Wire Shelving for Pharma and Cold Rooms: A GMP and Corrosion Checklist

In short: Open-wire stainless steel shelving suits pharma stores and cold rooms because air, light and cleaning water pass through it, and it can be wiped and washed easily. No shelving makes a store GMP compliant by itself; your quality system does.

Which wire shelving is suitable for pharma GMP storage?

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) asks a store to keep materials clean, identified, protected from contamination and away from the floor. Shelving is a small part of that, but a poor choice causes real trouble: rust flakes, hard-to-clean corners and shelves that bend under load.

Stainless steel wire shelving fits well because the open design lets air move around cartons and makes cleaning quick. Choose the grade and finish with care.

Important: Rackwell does not claim any GMP certification for its shelving. This article describes design suitability only. Your quality head decides what is acceptable under your own GMP and audit requirements.

What should a GMP and corrosion checklist include?

Use these eight checks before you buy, and put the same questions to every supplier:

• Stainless steel grade: Cheaper low-nickel grades can rust in wet or washed areas. Ask for the grade (304 minimum; 316 for strong chemicals) written on the quotation and invoice, with a mill test certificate.
• Smooth finish: Rough welds and pits trap dirt. Ask for an electro-polished or chrome finish, and look closely at the weld points.
• Open-wire shelf: Air and cleaning water flow through, and dust does not collect the way it does on a flat surface. Ask for the wire thickness and wire spacing.
• Load rating: Overloaded shelves bend and gap. Ask for the load per shelf, evenly spread, for your size.
• Plastic parts: Sleeves and wheels have temperature limits. Ask what material the sleeves and wheels are made of and what temperature they are rated for.
• Raised from floor: Keeps cartons away from floor cleaning water. Ask for adjustable height with levelling feet for uneven floors.
• Movability: Makes it easy to move racks for floor cleaning. Ask for wheels with locks, only where the layout needs them.
• Documentation: Auditors ask for records. Ask for an invoice with the grade, drawings and test certificates.

Which grade of stainless steel is right for pharma stores?

We suggest SS304 as the minimum for pharma, food and cold-room use. SS202 and SS201 contain less nickel and can rust sooner when kept wet or exposed to salts and cleaning chemicals. Where strong disinfectants or chlorides are used, ask about SS316.

Rackwell tip: The grades look the same, so the grade must be stated in writing. Read more about our stainless steel shelving systems.

Is wire shelving good for cold rooms?

Yes, if the metal and plastic parts are chosen for the job. In a cold room, moisture condenses on metal and stays there, so low-grade steel rusts quickly. Open wire shelves also let cold air circulate around stored goods instead of trapping it under a solid shelf. Rackwell wire shelving has been used in a hybrid seed cold room application.

One point to remember: the plastic sleeves are ABS plastic and the standard wheels are not suitable for 100 degrees Celsius, so they should not be used near ovens or steam lines without discussing it with us first.

How does ISO 9001 relate to GMP?

Rackwell (M/S R.A. Industries) holds ISO 9001:2015 certification from MyCert, certificate number Q-707025070301, valid from 3 July 2025 to 2 July 2028.

ISO 9001 tells you that we run a documented quality system. It does not certify any pharma standard and is not a substitute for your own supplier qualification. Many pharma buyers still like to see it as proof that checks happen at every step of manufacture.

How should you plan the layout of a pharma or cold store?

• Keep the first shelf off the floor and use levelling feet on uneven floors.
• Leave aisle space for cleaning and for trolleys.
• Match shelf depth to carton size; do not let cartons overhang.
• Spread loads evenly across the wire; do not stack heavy drums on one spot.
• Mark each shelf bay with its own code so records can match locations.
• Plan for expansion: adjustable shelves move at every 1 inch.

What sizes and delivery can Rackwell offer?

Rackwell makes wire shelves in widths from 15 to 60 inches and depths from 12 to 24 inches in standard steps, plus custom sizes, corner, slanted and round-corner shelves, and accessories such as dividers, baskets and shelf liners. See all Rackwell products.

We dispatch from our factory in 15 to 25 days after advance payment and order confirmation, with 18% GST extra and freight and transit insurance extra.

Frequently asked questions

Do you offer GMP certified shelving?

No. We do not claim GMP certification. We offer stainless steel wire shelving with the design features listed above, and ISO 9001:2015 for our quality system.

Is SS304 enough for a cold room?

For most cold rooms, yes. For rooms washed with strong chlorine-based cleaners, ask about SS316.

Can you supply documents for audits?

We can state the grade on the quotation and invoice.

Can racks be customised?

Yes. Send height, width, depth, number of shelves, load and grade.

Talk to Rackwell about your store

Fitting out a pharma store or cold room? Send your sizes on WhatsApp +91 7376145021 or write to info@rackwellshelving.in, or contact us here. We will suggest a grade and layout and quote in writing. Happy Shelving!