Dock levelers are important for leveling the dock effectively.
Since the dock area is a high-risk department in any warehouse, management must provide as many safeguards as possible. Much of the safety performance, as well as increased productivity, depend on proper design. Planning a safe dock should not be undertaken without the assistance of professional planners. Docks must be designed to accommodate various heights and widths of trailers. Since the federal government has approved trailer widths up to 102 inches.
This width requires dock planners to allow more spacing between each dock door. Dock seals and dock shelters must be purchased or modified to allow for the trailer width. More maneuvering room outside of the dock area is also needed; trailers are now 48 feet and longer. Driveways, approaches, and turning areas must be properly designed for extended trailer size. Dock levelers Orlando is considered to be one of the best and secure way to level the dock and load it effectively.
The potential for a trailer to have a lower floor must also be considered in planning. Conventional trailer heights from the ground to the floor level of the trailer are 48 to 52 inches. High cube trucks have dimensions as low as 36 inches. One way to accommodate this height difference is by installing 30-inch-high dedicated docks. However, these docks can only be used for trailers that are compatible.
Sloped approaches to docks can be a problem in the planning process. The correct dock height is important, and alternatives may have specific drawbacks. Portable ramps can elevate the trailer but serious consideration must be given to proper ramp size and safety. Truck levelers can be installed to adjust the trailer height to the dock. These installations are potentially expensive. Dock shelters, seals, and canopies must also be modified for new dock height design.
Dock planners have the following recommendations for truck traffic. Properly planned access to warehouse docks minimizes and reduces the hazards to employees and visitors entering the property. Safe zones for pedestrians and employee vehicle traffic must be considered.
Service roads should be no less than 26 feet in width. If possible, wider road access will pay greater dividends for future safety. Operators of trailers have approximately 2 feet of clearance when they are passing and approximately 116 to 2 feet of side clearance. This amount of space may be adequate, but it adds a safety factor to have wider access. One-way service roads may be an advantage and. if at all possible should be installed.
Traffic circulation is better and safer. Widths of these service roads should be at least 12 feet. If the roadway will be used to provide pedestrian traffic, a 4-foot-added-width lane with a 4-foot-high protective barrier is needed. The length, width and height of the dock is important, therefore Dock levelers Orlando could be the best option to consider.