Assembling heavy duty longspan shelving is straightforward when installed correctly. Whether you've purchased our 400mm deep or 600mm deep longspan shelving, this guide will take you through the assembly process step by step.
Our longspan shelving is designed for quick installation while providing a strong, durable storage solution for warehouses, workshops, garages, stockrooms and commercial premises throughout Ireland.
If you're looking for Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving Ireland, browse our full range of Longspan Shelving to find the right size for your business.
Before You Begin
Before starting assembly, make sure you have:
- A flat, level surface
- Allen key (hex key) to tighten the M6 bolts
- Rubber mallet (recommended)
Lay out all of the components and check you have:
- 2 Upright frames (to assemble)
- Horizontal braces
- Diagonal braces
- M6 x 50 bolts and M6 nuts
- Beams
- Metal shelf panels
Download Assembly Instructions
If you prefer to follow the official assembly diagrams while building your shelving, you can download the correct guide below.
🟦 400mm Deep Longspan Shelving
Download the 400mm Assembly Guide (PDF)
🟦 600mm Deep Longspan Shelving
Download the 600mm Assembly Guide (PDF)
Taking a few minutes to organise all parts before you begin will make assembly much quicker.
Step 1 – Assemble the Upright Frames
Start by assembling both upright frames.
Attach the horizontal and diagonal braces between the upright posts using the supplied M6 x 50 bolts and M6 nuts.
Important: Do not fully tighten the bolts at this stage.
Simply hand-tighten each bolt enough to hold the frame together while still allowing a small amount of movement. This makes it much easier to square the frame and align all of the braces before final tightening.
400mm Deep Upright Assembly
For the 400mm deep shelving unit:
- Overall height: 2000mm
- Frame depth: 400mm
- Bottom brace fitted at the 2nd hole
- Intermediate brace at the 14th hole
- Centre brace at the 26th hole
- Top brace at the 38th hole
Follow the supplied assembly guide to ensure each brace is fitted in the correct position.
600mm Deep Upright Assembly
For the 600mm deep shelving unit:
- Overall height: 2000mm
- Frame depth: 600mm
- Bottom brace fitted at the 2nd hole
- Intermediate brace at the 14th hole
- Centre brace at the 26th hole
- Top brace at the 38th hole
The assembly process is identical to the 400mm version, with the only difference being the longer braces used on the deeper frame.
Step 2 – Stand Both Frames Upright
Once both upright frames have been assembled:
- Stand both frames upright.
- Position them approximately two metres apart.
- Ensure they are facing the correct direction before fitting the beams.
Having a second person makes this step much easier and helps prevent the frames from falling over during assembly.
Step 3 – Install the Beams
Fit the bottom pair of beams first.
Starting with the lowest beam level helps stabilise the shelving while the remaining beam levels are installed.
Hook each beam securely into the upright frame, ensuring all beam connectors are fully engaged before moving on.
Fit the Safety Pins
Once each beam has been installed, insert the supplied safety pin through the beam connector and upright.
The safety pin locks the beam into position and helps prevent it from being accidentally lifted out of the upright during use.
Once the first beam level is secure, continue installing the remaining beam levels at your preferred shelf heights.
One of the biggest advantages of our Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving is that the shelf heights can easily be adjusted later by removing the safety pins, repositioning the beams and refitting the safety pins.
Step 4 – Fit the Metal Shelf Panels
Once all beams have been installed:
- Place each metal shelf panel onto the beam supports.
- Check every shelf is sitting flat.
- Ensure all shelf panels are fully supported before moving to the next step.
Your shelving unit should now be fully assembled.
Step 5 – Fully Tighten All Bolts
Now that the shelving is completely assembled:
- Check that the shelving is standing level.
- Make sure all beams are fully engaged.
- Use the Allen key to fully tighten every M6 bolt.
- Check the frame is square before loading any weight onto the shelving.
Only fully tighten the bolts after the shelving has been completely assembled.
This allows the frame to align naturally and results in a stronger, straighter shelving unit.
Assembly Tip
💡 Professional Tip
Assemble both upright frames first and leave every bolt hand-tight.
Once all beams and shelf panels have been installed, check the shelving is square before going back and tightening every bolt with the supplied Allen key.
This simple tip makes assembly quicker and helps prevent the frame from twisting during installation.
Common Assembly Mistakes to Avoid
To get the best performance from your shelving, avoid these common mistakes:
- Fully tightening the bolts too early.
- Building the shelving on an uneven floor.
- Installing braces in the wrong hole positions.
- Forgetting to check the frame is square.
- Loading the shelving before all bolts have been tightened.
- Attempting to assemble large shelving units on your own.
Taking your time during assembly will ensure the shelving performs exactly as designed.
How Long Does Assembly Take?
Assembly time depends on experience, but as a guide:
- First bay: Approximately 25-35 minutes
- Extension bays: Usually 15-20 minutes
With two people, installation is significantly quicker.
Can the Shelf Heights Be Adjusted?
Yes.
One of the biggest advantages of longspan shelving is its flexibility.
The beam levels can easily be repositioned to suit different sized boxes, tools or equipment as your storage requirements change.
This makes longspan shelving ideal for:
- Warehouses
- Workshops
- Garages
- Stockrooms
- Shipping containers
- Agricultural buildings
- Commercial storage
If you're unsure whether longspan shelving is the right solution, read our Longspan Shelving vs Pallet Racking guide to compare both storage systems.
Why Choose Storeware Longspan Shelving?
Our heavy duty longspan shelving is designed for commercial use across Ireland and offers:
- Heavy-duty steel construction
- Durable metal shelf panels
- Adjustable shelf heights
- Easy assembly
- Expandable starter and extension bays
- Suitable for warehouses, sheds, garages and workshops
- Fast delivery across Ireland
Whether you're organising a warehouse, workshop or stockroom, our shelving provides a strong and reliable storage solution built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any special tools?
No. just an Allen key is all that's needed to tighten the bolts during assembly.
Should I tighten the bolts straight away?
No.
We recommend hand-tightening all bolts while assembling the upright frames.
Once the shelving is fully assembled and standing square, use the supplied Allen key to fully tighten every bolt.
Can one person assemble the shelving?
Yes, although we strongly recommend two people, particularly when standing the upright frames and fitting the beams.
Are assembly instructions included?
Yes.
Every shelving unit includes an assembly guide for the relevant depth, with brace positions clearly shown for both the 400mm and 600mm shelving units.
Can I adjust the shelf heights later?
Yes.
The beams can easily be repositioned, allowing you to customise the shelving as your storage requirements change.
Shop Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving Ireland
Whether you're fitting out a warehouse, garage, workshop or commercial premises, our Heavy Duty Longspan Shelving is designed to provide years of reliable storage.
Browse our full range of Longspan Shelving Ireland today and discover why businesses across Ireland choose Storeware for their storage solutions.