height and pallet positions, the usual warehouse metrics, are mostly irrelevant for steel.
Qualifying criteria in order
Work down this list before discussing rate.
- Documented slab rating in pounds per square foot, with point-load capability.
- Handling equipment: crane capacity and hook height, or forklift capacity with the correct attachment.
- Door width and height for long products and oversized bundles.
- Unobstructed floor runs and column spacing.
- Indoor, dry storage with dunnage practice to prevent slab contact and corrosion.
Why racking is usually wrong
Standard pallet racking is not designed for concentrated metal loads, and cantilever racking suits long light product rather than heavy coils. Block-stacked floor storage on rated slab is the normal configuration for imported metals.
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