Dock shelters can keep your loading dock area safe and comfortable by keeping weather and vermin out of your building, while keeping conditioned air inside where it belongs. Welch Equipment sells, installs and services solutions from some of the world’s top dock shelter manufacturers.
What Is A Dock Shelter?
The majority of dock shelters are built with a wood or metal frame that can be rigid or flexible. Fabric and/or fiberglass is normally attached to the perimeter and fabric drapes are mounted to the face of the shelter. These drapes seal the perimeter of the trailer when it’s flush to the dock door opening. Generally, shelters are used for more substantial door openings, and in situations where there is a wide variety in truck heights. Shelters can reach about 70% air flow efficiency.
Rigid Dock Shelter
Among the most popular options, rigid shelters are widely used for large dimension doors in situations where there is little uniformity in truck height and full access to the back of the trailer is required. Rigid sides and head frames are bolstered by steel supports that are typically equipped with fiberglass surrounds to allow sunlight during daytime work. The head frame also acts as a canopy to shelter the dock area from wet weather.
Inflatable Dock Shelter
Like other shelters, inflatable units surround the perimeter of the trailer allowing full access to the trailer. Inflatable shelters use a blower to inflate once a truck is backed up to the dock door. Inflatable shelters are usually integrated with an interlock system, along with the door and/or the dock leveler, where the shelter is allowed to inflate only if the dock leveler and door are in the appropriate positions. Inflatable shelters come in many shapes and sizes for a wide range of uses.
What’s The Difference Between A Dock Seal And Dock Shelter?
Dock seals are constructed with heavy duty fabric covered foam. They’re mounted around the perimeter of a dock door. They allow for a firm seal when a truck backs up to the door.
Shelters, on the other hand, have a frame that surrounds the warehouse door opening with drapes attached to the frame. When a truck backs in, the drapes surround the rear of the trailer and create a seal.
Dock Shelters Near Me
To learn more about dock shelter capabilities and options, speak with a loading dock equipment specialist at Welch Equipment today! Our team of highly trained experts can help with the design and specification of a wide range of dock equipment options.
