What are the sizes of pallets. Dimensions of standard and euro-pallet (pallets)

Cargo transportation is an integral part of internal and external economic relations. The simpler and faster they are organized, there a greater turnover of money can be obtained. Therefore, the pallets have been distributed as such. It is noteworthy that in the world the size of pallets has unequal standards. Every logistics company should know these features so as not to get caught in a mess.

The concept of pallets

Pallet is a special device used to facilitate loading and unloading operations. In the people they are more often called pallets, since they have a characteristic structure and functions.

For the first time, pallets began to be used in the early twentieth century. Their prototype was knocked down boards with two beams from below. Over time, loading equipment was improved, and with it pallets. The final form they received after the lower boards were nailed under the beams, creating the integrity of the structure.

The popularity of pallets was received in the United States during the Second World War, when it was necessary to maximize the modernization of the loading without additional labor attraction. A little later, American pallets spread to Europe.

See the pallets

By its design, the pallets are divided into several types. Single-sided pallets have only one layer of boards for loading cargo. Two-plots are allowed to turn the pallets and use them on both sides. But at the same time, they are slightly heavier, which can affect the general cargo of transported products.

By the type of fastening of the upper and lower areas, beam pallets are distinguished among themselves, in which a long thick board runs through the entire length. But such pallets have only two sides for the fork lift. Block pallets have a much smaller mass and four sides for pickup by the forklift. But they are not as strong as the first type.

For the duration of use, they are disposable and reusable. The production of multiple-use pallets puts great demands on strength and cleaning capability.

By the type of materials you can find wooden, plastic and metal pallets. Their prevalence depends on the length of service and the cost of the auxiliary tool for loading.

But the pallet sizes have several standards, which should be considered separately.

Europallets

In Europe, a standard pallet is used, the dimensions of which are regulated by the normative documents ISO3676, ISPM 15, ISO TK / 22, UIC norms 435-2 / 435-4. Their dimensions are 800 * 1200 * 145 mm. Compliance with the quality standards is confirmed by the EUR mark in the oval frame on the front carrying leg. On the other legs, other information is burned: the manufacturer, the date, the service life, the availability of sanitization.

Structurally europallets consist of 5 upper boards, which alternate: wide, narrow, wide, narrow, wide. On the lower part are attached only 3 boards: two wide at the edges and one narrow in the middle.

An obligatory condition of the design, which always performs the production of pallets according to the European standard - the presence of facets in the corners.

Finpallets

The second type of distribution in Europe is pallets - Finnish pallets. The standard pallet of this type measures 100 * 1200 * 145. The presence of the certificate is indicated by a mark on the side front legs. Its shape is the letters FIN in the rectangle. On the central legs, it is necessary to have digital information about the manufacturer, series and date of production.

They are also structurally different. The upper platform consists of seven narrow and wide boards. They alternate in this way: wide, two narrow. The lower part consists of three boards - narrow lateral and wide central. Although the dimensions of the pallets are slightly larger, the presence of angled chamfers is also mandatory. This feature ensures compliance with safety standards when performing loading and unloading operations.

Other types of pallets

In international transport, non-reusable pallets are also used. They have dimensions of 800 * 1200 mm and 1000 * 1200 mm, which meets the standards of European and Finnish pallets. In this case, the height of the pallet must be 145 mm. The difference from disposable consists in the thickness of the upper boards. They must be at least 22 mm. Although the pallets themselves are highly standardized, they do not have a brand name.

The last type is Euro-boxes. These are metal stands that stand on the same metal base in the form of euro pallets. The size of the Eurobox is 800 * 1200 * 800 mm. For this type of pallets it is also necessary to have the EUR stamp in the oval.

The other types of pallet are not intended for cargo transportation in Europe. Therefore, you must be very careful, otherwise you can get a refusal to import goods into European countries.

Pallet standards for domestic transport

In many countries of the CIS and up to now operates GOST Soviet times. These pallets are not very different from Finnish or European pallets, but do not have quality certificates. For their manufacture can be used not screw, but ordinary nails. The absence of chamfers is allowed. The thickness of the upper boards varies from 15 to 25 mm. In all other respects, the dimensions of the pallets do not differ from the standards accepted in the world.

Not the last value for the quality of pallets is their purity. Reusable pallets for use in Europe must be clean, while for domestic transport slight contamination and darkening of the wood from prolonged use is allowed.

For domestic freight, the main thing is compliance with standards of size. This requirement is dictated by the convenience of loading standard vans and containers for water transport.

Sorts of reusable pallets

In accordance with European standards, wooden pallets, the price of which (ranging from 50 rubles per piece to 180 rubles per piece, depending on the state) is the most affordable for mass transportation, it is necessary to divide into quality grades. It should be noted that the main indicators remain unchanged. Grading depends on the appearance and duration of use.

The highest grade includes new clean and white pallets. On them there should be no chips or cracks. The use of these pallets does not exceed 3 times.

The second grade is the same clean and white pallets that were used, but not repaired and without other types of damage. The duration of their use is not limited, if the state remains unchanged.

The third grade of pallets allows for small amounts of contamination. It is also possible to darken the boards from prolonged use, the presence of small cracks. Their size is limited to 30 mm in width and 300 mm in length. It is possible to use pallets after minor repairs. All other pallets are written off, since they no longer have those strength indicators and can cause accidents during loading and unloading operations.

Other materials for the production of pallets

It is logical that wood is the cheapest material for the production of pallets. But in the world there are pallets and other materials. Metal pallets possess the highest degree of durability and a long service life. At the same time, they are much heavier than others. Their use is not economically profitable. The only exception is Euro-boxes, the strength of the walls is more important than their large mass.

Well proven and plastic pallets. They are light and relatively strong. A significant disadvantage of this type of pallets is their high cost. Yes, and they are much less able to repair than other types.

The rest of the materials, of which they tried to make pallets, were absolutely unsuitable. They are either very expensive, or fragile, or have a significant weight.

Features of loading on pallets

In cargo transportation, a standard pallet, the dimensions of which are designed for transport dimensions, must be correctly packed so that the cargo being transported is not damaged. If you do not follow the basic rules, the consequences can be very sad.

For starters, it is worth remembering that each pallet has its own load limit. For euro pallets, it is 600 kg, and for finpallet - 750 kg. Exceeding this indicator is fraught with the destruction of the integrity of the pallet and damage to the cargo.

For convenience and compactness of placement, the boxes should not protrude beyond the edges of the loading platform. They are not recommended to be laid out in the form of a pyramid, since this method is the most unreliable. The entire structure must be firmly linked, since the process of moving on the loader is associated with vibrations. Loose structure will collapse quickly.

For barrels and other nonrectangular containers, there are special transportation rules. For the convenience of transportation, they must also be as tight as possible. But in any case, they should not exceed the dimensions of the pallets along the perimeter.

Accommodation in a standard van

Not the last place in the standardization of pallet sizes is their way of loading into the van. It is logical that the cost of transporting one unit of cargo depends on how tightly they can occupy the entire useful area. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the pallets. On average, it is 15-20 kg, but some manufacturers have a figure of 40 kg. This affects the carrying capacity of the van, since part of the load in it is the pallets themselves.

It is generally believed that a 20-foot van can hold up to 11 europallets and 9-10 standard pallets in one layer. Consequently, 40-foot trucks will safely transport up to 24 europallets and up to 22 standard.

In international vans, which are used for the transport of goods, close to it you can arrange 30 pallets 800 * 1200 mm. This applies to 20-ton trucks, the volume of which is 82 cubic meters. Pallets of a larger size are placed in such wagons in smaller quantities, which indicates the inadvisability of their use for international transport.

Safety precautions

Today manual labor is rarely used in warehouses for loading goods into transport. For the most part, loaders and pallets are used for this purpose. Without them, the time of filling the wagon or container is increased several times. But without observing the safety rules, you can get serious injuries, which sometimes are incompatible with life or cause disability.

When working with a forklift truck, you should never be in close proximity to it. The operator may not notice the person who will be hidden from the cargo. As a result, a collision is possible. Also, do not stand under the fork of the loader. Each pallet will sooner or later break, and regardless of whether it is wooden, metal or plastic pallets.

Do not exceed the carrying capacity of machinery. In warehouses, there are times when loaders turn over and crush people or arrange real chaos from scattered boxes and boxes. The consequences of such accidents are eliminated much longer than once again to go for a load.

The use of pallets in warehouses is not a whim, but a vital necessity, which increases productivity on any of them. And everyone knows that time is money. Pallets help them to earn more effectively.