Dock houses are an economic insulation solution that contributes to energy savings and an improved working environment. They contain all the relevant components for a complete docking bay; leveler, shelter and door. Together with dock levelers, dock shelters and an insulated or non-insulated cladding house, a complete, stand-alone dock loading system is formed.
The dock house makes it possible to move the actual loading and unloading area outside the building, thereby, releasing the corresponding floor area inside. No major building modifications are required.
Due to the thermal separation between building and docking unit, the dock house can be used in temperature-controlled applications.
Gandhi Automations believes that dock houses are an underrated option that more logistics operations should consider. If properly designed, dock houses can be relatively light in structure whilst still being strong enough to cope with heavy loads.
Dock houses are generally manufactured from insulation panel with a minimum 40 mm thickness (80 mm is optional). They can, however, be covered in single-skin cladding for ambient buildings. Insulation panels are self-supporting and are extremely strong when fixed in position with deep ‘U’ channels. Roofs are usually made from a deep corrugated section, which is flashed and fitted with downpipes to take rain water down to the service yard level.
The dock shelter or dock pad fixing is organised within the structure and this is generally taken care by galvanised folded sections fabricated into a frame. The door can be housed at the building line creating maximum insulation of the main warehouse when the door is closed. Alternatively, it can be housed within the dock house – either at the front or rear. However, it is important to remember that, if a sectional door is to be used, the dock house must be sufficiently high and long to take the door tracks.
Installation needs to be carefully considered. At many sites, the dock houses are entirely separate and independent of each other because it suits the programme for pouring the floor slab inside the warehouse. By contrast, they can be installed in multiple units if space between them is limited. Dock houses are available as individual units or as a row of houses.
Advantages of Dock Houses
- Save space: Dock houses do not take up valuable internal warehouse or factory space and keep loading and unloading functions to a confined area.
- Reduce accidents: Cross traffic will not interfere with the loading dock which delivers distinct health and safety benefits.
- Easy to install: There is no major civil engineering work required when installing a dock house and the installation should not disrupt any work taking place inside the warehouse or factory. Dock houses can also be repositioned on the site if required.
- Save energy: Gandhi Automations’ dock houses are lightweight but exceptionally strong. They are insulated and weatherproof which makes them ideal for ambient and temperature-controlled buildings such as cold stores and also means they deliver energy saving potential.
For more information, visit: www.geapl.co.in
Dock Shelter
