All the pallet terminology you’ll ever need to know.
Width
Direction of the deck boards.
Deck Boards
Multiple boards placed perpendicular to stringer forming both the top and bottom of the pallet and sometimes the top only.
Span
Distance between deck board supports, either stringers or block.
Overall Height
The vertical span between the floor and top side of the top deck.
Length
Measurement of the stringer direction.
Leads
Boards at either end of the deck. Usually when leads are referred to they are wider than the inner boards for increasing structurally integrity. They will usually be 5.5 “wide and known as 6” lead boards.
Inners
Boards in between lead boards. Spacing requirements will usually dictate the number of inner boards used. On average, the width of an inner board is usually 3.5”.
Spacing
The spacing between the deck boards. Space is most critical part of the top decking It’s usually dictated by the need to increase total weight across the entire surface or to accommodate the size or shape of the load so that product cannot tip or fall into the spacing. Lighter weight product with large foot prints can sometimes use fewer boards, thus saving money.
Additional Terms
Heat Treating
The sterilization of a pallet using heat via the kiln process. The pallet is heated to 56degree C/132degree F for a minimum of 30 minutes. This process meets FAO and IPPC standards.
Flush
A pallet with deck boards flush to the stringer or block. No overhang.
Plug
The repair board attached to a defective stringer to make it usable again. A plug is can run the full length of a stringer or only over a section of the stringer being repaired. The number of stringers repaired is used as part of the grading process in GMA pallets.
Wing
The top only (single wing) or both top and bottom boards (double wing) overhang the outer stringers. Usually used for heavier weights such as cement block.
Pallet Types
Stringer
(sometimes called a runner)
Either a solid or notched beam (usually a 2” x 4”) used to support the top and bottom deck boards. Depending upon need a pallet can have from 2 up to 5 stringers per pallet.
Block
A pallet with a rectangular, square or cylindrical spacers between top and bottom decks. Used instead of stringers.
Skid
A pallet with no bottom decking. It is usually always a two way pallet.
EUR Pallet
A commonly used,4way block heat treated pallet used for import/export. The design is strictly regulated by the European Pallet Association and is ISO accredited. If used to ship back overseas only pallets with these markings are acceptable EURO, EPAL, EUR.