The short answer is yes and here’s the reason why. Typically dock levelers are installed in a 3 sided pit at the loading dock area. To allow for operating clearances there is usually a 1” gap between the dock leveler platform and the side walls of the pit. When the dock leveler is in the closed stored closed position and the overhead door is closed these 1” side gaps allow cold exterior air to blow up from the dock leveler pit into the building. Traditional efforts to conserve energy at the loading dock have been to close these two 1” side gaps with some form of rubber or brush weather seal. Installing side weather seals have worked well over the years conserving energy however the quest for further energy savings has led to focusing on the rear of the dock leveler pit. The gaps between the back of the dock leveler and the rear pit wall are much smaller than the sides but they are still energy robbing gaps nonetheless. Installing conventional weatherseal and closing both sides of the pit often has the effect of funneling that incoming cold air towards the back of the dock leveler pit and up through the rear gaps into the building. Specifying and installing dock leveler rear weatherseal noticeably minimizes cold air entry into the building at this location. In addition to the energy savings gained by installing this rear weatherseal seal it also increases both safety and worker comfort at the loading dock area.
Nov 11, 2019
