Wire Decking in Wisconsin
Wire decking is the mesh panel that sits on pallet rack beams, giving pallets a stable surface and — more importantly — letting fire sprinkler water pass through to the levels below. It's not glamorous, but it's required by fire code in most jurisdictions, and it prevents the kind of pallet fall-through incidents that send people to the hospital. Wisconsin's warehouse market is anchored by Milwaukee and Madison, with growing industrial development in the I-94 corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. The state's food industry (dairy, meat processing, brewing) drives significant cold storage demand. Kenosha and Racine counties benefit from proximity to the Chicago logistics hub.
Learn more about wire decking in Wisconsin ↓Wire Decking Suppliers in Wisconsin (3)
Steel King Industries
Steel King Industries is a leading single-source manufacturer of structural steel storage racks and material handling products. Founded in 1970 they manufacture all products in the USA using only US steel.
Steele Solutions, Inc.
Steele Solutions is the nation's leading designer and manufacturer of steel work platforms and mezzanines. They also produce catwalks crossovers stairs gates material handling solutions and security lockers.
Wolter Inc
Wolter Inc formerly Wisconsin Lift Truck has been providing material handling solutions since 1962 with 7 locations across Wisconsin and Illinois.
When to Choose Wire Decking
- ✓Your fire marshal requires it (most do for rack over 12 feet)
- ✓Pallets are inconsistent sizes or have damaged bottom boards
- ✓You store non-palletized items directly on the beams
- ✓OSHA or your insurance carrier requires a positive stop for stored loads
- ✓You're building out new rack and want to meet code from the start
Key Specs to Ask About
- •Deck size (must match beam span and depth — typically 42"x46" or 42"x52")
- •Wire gauge (heavier gauge = higher capacity, typically 14-6 gauge)
- •Capacity rating (usually 2,000-3,000 lbs UDL per deck)
- •Waterfall edge vs. flared channel (determines how it seats on the beam)
- •Number of support channels (crossbars underneath — more = higher capacity)
- •Galvanized vs. powder-coated finish
How It Compares
| Factor | Wire Decking |
|---|---|
| Fire code compliance | Yes — allows sprinkler water to pass through |
| Pallet support | Provides solid surface for damaged or undersized pallets |
| Typical capacity | 2,000-3,500 lbs UDL per deck |
| Installation | Drop-in — no tools required for waterfall style |
| Alternatives | Plywood (blocked by most fire codes), bare beams (risk of pallet fall-through) |
Wire decking isn't really competing against an alternative — it's a near-universal accessory for pallet rack. The question is whether you install it now or wait for the fire marshal to tell you to.
Wisconsin produces more cheese than any other state — roughly 3.4 billion pounds per year. That cheese ages in temperature-controlled warehouses on racking systems designed to handle the weight and moisture of thousands of 40-pound blocks maturing simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wire decking required by code?
What's the difference between waterfall and flared channel wire decking?
How much weight can wire decking hold?
How many wire decking suppliers are in Wisconsin?
A single fire sprinkler head can dump 25 gallons of water per minute. Without wire decking, your top rack level becomes a swimming pool and the sprinkler can't reach the fire below.
Coverage Map
Related Services
Need help choosing?
Search our full directory or request quotes from verified companies — it's free.