In the first story on Loading Docks, I discussed the loading dock design of apron space and truck bays.
In this installment I will cover Types of Docks and Dock Approaches.
There are five types of docks –- Cantilever, Enclosed, Flush, Open, and Saw Tooth.
Cantilever Loading Dock Design
This particular style of loading dock features a dock face that protrudes past the outside building wall. This configuration helps to prevent damage to the building wall if dock bumpers fail.
Enclosed Loading Dock Design
This style of loading dock guards against theft and improves efficiency and comfort. Commonly used by package handlers using box trucks, the design also doubles as space for overhead cranes loading/unloading flat bed trucks. The design is very costly because greater initial investment is necessary to construct it and extensive maintenance is necessary when in use. This particular dock requires ventilation and sufficient air-exchange because of the exhaust emissions of the trucks.
Flush Loading Dock Design
This style is the most common loading dock design. Its features include the sharing of the foundation of the wall. The design requires a dock bumper that projects from the metal and other finishing materials that are used to extend the wall past the foundation. The bumper should be protruding a minimum of 4-1/2-inches from the wall and at least an additional 1-inch if the wall projects 1-inch past the foundation where the bumpers are located.
(Courtesy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loading_dock )
Opening Loading Dock Design
The United States Postal Service uses this type of loading dock design for its delivery trucks. The design features an overhead canopy covering the dock. These docks cannot be heated or cooled and offers limited protection for materials, packages, and employees. Good floor drainage is essential because the dock is open to the weather. Because of its height, OSHA may require edge markings, run-off protection and handrails.
Saw Tooth Loading Dock Design
This style of loading dock is commonly used due to limited space for the dock apron. The staging area between docks is commonly unusable.
There are two dock approach designs –- Level Dock and Declining and Inclining.
Level Dock Approach
Design experts suggest that the loading dock approach feature a grade of about 1 percent to 2 percent incline. This will help locate the trailer farther away from the wall and channels water runoff away from the facility and products.
Declining and Inclining Approaches
Time must be taken to properly design this type of loading dock. First, the declining dock has a tendency to move the top of a trailer toward the wall of the building. This could lead to damage to the facility and equipment. This is also true for the inclined approach. The ICC bar comes closer to the wall under the bumpers. Second, if the incline or decline is too severe, then you may have safety issues concerning employees, equipment, and products. Design experts point out that steep grades wear on loaders and can result in equipment like motorized pallet jacks becoming unworkable.
In later blogs I will discuss dock height, door size and dock bumper configurations, thickness, and installation.