Choosing the most effective loading dock overhead door seal or dock shelter is important for energy savings at the loading dock and for protecting your building from weather and vermin.
The size of the overhead door determines whether a dock seal or a dock shelter should be used.
Foam Compression Dock Seals
Foam compression dock seals are best suited for overhead doors up to 9’ wide x 10’ high. This design is manufactured to be compressed as the truck backs into position, forming a gasket-style seal between the building wall and the back of the truck.
- Compression style dock seals exert force on the building walls.
- If the building walls cannot accept external forces, inflatable dock seals are a better option.
Common designs of foam compression dock seals:
Inflatable Dock Seals
Inflatable dock seals consist of two full-height inflatable side bags and one full-width top inflatable head bag.
- When not in use, the air bags are deflated and remain retracted.
- The truck backs into position without applying compression forces to the building walls.
- The dock attendant activates the inflate control switch, and the bags inflate to form a contour seal around the trailer, protecting the dock from weather and vermin.
Common designs of inflatable dock seals:
Dock Shelters
Dock shelters are typically used for overhead doors greater than 9’ wide x 10’ high up to 12’ wide x 12’ high.
- Dock shelters are a three-sided canopy-style enclosure that usually projects 18”-24” outward from the building wall.
- The enclosure may be made of pressure-treated wood or steel.
- Includes two inward-facing flexible side curtains and a top downward-facing flexible head curtain.
- When a truck backs into the dock, the curtains form a contact seal on the sides and top of the trailer.
Common design of dock shelters:
Inflatable Dock Shelters
Inflatable dock shelters are ideal for harsh weather conditions and larger overhead doors.
- Consist of a three-sided rigid enclosure with two inflatable side pads and one inflatable head pad.
- Airbags remain retracted when not in use.
- The dock attendant activates the inflate control switch, and the bags conform to the trailer shape, providing the best possible seal.
Common design of inflatable dock shelters:
Additional Resources
To assist in selecting the proper dock seal or dock shelter, a copy of the Dock Seal/Shelter Site Inspection Form is available from the Pentalift Sales Department.