April 2016
LOADING DOCKS: What You Need to Know There are two types of loading docks, Standard Docks located at one side of the building and Cross Docks located on two opposite sides of the building. Loading docks are the arrival and departure point for large shipments brought to or taken from a building by trucks. Tractor trailers should have ease of access to the loading docks with enough room to maneuver in and out of the space. Each type of loading will determine the specific design of the docks and where they are located on the building. Photos by Nick Adams
1) Standard Loading Dock: The loading dock space includes a shipping and receiving dock for trucks, a staging area, and at least one office space for dock supervisors or managers. Warehouses that handle palletized freight use a dock leveler, so items can be easily loaded and unloaded using a forklift. When a truck backs into such a loading dock, the bumpers on the loading dock and the bumpers on the trailer come into contact but may leave a gap; also, the warehouse floor and the trailer deck may not be horizontally aligned. The most common dock height is 48–52 inches. A dock leveler bridges the gap between a truck and a warehouse to safely accommodate a forklift. 2) Cross Docking: Designed for moving product inbound and then delivering outbound directly to the customer with little or no material handling in between. Cross docking not only reduces material handling, but also reduces the need to store the products in the warehouse. In most cases the products sent from the manufacturing area to the loading dock has been allocated for outbound deliveries. Some of the benefits of Cross Docking: Reduction in labor costs, as the products no longer requires picking and packing in the warehouse. Reduction in the time from production to the customer, which helps improve customer satisfaction. Reduction in the need for warehouse space, as there is no Nick Adams requirement to store the products.
Dock Door Features: Bumpers - protect the dock from truck damage, may also be used as a guide by the truck driver when backing up. Dock leveler - a height-adjustable platform used as a bridge between dock and truck, can be operated via mechanical (spring), hydraulic, or air powered systems. Dock lift - serves same function as a leveler but operates similar to a scissor lift to allow for greater height adjustments. Dock seals - compressible foam blocks against which the truck presses when parked; seals are used at exterior truck bays in colder climates where this will provide protection from the weather. Dock lock - a strong metal hook mounted to the base of the dock which will hook to the frame or bumper of a trailer and prevents it from rolling away during loading operations, can be operated via manual, hydraulic, or electrical systems; this system can replace or work in conjunction with wheel chocks. Dock light - a movable articulating light mounted inside the dock used to provide lighting inside the truck during loading operations. Let us know how Jackson Cross Partners can help with your warehouse requirements.
APPLIED KNOWLEDGE IN REAL ESTATE Jackson Cross Partners • 1010 W. Ninth Ave. • King of Prussia, PA 19406 • www.JacksonCross.com Nick Adams | nadams@jacksoncross.com | 610-265-7700 ext 130 Information concerning these offers is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty is made as to the accuracy thereof and it is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price or other conditions, prior sale or lease withdraw without notice. Jackson Cross Partners, any cooperating broker, and any sales person working with either, are representing the owner’s interest and have fiduciary responsibilities to the owner, but are obligated to treat all parties fairly. Property listings held by brokerages other than Jackson Cross Partners, LLC may be included herein.