Most industrial buildings are designed with a level truck approach to the loading dock area. With a level approach, the truck backs into position at the loading dock and the back of the trailer is somewhat “square” to the building’s walls. The rear sides and top of the trailer contact and compress a conventional dock seal 4”–6” to provide an energy-saving seal at the loading dock area.
Declining Truck Wells
However, due to space restrictions, it is not uncommon for trucks to have to back down a sloped ramp to the loading dock; this is referred to as a declining truck well.
At a declined approach, it is most important that the dock bumpers have the proper amount of projection or thickness to stop the incoming truck backing down the ramp 8”–10” before the top of the trailer contacts the wall above the overhead door.
Specifying the Correct Dock Seal
With a declined approach, special care must be taken to ensure the dock seal is specified and supplied correctly.
First, determine the percentage of decline at the loading dock.
If, for example, the decline is 4%, the dock seal side pads can be tapered to provide 4” of extra projection on the bottom than on the top.
Tapering the side pads ensures an even seal over the full height of the back of the trailer and the front face of the dock seal side pads.
Tapering the side pad also ensures the back of the trailer does not over-compress the dock seal, which could lead to excessive pressure on the building’s walls as the truck backs into position at the loading dock.
Example and Additional Information
Follow the link below to see an example of a declined approach:
Projected Pit Dock Leveler Benefits (PDF)
Contact Information
For additional information on any Pentalift product, please contact the Pentalift Sales Department.