When properly specified a declined dock area can be sealed just as effective as if it was a level approach. First you determine the percentage of decline at the loading dock area, this is done by calculating the amount of rise over 50’ from the front of the dock area. For example let’s say the percentage of decline is 4 percent. For a proper seal start with 4”-6” of dock seal projection beyond the face of the dock bumper at the bottom of the side pads. Now deduct 1” of projection at the top of the side pad per percentage of decline. For example if the overall dock seal projection at the bottom is 12” (in a 4 percent declined approach) the top projection of the dock seal would be 8”. With a truck backed into position there is an even and consistent amount of dock seal compression.
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