Building a Loading Dock
Designing a loading area requires some careful planning. For safe and successful operations, typical loading dock dimensions should be considered, along with the size and number of trucks you expect to service. G&G Concrete & Construction Inc. can help you devise a strategic plan before we break ground in building a loading dock.
Number of Bays
The first thing you should decide before building a loading dock is how many trucks you’ll need to accommodate. The average loading bay dimensions stipulate a door width of 7.5 to 10 feet wide, depending on the size of the trailer, along with a minimum of 12 feet between each dock. Consider these numbers when determining the number of bays your current structure can feasibly fit.
Type of Dock
In configuring the layout of your dock, it’s important to know the type you’re going to be using. There are a few different styles of loading bays:
- Open
- Flush
- Saw-tooth
- Enclosed
The most popular type of dock you’ll run into is the flush style, where bays line up with the exterior of the building. Though mostly even, a bumper is still required to prevent the truck from backing too far and damaging the building. A typical size for this bumper is about 4 feet.
Apron Area
Because trucks are so long, their drivers need sufficient room to position the vehicle in front of the bay. The designated space to do this is the apron, and you’ll need to think carefully about the average length of the trucks you’ll be bringing into the dock. Maneuverability distance should be a good 5 to 10 feet more than twice the size of the trailer.
Approach Angle
Whether trucks are traveling downward, upward or on level ground to get to your loading dock may have a huge impact in how you design your bays. Proper bumpers need to be installed to factor in this angle, so that trucks can park easily without causing damage to your building.
At G&G Concrete & Construction Inc., we’re well-versed in the standard loading dock dimensions, from the doors to the approach. Contact us at 586-588-9401 to start designing an efficient loading area.
