About Seals and Shelters
Dock seals and shelters are essential components for any facility with a loading dock, providing numerous benefits that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Dock Seals create a tight seal between the dock door and standard-sized trailers, minimizing energy loss and protecting goods from weather damage. They help maintain internal temperatures, reduce heating and cooling costs, and enhance worker safety by preventing wet or icy conditions on the dock.
Dock Shelters are versatile and accommodate various truck sizes, making them ideal for facilities with diverse shipping needs. They provide a flexible seal for larger door openings, ensuring consistent protection against the elements. Shelters also help with climate control, protect goods, and improve worker safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dock seals and shelters serve different purposes based on the specific needs of your loading dock. Dock seals are typically used for smaller doors and standard Over-The-Road (OTR) trailers, providing a tight seal around the trailer. Dock shelters, on the other hand, are more versatile and can accommodate a variety of truck sizes, making them suitable for larger doors.
For larger doors, such as a 10’ x 10’ opening, a dock shelter is recommended. Dock shelters provide a flexible seal that can accommodate different truck sizes and shapes, ensuring a better fit and protection against the elements.
The repairability of a dock shelter depends on the extent of the damage. Minor tears or wear can often be repaired, but significant structural damage might require replacement. It's best to have a professional assess the damage to determine the best course of action.
Dock seals are foam pads that compress when a trailer backs into them, creating a tight seal around the trailer. They are ideal for standard-sized trailers and smaller doors. Dock shelters, however, consist of curtains that enclose the trailer, making them suitable for a range of truck sizes and larger doors. The choice between a seal and a shelter depends on the specific needs of your loading dock, such as the variety of truck sizes you handle and the door dimensions.
While dock seals can be covered with fire retardant vinyl to enhance their resistance to fire, the foam core itself is not fireproof. This means that while the outer layer can resist ignition and slow the spread of fire, the internal foam can still burn.
Dock shelters are more expensive than dock seals, typically costing about twice as much. This higher cost is due to their larger size, more complex construction, and greater versatility in accommodating different truck sizes.