Among the indispensable accessories used every day in transportation are pallets. The types of such items perform a key function in organizing, handling and converting goods. Nowadays, certain types of pallets can be used, and they must meet certain standards, dimensions and criteria depending on the type of goods being transported or the means of transportation. Check out the most common types of pallets and what distinguishes them.
Basic types of pallets
Among the most commonly used pallets in transportation can be distinguished:
- EPAL pallets and pallets with the EPAL feature – these are flat, wooden structures with dimensions of 1200×800 mm, which are interchangeable, four-piece, and comply with the UIC Code 435 and the European standard EN 13698-1. The EPAL mark is placed on all the supports of these pallets. They also bear the EUR mark appearing on the opposite outer edge supports,
- EUR pallet and pallet with railroad mark – these are wooden flat pallets with dimensions of 1200×800 mm, interchangeable and four-inches, also compliant with UIC Code 435 and European standard EN 13698-1. Pallets of this type are equipped with UIC or typical railroad mark and EUR mark on the supports of the opposite outer extreme,
- LPR, CHEP and closed pool pallets – flat wooden pallets with dimensions of 1200×800 mm, four-inches from a private pool, which come in red or blue. They have an LPR or CHEP marking on the supports. This is a type of rental pallet, which must be returned to the owner after transportation,
- disposable and non-replaceable pallets – wooden, flat pallets that come in different sizes. These are non-interchangeable, four-piece accessories that do not meet any specific standards. On the extreme outer supports they may have various other markings than those listed above.
Different types of pallets and sea transportation
Although many people may associate with sea transportation mainly containers, pallets are also used here. The most common application is the so-called Euro-pallets with dimensions of 1200x800x144 mm. However, their arrangement can be different depending on whether the transport is carried out using 20’DV or 40’DV containers.
For example, when transporting by ship in a 20’DV container, europallets can be arranged in two rows. Four of them are placed parallel to the side wall so that they meet with their shorter edges. The remaining seven pallets are placed on the rest of the space, starting from the shorter wall of the container towards the entrance. Then the pallets are adjacent to each other with their longer sides.
In addition, other types of pallets are used in transportation, which are used to carry specific goods that require certain conditions. These include nine types of CP pallets used for the chemical industry, the weight and size of which are strictly defined, or phytosanitary pallets subject to the strictest European Union standards. Such pallets must be made of a special type of wood that has been fumigated to eliminate any microorganisms residing on such pallets.