Wooden Pallet Guide

ISO Pallet Standards

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) reviewed and confirmed six pallet dimensions:

Most popular type by region

North American Pallet

Of the top pallets used in North America, the most commonly used by far is the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) pallet, which accounts for 30% of all new wood pallets produced in the United States.[4] The ISO also recognizes the GMA pallet footprint as one of its six standard sizes.

EuroPallet

Australian standard pallets

A common pallet size in Australia but very rare elsewhere is the Australian standard pallet. In the RACE container of the Australian Railway, it fits perfectly in the square pallet made of hardwood, measuring 1,165 mm by 1,165 mm (45.87 in by 45.87 in). It is not compatible with the standard ISO shipping containers used around the world, which are 20 feet (6.1 m) and 40 feet (12 m).

Standard pallets in Australia are usually made of hardwood, but lighter wood can also be used to create pallets that can be used as disposable pallets with 16 millimeter boards. These pallets are commonly used in warehouses and storage facilities because of their size and shape, which allow them to be directly transferred from the transportation process to the warehouse racking.

It dates back to World War II that the Australian Standard Pallet was developed, while ISO containers were developed in the late 1950s. Pallets, including the GMA pallet, require less dunnage, are square, and leave less waste space than ISO containers despite their dimensions.

The Australian Government adopted the internationally accepted ISPM 15 wood packaging material regulations in 2010 (previously, hardwoods were used and were more expensive).

Universal Pallet Standards

Pallet standards are established and promulgated by a variety of organizations and associations around the world. There are some who strive to develop universal standards for pallet dimensions, types of materials used in construction, and performance standards.

There are also organizations that focus on pallet standards for specific industries (such as groceries) or materials (such as wood).

National Wood Pallet and Container Association

The National Wood Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) is a trade organization based in the United States representing the interests of wood pallet and container manufacturers

U.S. Department of Defense

MIL-STD-1660, the standard description of palletized unit loads, is maintained by this organization for the use of the U.S. Armed Forces and some allies.

It is typical for DOD Unit loads to use pallets measuring 40 in by 48 in (1,016 mm by 1,219 mm), to weigh less than 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg), to be weatherproof, and to stack 16 feet (4.88 m) high. The pallets are usually steel, the straps have notch seals, the plywood is outdoor, and the plastic film is often used. Forklifts and pallet jacks, impact, drop tests, tipping, water-retention, and disassembling are all described in the standard.

European Committee for Standardization

Furthermore, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), which is also known as the European Union Committee for Standardization (UL), publishes standard for pallets. In spite of the voluntary nature of the standards, many companies and organizations involved with transportation have adopted them. As a general purpose pallet, ICS 55.180.20 is the most widely used standard produced by CEN

International Regulation

• Pallets shipped across national borders must comply with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which stipulates that they must not be capable of carrying insects and plant diseases. In ISPM 15, these pallets are specified as complying with the standards.
• ISPM 15 does not allow pallets made of raw, untreated wood. Compliant pallets (or other wood packaging materials) must be debarked[12] and treated under the supervision of an approved agency using one of the following methods:
• A minimum temperature of 56°C (1328°F) must be reached for at least 30 minutes during the heating process. HT is inscribed near the IPPC logo on pallets treated using this method.
• Methyl bromide is required for chemical fumigation of wood. This method results in pallets bearing the IPPC logo and the initials MB. All EU member states have banned methyl bromide as a treatment since 19 March 2010 due to its potential harm to the stratospheric ozone layer.
• It is required to stamp HT or MB on both sides of treated wood pallets, depending on whether they have been heat treated or methyl bromide treated.
• ISPM 15 regulations do not apply to pallets made from non-wood materials, such as steel, aluminum, plastic, or engineered wood products, such as plywood, oriented strand board, or corrugated fiberboard.

The Wooden Pallet

Pallets of this type are by far the most common. Pallets made of wood are lightweight, stiff, durable, and cost-effective. Further, wood pallets can also be refurbished and reused thanks to a broad pallet recycling infrastructure. Furthermore, timber components can be used to build pallets of any size. Wood pallets have the following general characteristics:

• In the USA, the standard size of a wood pallet is 48″ x 40.”
• There are typically three or four stringers that are attached to a wooden pallet; these stringers have been inserted in order to support the deck boards, onto which the goods are placed,
• These pallet furniture are usually made from what is called “waste” lumber, which, while it may not look as good as furniture made from good looking wood, is just as strong as materials made from good looking wood.
• A foam padding and a protective support are provided for the saddles,
• As they are manufactured using “waste” lumber, they do not cause any harm to nature since no trees are cut down in order to make them.
• It is possible to reuse wood pallets as pallets or as beautiful objects. As a result, these pallets can be re-used and recycled
• There are many advantages to using pallets made from pooled wood: durability, cost, and environmental sustainability.

Wood pallets offer quality reconditioning options as well:

Grade A Pallets (#1)

This is what we consider to be an accurate definition of a Grade A pallet, but there is a great deal of disagreement when it comes to what constitutes such a pallet:

• On top of the pallet, there are seven wooden boards
• At the bottom of the pallet there are five wooden boards
• Some pallets may contain 6″ lead boards, but we cannot guarantee that all pallets will contain 6″ boards, but some pallets may contain 6″ boards if they are available
• Generally speaking, the spacing between top decks is between 2.5″ and 3.5″ depending on the manufacturer
• Each stringer measures 1-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ and there are three of them in total
• 4 – way partial entry
• Flush
• There should be no damage to the stringers or boards
• Whenever there is a split in the stringers, it may be necessary to mount repair plates on each stringer in order to strengthen it
• There should be no pests or contagions in the wood.
• Also known as a #1 or Premium GMA

Grade B (#2) Wooden Pallets

• Mix of hardwood and softwood, repaired with stringer inserts for rackable pallets and one-way shipping.
• The dimensions of Grade B pallets are 48 x 40 inches. The boards and stringers may have some minor damage to them, but they can still be used as they are in good working condition. There are some signs of wear and tear on them since they have been used multiple times.
• It is recommended that an additional runner is placed alongside the broken or cracked piece of wood in order to repair or reinforce it. A pallet classified as “Grade B” is one that has already been used previously and usually has some sort of damage on one of its stringers (if it has any).
• There are a number of treatments that are applied to pallet wood so that it is more sturdy and less susceptible to insects.

Hardwood vs Softwood

Softwood pallets are often considered to be the cheapest pallets, since they are made of a soft material that can be discarded as trash along with other wrapping elements at the end of the journey. Simple stringer pallets are used here, in which the pallets can be lifted on both sides and can be stacked.

Pallets that are made of hardwood blocks, plastic pallets, and metal pallets are slightly more complex to lift as they can be lifted from all four sides. It is usually the case that these more expensive pallets are returned to the sender or are resold once they have been used. It is also common for “four way” pallets to be color-coded according to the loads they can carry, and other attributes that make them useful.

Due to wood pallets’ susceptibility to bacterial and chemical contamination, such as E. coli problems in food and produce transportation, and even insect infestation, the use of ISPM 15 is necessary to prevent serious biohazard risks.

Depending on the pallet’s intended use, including the FDA, storage, chemical and export requirements, the type of wood that is to be used, the weight of the load, the type of wood that is to be used, whether it is recycled, hard, soft, kiln dried or a combination (new and recycled), and the type of fasteners that are needed to hold the pallet together.

As a result of increases in the price of lumber and labor during the COVID-19 pandemic, the price of wooden pallets reached a record high during this period

Different Types of Pallets

Despite the fact that pallets come in all sorts of different sizes and configurations, they can be divided into two very broad categories: “stringer” pallets and “block” pallets.

Stringer pallets

A stringer pallet was one of the first wooden pallet designs, and it is still one of the most popular models today. Stringers make up most of the pallets used across the country and are typically 48 x 40 in size. In order to make a frame, three or more parallel pieces of timber are used (this is called a stringer frame). It is then necessary to attach the top deckboards to the stringers in order to construct the pallet structure. It is possible to cut a notch into the stringer pallets so that a “four-way” partial entry is possible. The stringer pallet can be lifted by a forklift in all four directions, but it is more secure to lift it by the stringers.

Block pallets

Block pallets are also know as “Full 4-way entry”. They are meant for heavier and bulk loads. Often longer lasting and more expensive than the standard stringer pallets. That being said they are harder to repair and therefore less valuable to pallet recyclers

Carrier blocks

Specifically designed pallets for lumber carriers are known as carrier blocks

Flush pallet

Flush pallets are pallets with deck boards that are flush with the stringers and stringer boards along the ends and sides of the pallet. This pallet is constructed in such a way that there is no overhang and the decks, both bottom and top, fit flush with the stringers on all sides so that the pallet is constructed as close to the ideal as possible.

Wing Pallets

• The wings of the pallet are made with an overhanging deck board or deck end attached to the outside edge of the stringers or stringboards so that they can:
• Increase the unit-load area,
• Increase the load-bearing capacity of the pallet
• The use of fasteners can reduce the splitting of deckboard ends
• Using bar slings suspended from a crane, it is possible to lift a pallet with the help of bar slings

Perimeter base pallet

Almost all stringer pallets as well as some block pallets are made with “unidirectional bases,” which means the bottom boards are oriented in one direction only. Often, automated handling equipment can work faster and more efficiently if the bottom boards of a pallet are oriented in both directions. In some cases, a pallet doesn’t have to be turned to rack it, and it’s less sensitive to pallet orientation.

Improvements to quality

You can usually improve a pallet for the least money by specifying better nails. It’s often helpful to control the coefficient of friction on non-wood pallets so they don’t slide off fork lifts. Stronger pallets are more durable, and automated equipment can handle them easier. You can use two-way pallets with unnotched stringers if you don’t need to lift it from all four sides, and you’ll get extra rigidity and strength.

Providers can meet target requirements by specifying flatness and water content tolerances. A pallet inspection, either in person or by a third party (like “SPEQ” inspected pallets), offers extra quality assurance.

How wooden pallets are made

1. Selection of materials
2. Cutting the wood to meet the needed dimensions
3. Notching
4. Placing nails in wooden pallets

Fire hazards

It is possible for both wood pallets and plastic pallets to catch fire. As per the National Fire Protection Association, both types “should be stored outdoors or in detached structures” unless sprinklers are installed.

Contamination risk

Transporting food on wooden pallets can introduce pathogens like E. coli or Listeria. An independent microbiology lab tested 70 wood pallets and 70 plastic pallets that had been loaded with perishable products and shipped to an end user, according to a press release by the National Consumers League. According to the results, 10 percent of the wood pallets (7 pallets) were positive for E. coli, while 1.4% of the plastic pallets (1 pallet) were positive.

Air Cargo Pallets

‘Air Cargo Pallets’ are interchangeable and detachable floor panels. For cargo aircraft, the cargo pod is ideal for transferring air cargo that is less than 1 in (25 mm) thick. The military’s thicker 463L Master Pallet has evolved into many civilian types over the last six decades. An air cargo pallet combined with a cargo net is considered an aircraft “Unit Load Device” for which integrity must be checked before it is used on the aircraft. Rollers or ball-mats are used as ground equipment (forklifting is prohibited when pallets are loaded)[relevant?]

Pallet boxes

• In pallet boxes, there are four walls and possibly a lid on top of the pallet. Pallet boxes can be stacked when fully loaded, unlike pallets. During stacking, a lid may also be added to improve stability.
• The space can be used more efficiently when pallet boxes are stacked on top of one another, which leads to more space being saved in warehouses and more truckload capacity being saved.
• During logistical movements and transport, pallet boxes are also advantageous for storing and securing goods.
• Additionally, pallet walls can be laid flat on the pallet using collapsible pallet boxes. During empty return transport, less space is required.
• There is a close relationship between bulk boxes and palletized boxes; they are usually large, separate boxes.