We know that every design challenge begins with the parti—the guiding idea, the story that inspires the solution. At Aurora Storage®, we have a solution for every story. Explore our user-friendly guides and resources to elevate your projects with enhanced space planning, improved accessibility, and flexible storage systems.  

Aurora shelving CSI specifications


CSI Specifications Four Post Shelving
CSI Specifications Library Case Type
CSI Specifications Wood-Tek™

 

Aurora Mobile CSI Specifications


CSI Specifications Electric Low-Profile
CSI Specifications Electric Mobile
CSI Specifications Mechanical Assist Low-Profile
CSI Specifications Mechanical Assist Mobile Specification

 

Aurora Wide-Span CSI Specifications


CSI Specifications Wide-Span Shelving

 

Aurora Times-2™ Rotary CSI Specifications


CSI Specification Times-2™ Rotary Cabinet Specification

 

Aurora ActivWALL™ CSI Specifications


CSI Specification ActivWALL™ Modular Classroom Storage System 

 

Revit Objects for BIM


Aurora Mobile Revit Objects for BIM
Aurora ActivWALL™ Revit Objects for BIM
Aurora Shelving Revit Objects for BIM
Aurora Times-2™ Revit Objects for BIM

Planning a storage system


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Today’s storage systems are complex, encompassing so much more than just filing and office supplies. Flexibility is key whether designing for an office, healthcare, educational, or retail environment.

A well designed storage system can:

Increase work efficiencies
Save floor space
Reduce labor costs
Be “GREEN”

What’s Being Stored?

File folders are still the most common item stored, but the range of other materials requiring storage is growing as businesses migrate to electronic record keeping.

Professionally planned storage systems work well for all types of items from small to large including:

Binders
Boxes
Files
DVDs and CDs
Pharmaceuticals

Athletic Equipment
Retail Goods
Computers and Monitors
Evidence
Weapons

How Much Space is Available?

Space planning is a critical step when developing a storage system. In fact, most storage alterations are made as a result of a change in space.

New Facility?  Downsizing?  Reconfiguring?

  • Does a move to a new facility provide a greater latitude to design the system from the ground up?
  • Is the change due to downsizing or a need to find work space for new employees?
  • Is the reconfiguration of existing office space to accommodate departmental versus personal storage?

No matter what scenario matches your situation, each can impact the design decision and product selection you make.

How Big?
How Many?

File Folders and other items:

File Folders:

  • Letter or legal files?
  • Top tab or side tab, with or without?
  • Expansion pockets?
  • How wide is each file?
  • How many files?
  • Including room for growth?

Other Items:

  • Binders, boxes, golf bags, office supplies, computer monitors require a precise measurement of dimensions.
  • Quantify each item

How Many People Will Use the System?

If only one or two people need to access the storage system, it might be designed quite differently than for a workgroup of 20 requiring access to material and files.

What’s the frequency of access?

System access also defines the appropriate storage system. Solutions such as stand alone shelving with many aisles, mobile storage with few aisles, or multiple types of systems in several areas can be valid choices depending on access requirements.

EXAMPLES:

FEW PEOPLE – Moderate Use:  An efficient storage system used by a limited number of people could be a high density mobile with a single aisle.

A LOT OF PEOPLE – High Use: Storage accessed constantly with high traffic might call for a shelving system with many aisles or a mobile system with multiple aisles.

A LOT OF PEOPLE – Moderate Use:  Individual storage for larger, busy workgroups could be solved by placing rotary cabinets among workstations, or actually dividing office space using the cabinets as ‘walls’ that adjoin partitions.

Workers on each side of the rotary partitions have equal access with the benefit of keeping the work area clean with just one spin of a door.

 

Every good storage
system starts with a plan.


Here are things to consider when planning:

Ceiling Height
Sprinkler Heads
Columns
Impediments

Structural Challenges

Structural challenges like this open trussing can be surmounted with creative design, sections of shorter shelving and uprights.

Why Ceiling Height is Important

Design of this mobile storage system had to contend with ceiling-mounted building systems and overhead sprinklers.

In order to comply with National Fire Protection Association codes shelving had to be 18” from sprinkler heads.

ADA Requirements

ADA requires mobile aisle widths to be 36”-42″. Handles or controls should be located no higher than 48” from floor.

Electric mobile systems with push button controls might be a good choice for an ADA-friendly system.

Don’t Waste That Space

Ordinarily wasted space under low windows can be used with interconnected rotary cabinets to handily store conference room supplies.

Seismic Hazards

Installing storage systems in seismic zones may require special anchoring of product or special rail in the case of high density mobile storage systems.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) publishes seismic maps and regional data for structural and seismic engineers. It is important to obtain engineering assessment of any system in such a zone.

Seismic Design Maps and Tools for Buildings and Bridges

Documentation for the 2008 Update of the United States National Seismic Hazard Maps

Special Considerations

Are storage system accessories needed for specialized storage and work areas?

EXAMPLES:

  1. Specimens and slides might require shallow and narrowly partitioned drawers.
  2. Furniture fabric samples could be housed in closed drawers or on open racks.
  3. Pharmacy fulfillment demands quick and visible access—several storage solutions might work.

Today’s Accessories

A wide range of accessory items are available:

  • Bin Dividers
  • Drawers with Partition Inserts
  • Racks for Garments and Samples (hanging apparel or medical supplies)
  • Reference Shelves
  • Media Shelves (hanging CD & tape storage for public libraries)
  • Weapons Racks (ammunition, pistol and rifle storage racks)

Your building’s weight load is an important element when designing a storage project.


Confirm with a structural engineer that the building floor is capable of supporting of a fully loaded system that consists of the estimated Aurora Storage system and media weight.

We can help you by providing equipment and media weight estimates. We can also help with providing alternate equipment configurations and floor load reinforcement solutions if needed.

Floor loading weights per linear inch

MediaWT./Linear InchHeightDepth
Letter Size Files2.27 lbs.9.5″11.91″
Legal Size Files2.8 LBS.9.5″15.03″
Books1.3-2.4 lbs.VariousVarious
%”x3″ INdex cards.45 lbs.4.5″5.72″
6″x4″ Index Cards.72 Lbs.4.5″6.06″
6″x2.75″ Check.80 lbs.2.75″6″
4.5×8.75″ Check.55 LBS.4.5″8.75″
Tab Cards.71 lbs.4.5″7.44″
Securities5.11 lbs.12″18.13″
Binders2.75 lbs.12″5.44″
HANGING tape Reels2.88 lbs.10.88″1″
Periodicals2.5-3.00 lbsVariousvarious

Please note that the estimated weight for letter and legal filing are based on an average of the ranges published by BIFMA* (Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association). Both filing estimates from BIFMA and other media estimates provide here by Aurora can vary based on the specific type of materials stored. We provide these estimates only as a guide. *Vertical Files–TestsANSI/BIFMA X5.3-1997

Comparison of products

 

Planning resources

Start planning today.