There are hundreds of billions of tonnes of domestic freight moved in the UK every year, which is why so many businesses and warehouses have their own loading bays. You might be in a goods-based industry or a space that uses a lot of different pieces of equipment – either way, good loading bay operations are vital for smooth business practices. An extra installation that can support your loading bay is a dock house.
Dock houses are stand-alone structures installed directly onto the external face of your warehouse, offering a variety of operational benefits. This article will explore the benefits of installing these external pods, while also highlighting things you should keep an eye out for when seeking out a supplier.
Benefits of loading bay dock houses
These external docking pods can make a huge difference in loading bays, including benefits such as:
- Generating extra warehouse space for loading bay equipment
- Enhanced health and safety in loading through installing a dedicated space
- Offering a sealed, hygienic and weatherproof setting for the loading of goods
These benefits can all do wonders in your warehouse, ensuring loading has its specialised area and doesn’t impede too significantly on your other operational tasks. However, the benefits of loading bay dock buffers and houses are only as profound as the quality of the fixture itself. You need to keep an eye out for certain elements if you’re considering making an installation.
Lightweight & easy-to-install
Purchasing something like one of these houses will cost you money on two fronts – the house itself and then the installation costs. Lightweight materials aid with easy installation, allowing for more cost-effective integration into your workplace. The best supplier will offer pod installation as part and parcel with the pod itself, ensuring that the process is handled with the OEM care that your property needs.
Maintenance & repairs
Along with a provider including a qualified loading bay installer, you also need to consider how reliable and effective the supplier you choose will be in terms of maintenance and repairs. The best provider of your dock house will be on deck to offer long-term maintenance and repair services, ranging from typical check-ups to 24/7 emergency callouts. This can be hard to rely on, so you’d likely need to choose a national company with plenty of engineers across the country.
Proper insulation & sealing in dock houses
Your dock housing unit should be made with proper insulation and weatherproofing in mind, depending on the requirements of your business and geographical location. The aim for many spaces will be to create an ambient, temperature-controlled setting for goods to move in and out of the loading bay. This can be achieved through the integration of insulated cladding or sectional insulated overhead doors, making the houses more suitable for businesses that use cold stores for sensitive goods like food or pharmaceuticals.
Meeting overall industry standards
Any dock houses that you install must be set up to meet all the industry’s present-day standards, which can include the integration of:
- Dock seals
- Dock levellers
- Scissor lifts
- Proper doors
It’s also important to keep an eye out for the reaching of any industry safety standards, such as the EN 1398 directive. The achievement of these standards, along with full customisation, ensures that your dock house will maximise its potential benefits.
Make sure to keep an eye out for all of these elements when seeking out dock houses, leaning toward big, well-regarded, reputable brands with histories of working with various high-profile clients. Check for client reviews, easy contact details and other signs of reliability on your search for loading bay efficiency.
