Conserve O Gram 4/1c: Museum Storage Racks

For more information, see COG 4/1: Selecting Museum Storage Furniture: An Overview.

This Conserve O Gram (COG) details the various types of museum storage racks that meet best practices in the museum profession. For retrofitting existing storage racks, see additional COGs in Series 4: Museum Collections Storage.

Museum storage rack systems are available as both vertical storage, such as art racks, and horizontal storage, such as cantilever racks or pallet racks.

General Pros and Cons

Pros

• Racks make efficient use of vertical space.

• They are flexible and can be free-standing, wall-mounted, or a part of compact storage system.

• Racks may readily allow for visual and physical access.

Cons

• Racks provide less protection from environmental factors than enclosed storage furniture, particularly light, dust, and pests.

• Racks may increase the possibility of objects incurring physical damage, such as falling during an earthquake or unintentional human contact.

• Racks result in reduced physical security against theft or tampering compared with enclosed storage furniture.

Considerations When Choosing Racks for Vertical Storage

Figure 1: Art racks. (NPS Photo)

General Considerations

• Select racks fabricated from powder coated or galvanized steel.

• Use attachment hardware for hanging art that safely and securely accommodates objects’ weight.

• Use drapes or dust covers as needed to protect individual pieces from exposure to light and particulates.

Installation Concerns

• Select racks with a completely welded assembly to guarantee torsional and dimensional stability.

• Anchor racks as appropriate to ensure the safety of both objects and personnel.

• For wall-mounted racks:

  • Verify that both the wall and selected hardware can support the weight of the fully loaded unit.

  • Use the correct wall anchoring hardware suitable for the wall’s composition.

  • Ensure that the unit is mounted level during installation.

• For mobile racks:

  • Decide if the tracking will be mounted from the floor or the ceiling and determine if the panels will pull-out or slide laterally.

  • Determine space and depth requirements for storing and accessing collections.

  • Install bumpers between racks to accommodate object depth.

  • Utilize a smooth, non-binding track system to minimize vibrations.

  • Be sure racks can lock in place both in the closed position and while pulled out.

  • Ensure racks have sturdy handles and cushioned stops.

Considerations When Choosing Racks for Horizontal Storage

Figure 2: Cantilever racks holding rolled textiles. (NPS Photo)

General Considerations

• Can be either wall-mounted or free-standing.

• Select medium or heavy-duty racks according to the collection’s needs.

• Purchase a rack system that is adjustable to accommodate future collections growth.

• Verify load-bearing arms or beams are:

  • Suitably spaced and are of sufficient depth for the objects.

  • Rated to adequately support the objects.

Installation Concerns

• Anchor racks as appropriate to ensure the safety of both objects and personnel.

• Place racks to allow unobstructed access to the objects with necessary equipment.

• For cantilever racks:

  • Ensure cantilever arms are level and properly aligned.

  • If wall-mounted, verify that both the wall and selected hardware can support the weight of the fully loaded unit.

  • Use the correct wall anchoring hardware suitable for the wall’s composition.

  • Ensure there is sufficient bracing between the uprights to provide lateral stability if floor-mounted or free-standing.

• For pallet racks:

  • Ensure horizontal beams are level and properly aligned.

  • Verify size of existing pallets to determine appropriately sized pallet racks.

  • Ensure staff have the appropriate equipment, training, and any necessary licensure to safely retrieve and return objects from rack.

Rack Types

Art Racks

Figure 3: Floor-mounted art racks that slide laterally. (NPS Photo)

Art racks are designed to hold framed and unframed art and other objects that can be safely stored or hung in a vertical orientation. They may be wall-mounted or on a track system. For information on fabricating painting racks in house, see COG 12/1: Storage Screens for Paintings.

Cantilever Racks

Figure 4: Cantilever racks storing canoes on wheeled supports. (NPS Photo)

Cantilever racks are composed of horizontal arms extending from vertical columns or supports and can be wall-mounted or free-standing. Free-standing cantilever racks are available in single- or double-sided configurations. Cantilever racks provide unobstructed access to objects and can be used to store extra-long objects, such as canoes, oars, or long, rolled textiles.

Pallet Racks

Figure 5: Pallet racks. (NPS Photo)

Pallet racks are designed to only hold palletized objects, with the pallets bridging the gap between each row of horizontal beams. They require specialized equipment, such as a forklift, to retrieve and replace objects. Use of the equipment may require specialized training or licensure.

---

Anne Ennes, Textile Conservator
Shay Henrion, Registrar and Conserve O Gram Editor
Casey Oehler, Museum Curator
Museum Conservation and Collections
Harpers Ferry Center, National Park Service

Formerly issued as Conserve O Gram 4/1
Don Cumberland, Jr. (1993), Museum Specialist
National Park Service

The Conserve O Gram series is published as a reference on collections management and curatorial issues. Mention of a product, a manufacturer, or a supplier by name in this publication does not constitute an endorsement of that product or supplier by the National Park Service. Sources named are not all inclusive. It is suggested that readers also seek alternative product and vendor information to assess the full range of available supplies and equipment.

The series is available on the National Park Service Museum Management Program's website.