Design Considerations for Improving Loading Dock Efficiency

Loading docks are the arrival and departure point for shipments in your metal transportation facility.

If you are a transportation company, you know that your entire business resolves around these docks, so efficiently designing them is of the utmost importance.

The entire design of your new metal building should revolve around the loading and unloading docks to optimize efficiency and productivity.

Keep reading below for tips and considerations for transportation companies designing a new metal building project.

Building Design Impacts Productivity

If you are the owner of a transportation company, you know the arrival and departure and loading and unloading of goods is the heart of your operation.

Material transfer in and out of your facility should be, and needs to be, seamless. 

The farther employees have to transport products or freight will impact labor costs, and we know you do not want to be paying employees more than you need to.

Therefore, how you setup and design your building is essential to reducing costs across the board.

Our first piece of design advice is to put the material and freight storage next to the docks. This seems like a no-brainer, but many business owners do not realize how a simple layout flaw can impact cost and cause unnecessary expenses.

The farther employees have to walk or move materials, the longer loading and unloading will take, and the more money you will be required to pay your employees.

If you want your building to be the most cost effective, the second piece of advice you will take into consideration is creating proper access to your building.

Proper access is also a key element to your transportation building design, and we don’t just mean the front door.

For smaller trucks and trailers that do not use loading docks, it is essential to have a  ramp and large doorway near the docks so smaller trucks can unload product that needs to be delivered, or load materials that need to be transported.

Automation Improves Efficiency

Automation not only improves efficiency, but also safety.

Many docks, old and new, have not yet implemented these processes, but they are possible and can help reduce costs and increase overall efficiency.

The first automated process to consider is trailer loading.

Laser sensor technology can more precisely and accurately load a trailer while improving safety. This process eliminates risk and saves money by requiring fewer people to be needed on the dock.

As more automated processes are being developed, it is not surprising that transportation companies and their loading docks in particular are garnering accuracy, efficiency, and substantial cost savings.

Important Dock Safety Considerations

Dock safety and precautions are another important category that needs to be considered.

Your company’s loading docks need to provide a safe working environment for all employees.

Therefore, many docks are switching from manual processes to automated.

When it comes to operating dangerous equipment, the process of hitting a button is much safer than hooking up chains, pulling levers, and lowering machinery by hand.

Now, hydraulic docks are doing the heavy lifting, and employees are working at a safe distance, accomplishing the same tasks as before with the simple push of a button.

How to Ensure Your Dock is Helping to Maintain Energy Efficiency in You Metal Building?

Dock doors are large and having multiple sit open for long periods of time can soon make the outside temperature the new inside temperature.

Due to their sheer size, an open dock door is essentially like a missing wall.

Therefore, when the temperature is extremely hot or cold, it is important to have steps in place to help minimize the amount of air that is coming in from the outside, or escaping from the inside.

Another major concern is debris. Air quality intake in the docks can be sub-par and poor ventilation systems can have a negative impact on building occupants. 

Some of the main ways transportation companies can regulate or prevent these issues is to implement, an air barrier system, radiant heating, and air intake ventilation.

Contact the Professional Engineers at CDMG Today!

If you are ready to design your docks for your new metal building, CDMG can help.

Ensure you take all the necessary steps and plan out every aspect of your building for your transportation needs.

Just click on the button below to get started today!

Original blog post published here.