Improper Size of The Dock Doors Can Create Exta-Labor
Loading Dock Dock Door Sizes
Selecting the proper door width and door height is critical to the smooth transition of products and pallets from the truck to the loading dock. Improper size of the loading dock doors can create extra-labor for loading/unloading trucks, reducing efficiency causing product/package damage and possible employee injury
Loading Dock Door Widths
To properly design for the dock door you must plan for the maximum legal truck width, of 8’6″(without permit). An 8’0″ wide dock door may not provide sufficient overall width if the truck has side-by-side pallets to unload/load and if a truck comes in off-center; it may require the truck to reposition, reducing efficiency of the loading dock. The ideal dock door width is 9’0″ wide; it reduces the possibility of door track damage and allows for side-by-side pallets, as well as, slightly off-center truck position at the loading dock.
Note: Greater door widths should be consider if wide-load permitted trucks are to be serviced, and at least one door should allow for the greater width, if a future need should require it.
Loading Dock Planning
- Loading Dock Design
- Loading Dock Safety
- Loading Dock Apron Space
- Loading Dock Truck Bays
- Loading Dock Types
- Loading Dock Approach
- Loading Dock Truck Types
- Loading Dock Height
- Loading Dock Door Sizes
- Dock Seal & Dock Shelter Selection Criteria
- Dock Seal & Shelter Selection Guide
- Selecting Dock Leveler Capacity
- Selecting Dock Leveler Size
- Selecting Loading Dock Bumpers
Loading Dock Door Height
There are three standard door heights that are typically specified, 8’0″, 9’0″ and 10’0″ high doors. The 8’0″ high door can accommodate many single high pallet applications, but does not provide full height access to the maximum trailer height. The 9’0″ high door provides improved access to the maximum trailer height and higher load heights are permitted. The 10’0″ high door height typically provides the best access to the maximum trailer height.
However if full access to the back of the truck is required considered the following formula; with the determine the fixed dock height you choose, subtract that height from the maximum trailer height, and round up by the foot, (example: 13’6″ maximum trailer height minus 4’0″ dock height equals 9’6″, consider a 10’0″ high door) for full access to the back of the truck.
Note: Greater door heights should be consider if special permitted trucks are to be serviced, and at least one door should allow for the greater height, if a future need should require it.
FIND THE RIGHT DOCK SEAL/SHELTER
At Chalfant finding the right dock enclosure for your application just got easier. Whether its a dock seal, hybrid dock seal, flexible dock shelter, rigid dock shelter or or rail shelter, we can help guide you in making the right selection for your application.
SELECT A TOUGH DOCK LEVELER
Chalfant dock levelers and edge-of-docks are made of tough diamond tread plate design that assures a non-slip surface for greater safety and stops that lock the board firmly in place, for easy loading. Find out which “tough dock leveler” is the right choice for your application.
CHOOSE THE BEST TRUCK RESTRAINT
At Chalfant finding the right dock enclosure for your application just got easier. Whether its a dock seal, hybrid dock seal, flexible dock shelter, rigid dock shelter or or rail shelter, we can help guide you in making the right selection for your application.
Proper Loading Dock Equipment Selection
Contact us today for help you with proper loading dock equipment selection for your loading dock equipment application. We can help you in properly select and specify dock seals, dock shelters, rail shelters, dock levelers; hydraulic dock levelers and mechanical dock levelers, truck restraints, and your loading dock equipment needs, to meet your unique needs.
