Dock shelters can keep your loading dock area safe and comfortable by keeping weather and vermin out of your building, while keeping conditioned air inside where it belongs. Raymond West provides, installs and maintains products from the top producers of dock shelters in the country.

What Is A Dock Shelter?

The majority of dock shelters are built with a metal or wood frame that can be rigid or flexible. Fiberglass or fabric is normally affixed to the outer surface and fabric curtains attach to the face of the shelter. These curtains seal the perimeter of the trailer when it’s flush to the warehouse door frame. Generally, shelters are put to use for more substantial door frames, and in situations where there is a wide variety in truck heights. Shelters can achieve about 70% air flow efficiency.

Rigid Dock Shelter

Among the most popular options, rigid shelters are widely utilized for oversized openings in scenarios where there is little uniformity in trailer height and complete access to the back of the trailer is needed. Stiff head frames and sides are bolstered by metal supports that are generally configured with fiberglass sides to maximize light during daytime operations. The head frame also acts as a canopy to shelter the loading dock from precipitation.

Inflatable Dock Shelter

Like other shelters, inflatable units seal the sides of the trailer permitting unrestricted ingress and egress to the trailer. A blower is used to inflate the shelter once a trailer is secured to the dock bay. Inflatable shelters are commonly part of an interlock system, along with the door and/or the dock leveler, where the shelter can inflate only when the dock leveler and door are in the appropriate positions. Inflatable shelters come in many shapes and sizes for all types of operations.

What’s The Difference Between A Dock Seal And Dock Shelter?

Dock seals are made from heavy duty fabric covered foam. They’re attached around the outside edges of a warehouse door. They allow for a tight seal when a truck backs up to the door.

Shelters, on the other hand, have a frame that surrounds the warehouse door with drapes attached to the frame. When a truck backs in, the drapes enshroud the rear of the trailer and form a seal.

Dock Shelters Near Me

To get more information about dock shelter capabilities and options, get in touch with a loading dock equipment specialist at Raymond West today! Our team of of highly trained experts can help with the design and specification of a wide range of dock equipment options.

Raymond West's Fresno facility serves much of the Central Valley, including Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Tulare, Lindsay, Hanford, Lemoore, Los Banos, Santa Nella, Dos Palos, Firebaugh, Kettleman City, Coalinga, Avenal, Mendota, Kerman, San Joaquin, and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Fresno Material Handling Equipment Supplier

2935 S Elm Ave #101
Fresno, CA 93706
(559) 264-7500