Commercial shelving is the structural backbone of every back-of-house, dry store, cool room and dishwash zone. The right system carries weight without bowing, gives you adjustable tier heights for changing stock, and stays compliant with HACCP and council requirements for off-floor food storage. Hospitality Connect stocks chrome wire, epoxy-coated and stainless shelving from Atlas Shelving, Modular, Metro and 3Monkeez, in widths from 610mm through to 1520mm and standard 1880mm post heights.
Wire shelving versus solid shelf systems
- Chromed wire shelving: The standard for dry stores. Open mesh allows airflow around stock and visibility for stocktakes. Easy to clean and posts can be cut for low ceilings.
- Epoxy-coated wire (EPL): Suited to cool rooms and freezer rooms. The epoxy layer resists corrosion from condensation and humidity better than chrome.
- Plastic mat shelving (PM range): Solid PE mat over wire frame. Stops smaller items falling through and is easier to wipe down. Ideal for chemical stores and small parts.
- Stainless and dishwasher rack bays: Heavy-duty bays from 3Monkeez for racking glass washer and dishwasher trays in pass-through dishwashing layouts.
Sizing your shelving for the space
Map your room before ordering. The Atlas range comes in 610, 760, 1220, 1370 and 1520mm widths and 355, 455, 535 and 610mm depths, so most cool rooms can be fully fitted out using add-on bays that share posts with the starter bay. A 1880mm post height clears most pallets when a stillage is loaded but stays under standard 2400mm cool room ceilings.
Working with weight and load ratings
- Distribute weight evenly: Heavy stock — bulk rice, oil cubes, canned tomatoes — should sit on lower tiers, not the top shelf.
- Plan for chiller use: Cold air drops, so leave a 50–75mm clearance below the lowest shelf to allow drain trays and condensation runoff.
- Fit dunnage in walk-ins: Council inspectors look for stock kept off the floor; a single bottom shelf of solid PM mat makes that compliance straightforward.
Pair commercial shelving with
Australian commercial hospitality covers a broad spectrum — quick-service chains, casual dining, fine dining restaurants, function and event centres, pubs and clubs, cafés, bakeries, hotels, aged-care kitchens, hospital food service, school canteens, government catering and the corporate function market. The right specification varies by venue type. We've supplied equipment to all of these, and that experience helps us flag when a piece of equipment is right-sized or when a different model would suit your throughput better.
Build out the rest of your back-of-house from stainless work tables and storage, add trolleys for stock movement and pair shelving runs with the right refrigeration so cool room layouts work as one system.