If there are several different vehicles with varying dimensions at your distribution centre and they all need to use the same loading bay. Special transport like refrigerated trucks are higher due to the overhead refrigeration units. Tankers and city vans and other variations are also possible. A general rule is to determine the average floor height of both the lowest and the highest loaded vehicle. Also take into consideration the frequency of the different types of vehicles. Make your plans based on the 80:20 rule.
Distance
The distance between parked trucks should be big enough to open and close the vehicle’s doors.
Standard loading bays should be at least 3700 mm although, for wide trucks with open doors, this should be increased to approximately 4000 mm (except for refrigerated and freezer trailers. The recommended distance between the truck and the loading pit edge is 1500 mm.
The Enclosed Dock
Here the trailer is parked inside the building or sheltered area during loading and unloading but the construction costs are high and there is limited space. Also, a ventilation system is required. However, it provides good protection for goods and personnel.
Dock Pods
A dock pod is a construction combining a dock leveller and a dock shelter. It offers a good solution for situations where pit recesses cannot be built, for example in existing concrete bays. Cutting out floors is often an expensive and awkward job. When a dock pod can be placed against the existing facade, it can be simply moved after a few years if required. In refrigeration and freezer applications, locating a dock pod may involve specific considerations. In order to maintain the extra insulated construction, it is often better to place the entire loading and unloading unit outside the facade.
The dock pod can be built with a substructure in steel or concrete framework. The top structure, comprising of hot-dip galvanised profiles, can be clad with uninsulated sheeting or insulated panels. The size of the dock pod will depend on the shelter and dock leveller model selected.
The Flush Dock
In this situation, the vehicle reverses up to the back wall of the building. The use of a dock shelter creates a seal between vehicle and the building.
This is the most common installation and the overhead door closes onto the front of the dock leveller.
Yükleme odasının montajı ile birlikte rampa binanın ön tarafına monte edilmekte olup, bu işlem optimum yalıtım sağlamaktadır. Yükleme odasının çerçeve konstrüksiyonu beton, çelik veya her ikisinden oluşabilir.
A Saw Tooth Dock Configuration
In situations where manoeuvring space is limited, a saw tooth configuration may be the best solution. Available manoeuvring space is optimised. Approach roads need to be designed in such a way that trucks can leave in the direction of the angle of the dock. Extra building space is required for this saw tooth configuration and useable space between the levellers is limited.
