Most rack quotations present bay count and load rating as the headline numbers. In practice, the clear space inside each compartment determines whether the rack can separate the inventory the way the operation needs. A 36-bay rack with a single clear-space dimension applied uniformly is a different storage tool from a 36-bay rack where the clear space is varied across diameter bands.

Why Uniform Compartments Underperform on Mixed Inventory

A warehouse storing small-diameter hydraulic tubing alongside large-diameter industrial pipe faces a geometric mismatch. The small tubing needs many narrow compartments to stay organised; the large pipe needs fewer, wider compartments to accept the bundle without contact. If every compartment is sized for the large pipe, the small tubing inventory consumes more volume than necessary and the bay count is effectively underused. If every compartment is sized for the small tubing, the large pipe cannot be loaded without tilting or forcing.

Herochu’s customisable bay count—24, 32, or 36—is the starting point for resolving this mismatch, not the final answer. The buyer can dedicate specific sections of the rack to specific diameter bands, so the compartment count reflects the inventory segmentation rather than a single average dimension. The 720 mm clear space is similarly customisable, allowing the internal height of the compartment to be matched to the bundle profile.

Modularity as a Specification Strategy

A honeycomb rack is built as a modular structure. Additional bays can be added within the same vertical frame, and material can be introduced at any level without dismantling the existing arrangement. This modularity changes the specification conversation: the buyer does not need to predict the exact inventory mix years in advance. The initial configuration can cover the current diameter bands, and additional compartments can be introduced when the mix changes, provided the structural frame and the lifting envelope allow the expansion.

The mezzanine option adds a second layer of flexibility. The top of the honeycomb structure can serve as a base for an elevated platform, creating storage or workspace above the rack without consuming additional floor area. For a facility where floor space is fixed but vertical clearance is available, the mezzanine converts the rack from a single-purpose storage unit into a small vertical warehouse.

CE Certification and Custom Scope

A custom configuration raises a conformity question that a standard catalogue product does not. If the bay count, clear space, or mezzanine differs from the certified baseline, does the CE certificate still cover the delivered assembly? The buyer should confirm whether the certificate is issued for a product family with defined parameter ranges or for a specific fixed configuration. For a custom HC-series rack, the relevant documentation should state the standard, the execution class, and the boundaries within which the certificate remains valid.

This is not a reason to avoid customisation. It is a reason to treat the certificate scope as part of the technical specification, alongside the load rating and the bay count. A rack that is correctly sized for the inventory but lacks a clear certification scope creates a documentation gap at handover.

The Material Cart Interface

The product description for the honeycomb rack includes a material cart for efficient handling. In a custom configuration, the cart interface is where the compartment geometry meets the crane or forklift workflow. If the cart is loaded at floor level and then transferred into the rack, the compartment clear space and the cart dimensions must be compatible. If the crane loads the bundle directly into the compartment, the cart becomes a retrieval aid rather than a loading device. Clarifying this interface before the bay dimensions are frozen prevents a common retrofit problem: a rack that stores the material correctly but requires an additional handling step to move it in and out.

Herochu’s HC-series uses a mechanical assistance discharge method, which supports the movement of stored material toward the access face without requiring the operator to reach deep into the honeycomb grid. For custom bay depths and clear-space variations, the discharge mechanism should be specified together with the compartment dimensions, not as a separate line item after the layout is fixed.

A Practical Specification Sequence

Start with the diameter bands and profile types. Assign a target compartment count to each band based on the number of bundles typically held. Check the longest material against the selected HC model. Confirm the per-level load rating against the heaviest bundle. Then review the clear space and the discharge interface against the lifting method. The bay count and the CE certificate scope follow from those decisions, not the other way around.