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August 26, 2025The Role Of Wire Decking In Racking Systems
Wire decking is the default deck choice for new pallet racking in Singapore in 2026. The reason is not aesthetic and is not load related. It is the SCDF Fire Code 2023 perforation requirement: any deck installed in a sprinklered warehouse needs to let sprinkler water from the level above reach the goods on the level below. Wire mesh decking passes that test by design. Solid steel decking does not, except in narrow configurations.
This guide covers wire deck load ratings, the fire code rules that drive the choice, how wire compares with solid steel decking on cost and function, and the NTL wire deck specs we install across Singapore warehouses.
Quick answer: when do you need wire decking?
Wire decking is required on any pallet racking level where sprinklers protect the racking from above, and where the rack level itself does not have in rack sprinklers. SCDF Fire Code 2023 requires at least 50% open area on the deck so sprinkler water flow reaches the level below. Wire mesh decking typically achieves 70 to 80% open area. Solid steel decking achieves close to 0% and fails the requirement unless perforated or used in narrow specialist configurations. Load capacities range from 300 to 1,200 kg per deck depending on mesh size, gauge, and channel reinforcement.
What wire decking does for a racking system
Three structural functions, plus a fire compliance function.
- Pallet support backup. If a wooden pallet bows, splits, or breaks under load, the wire deck catches it. Without decking, broken pallets drop products to the level below and create cascade damage.
- Loose goods support. Selective racking and longspan often hold cartons, hand stacked items, or partial pallets. Wire decking turns each level into a usable shelf surface.
- Beam pair stiffening. Wire decks clip into both front and rear beams. The deck transfers torsion between the two beams, slightly increasing effective beam stiffness under load.
- Sprinkler water flow. The fire compliance function. Open mesh lets water through to lower levels.
SCDF Fire Code 2023: the perforation rule
SCDF Fire Code 2023 (effective 1 March 2024) governs storage configuration in Singapore warehouses. Two rules drive the wire decking specification:
Rule 1 (Sprinkler clearance to top of stored goods)
Minimum 500 mm for standard storage class (commodity class III and below). Rising to 750 mm+ for higher hazard classes (plastics in cartons, aerosols, certain electronics).
Rule 2 (Water flow to the level below)
In a sprinklered building, sprinkler water from the ceiling system has to reach all storage levels in the rack. Either the rack has in rack sprinklers at each beam level (additional cost), or the decking is sufficiently open to let water through (cheaper, more common).
The threshold for “sufficiently open” used in the SG industry is 50% minimum open area on the deck surface. This is the figure referenced in the SEMA design code for racking, adopted by Singapore competent persons and SCDF assessors.
The practical implication on deck choice:
| Deck type | Typical open area | Fire code outcome (sprinklered building) |
| Wire mesh decking | 70 to 80% | Pass |
| Open grid steel grating | 60 to 70% | Pass |
| Perforated steel sheet | 30 to 50% | Conditional pass depending on hole pattern |
| Solid steel decking | 0% | Fail. Requires in rack sprinklers or compensating fire protection. |
| Timber decking | 0% | Fail. Also a fuel load issue under SCDF Fire Code 2023. |
Solid steel and timber decking still appear in older installations but are being phased out at refurbishment across most sprinklered Singapore sites. New build installations default to wire mesh.
NTL wire decking specs
The wire decking we install across Singapore projects in 2026 covers four standard configurations plus custom builds for specialist requirements.
| NTL deck class | Mesh size | Wire gauge | Channel reinforcement | Load capacity (UDL per deck, 1,200 × 1,000 mm) | Open area | Typical application |
| Light duty | 50 × 100 mm | 3.5 mm | 2 channels | 300 to 500 kg | ~78% | Light retail back of house, archive, partial pallets |
| Standard | 50 × 50 mm | 4.0 mm | 3 channels | 500 to 800 kg | ~75% | General selective racking, FMCG, electronics |
| Heavy duty | 25 × 50 mm | 4.5 to 5.0 mm | 4 channels | 800 to 1,200 kg | ~70% | Heavy duty pallet racking, pharma GDP archive, mixed mezzanine loads |
| Cold storage | 50 × 50 mm | 4.0 mm | 3 channels | 500 to 800 kg | ~75% | Chilled and frozen storage. Hot dip galvanised finish for condensation resistance. |
All four meet the 50% open area threshold for SCDF Fire Code 2023 compliance.
A note on the load figures: UDL means uniformly distributed load across the full deck surface, not point loads. A wooden pallet typically transfers weight through pallet runners that contact the deck at two or three lines. A loose carton load distributes more evenly. The deck rating should be checked against the actual load pattern, not just the gross weight. The underlying load calculation logic sits in our pallet racking load capacity reference.
Finish options: standard zinc plated, hot dip galvanised (for cold storage and humid environments), and powder coated (for visual zoning by colour, common in 3PL multi tenant operations).
Wire decking vs solid steel decking: side by side
The choice between wire and solid steel decking comes up most often on heavy duty installations where the operator assumes solid steel is the stronger option.
| Parameter | Wire mesh decking | Solid steel decking |
| Load capacity per deck (UDL) | 300 to 1,200 kg | 500 to 1,500 kg+ |
| Point load handling | Lower (load transfers through grid intersections) | Higher (load spreads across solid surface) |
| Open area | 70 to 80% | ~0% |
| SCDF Fire Code 2023 compliance (sprinklered building) | Pass | Fail without in rack sprinklers |
| Weight per deck | ~9 to 12 kg | ~25 to 40 kg |
| Cost per deck (indicative SGD) | $35 to $80 | $90 to $180 |
| Installation | Drop in, clip to beams. No tools. | Drop in, often requires sealing or fixing depending on application. |
| Light penetration | High | Zero |
| Inspection visibility (EN 15635) | Pallet base, beam connectors visible through deck | Hidden. Inspector has to lift the deck or check from below. |
| Cleaning | Brush or vacuum. Dust falls through. | Surface cleaning required. Dust accumulates. |
| Best suited to | General storage, sprinklered buildings, pharma GDP, multi tier installations, cold storage | Specialist applications: hazmat secondary containment, food contact surfaces, point load applications with engineered hole patterns |
The default for new pallet racking in Singapore is wire mesh. Solid steel decking is now a specialist choice driven by specific operational requirements (secondary containment for liquids, certain food safety applications, point load profiles). It is not a general purpose alternative.
Where wire decking belongs in different configurations
Different rack configurations have different decking requirements.
Selective racking
Wire decking on all beam levels where partial pallets or loose goods are stored. Standard duty deck class covers most applications. Selective pallet racking installations with full pallets at every level can run without decking if every pallet is intact and the sprinkler system is in rack, but most operators install decking anyway as pallet damage backup.
Drive in and double deep racking
Decking is less common because pallets sit on the cantilevered support rails rather than on a continuous beam pair. Where decking is used (typically on the floor level only), wire mesh remains the default.
Heavy duty pallet racking
Wire decking sized for heavier loads. The NTL heavy duty class uses at 25 × 50 mm mesh and 4.5 to 5.0 mm wire gauge. Always check the deck rating against the specific load pattern.
Mezzanine and multi level installations
Wire decking on the upper levels of any rack supported platform installation is mandatory under SCDF Fire Code 2023 in sprinklered buildings. Open grid steel grating is the alternative where deck load demand exceeds wire decking capacity. The full configuration mix across our pallet racking systems range pairs each rack type with the right deck class.
Installation and inspection
Wire decks drop into place and clip to the beam pair. No tools required. A standard 1,200 × 1,000 mm wire deck weighs 9 to 12 kg, so two installers can fit a full rack run in a single shift.
The clip in mechanism matters. EN 15635 inspection treats unclipped decks as a damage condition because an unclipped deck can shift under forklift impact or pallet placement. The deck retention clips must engage the beam positively, not just rest on top.
Damage signs to flag during inspection:
- Sag or permanent deflection in the deck surface
- Broken welds at wire grid intersections
- Bent or torn wires
- Loose retention clips
- Corrosion on cold storage decks where the galvanised coating has worn through
- Missing decks where they were originally specified (replacement is straightforward; missing decks should not stay missing)
For the broader design phase verification list before installation begins, our warehouse racking pre installation checklist covers 14 items including deck class selection by rack type and fire code zone.
When wire decking does not pay back
Three scenarios where wire decking is overspec or unnecessary:
Drive in racking with palletised stock only
Pallets sit on the support rails. Decking adds cost without operational benefit.
Pallet racking with in rack sprinkler systems already installed
The in rack sprinklers handle the water flow function independently. Decking is then a pallet damage backup only. That is a useful function but not the fire compliance function.
Older non sprinklered single storey warehouses
SCDF Fire Code 2023 still applies but the perforation rule is moot without overhead sprinklers. Decking choice can be driven by other factors (load pattern, light penetration, point load handling).
For most other configurations, wire decking pays back inside the first damaged pallet event it catches.
Conclusion
Wire decking plays an indispensable role in modern racking systems by delivering enhanced safety, optimised storage capacity, and improved operational efficiency. The combination of structural integrity, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness makes wire decking a strategic investment for warehouse facilities of all sizes.
The versatility and reliability of wire decking systems continue to drive adoption across diverse industries seeking to maximise their storage infrastructure. For expert guidance on implementing wire decking solutions that align with your specific operational requirements and safety standards, our team provides comprehensive consultation and support to ensure optimal results for your warehouse racking systems.
