Loading Docks & Doors FAQs

What about “aggressive pullout”?

Suppose a trucker really tries to break away. What kind of restraint is most likely to hold? Many factors come into play: the type of restraining barrier, the shape of the rear impact guard, the slope of the dock approach, the strength and durability of the restraint itself. Some restraints hold a lot better than others. In some circumstances, some may not hold at all.

Do you load liftgate trailers?

Conventional restraints aren’t designed to hold trucks with hydraulic liftgates, or those with very low frames. If you service such trucks, restraints are available that engage the rear wheels instead of the rear impact guard.

Do you service detached trailers?

All restraints can help keep trailers from moving straight out. But trailers spotted on landing gear pose special concerns. Suppose the landing gear collapses. The trailer’s front end drops, the back end lifts up, and the rear impact guard can float right over the restraint barrier. If you want to service spotted trailers safely, you need a restraint that protects in three dimensions - outward, upward, side-ways. Only a restraint with a rotating hook can trap the rear impact guard against all these movements.

There’s still more to think about.
Will the restraint you’re considering let you safely handle below-dock end loads? Will it provide clear communication between truckers and dock attendants? Can its manufacturer show you a long list of repeat users who attest to its performance and long-term durability?

Dock Accidents Are Expensive. People Are Priceless.
Sure, it’s complicated. But remember, every time a forklift enters a truck, your employee’s life is on the line. And so is your business. Don’t leave gaps in your dock safety system. Ask questions, and invest in restraints that guard against all the hazards you might face. Because “safer than wheel chocks” is not safe enough. Talk to an expert.

What is a dock seal or shelter?

Definition: Dock seals and shelters are fabric structures that surround the top and sides of a loading dock door opening. Dock seals and shelters are designed to be contacted by the trailer as it backs in to the loading dock. Lack or loss of environmental control through an unsealed door can create safety and productivity problems on the loading dock including: employee discomfort, energy loss, theft or security concerns, product damage or contamination, insect infiltration, slippery or dangerous conditions, and loss of temperature control.

Every loading dock sealing situation is unique and to determine your specific needs, examine the following factors: situation, environmental control, access, long life, support and options. See Dock Seals & Shelters Selection Guide for more detail.

How do I choose a dock seal or shelter?

Rite-Hite Seals & Shelters Selection Guide
Choosing the right dock seals or shelters can save you money and increase the safety and efficiency of your operation. But there are no "off-the-shelf" solutions. Your situation is unique. So when selecting these products for your facility, consider five key points, represented by the letters S.E.A.L.S. - Situation, Environmental Control, Access, Long Life and Support.
 
Situation
The types of trucks you serve and the design of your building greatly affect your choice of seals and shelters. The wider the variety of trucks serviced, the more flexibility you must have.
 
Layout of your dock, inclines or declines of the approach, building wall construction, size of the door opening and position of adjacent structures all affect your choice of seals and shelters. The right selection can help provide years of productive service.
 
Environmental Control
Protection from the elements, energy loss and safety are important issues when considering the sealing efficiency of your seals and shelters. Temperature control, water infiltration, wind, dirt and debris, slippery conditions, energy loss, insect infiltration, product damage, theft and employee comfort are all factors that you need to address at your loading dock.
 
Access
While environmental control considerations are important, your choice of seal or shelter design can also affect your ability to access the loads on the trailer - directly impacting your productivity and costs. Limited access can lead to the load impacting the seal or shelter, causing damage and downtime. To ensure proper access, identify the load situations that are most often encountered at your facility.
 
Long Life
The product features you choose help determine the life of your seals and shelters, and can minimize repair costs. In addition to volume of trailer traffic, consider the other factors that contribute to wear when selecting product features. For example, trends in trailer design such as air-ride systems, cause added wear on you seals or shelters. Armor Pleats with proper spacing, strong fabrics and other options can give you greater durability and more years of productive service.
 
Support
When you choose Rite-Hite seals or shelters, you're getting the world's leading brand. So you can be confident these products are backed by the very best warranties, support, and service in the business. With our worldwide network of highly trained service specialists, you get prompt, professional response for installation, maintenance and follow-up services. Only Rite-Hite offers you all these advantages.


Different types of doors may be appropriate for different applications. Before deciding on a specific door style, see How to Select the Right Industrial Door for more information.


Definition: High speed doors are designed for fast open and close, allowing people and/or equipment to move quickly through the opening. When properly applied, they can increase environmental separation, productivity and safety, and reduce maintenance costs.

There are two basic designs of high speed doors: roll-up and bi-parting. Roll-up doors open vertically, while bi-parting doors open horizontally from the center. The specific application must be examined to determine which style is ideal, as each design has distinct features and benefits.

Please see How to Select the Right Industrial Door Solution for more information.


In addition, not all doors are the same. A misapplied door can cause serious problems with environmental control, efficiency, durability and safety, while a properly applied door can: improve safety, increase productivity, save energy, minimize maintenance and repair costs, enhance plant productivity, and provide the best overall return on investment.

There are six factors to consider, which will help you determine the best total door solution for your facility.

1. Environmental Control
2. Efficiency
3. Durability
4. Safety
5. Activation
6. Selection

Determine Importance of Environmental Control.
The most common reason for purchasing a door is to separate different environments. There are several factors which can affect environmental control. These include: environmental separation, sealing, speed of operation, security and quality control. By examining these factors and their importance to you, you will be one step closer to choosing the door that will provide the best environmental control for your application.

Examine how Efficiency can be Improved.
Proper door selection can improve the efficiency of a facility. For example, a fast passage time allows equipment to move quickly through the opening, increasing productivity. Also, optimizing the traffic flow through a facility will improve efficiency, and will increase the productivity of your employees. A closer look at the issues affecting efficiency will help you make the right door decision.
 
Choose a Door Designed for Durability.
The durability of a door can be determined by the following criteria: performance, impactability, maintenance needs and service support. Choose a door which was designed to meet your durability requirements.
 
Make the Safest Choice Possible.
Because safety is important at every facility, factors must be considered which can affect safety. For example, the type and flow of traffic at the opening can contribute to safety concerns. Also consider visibility needs at the opening. A high traffic opening will require more visibility than an opening with minimal traffic. Finally, look for the potential for accidents and choose a door which will help prevent those accidents.
 
Activation of Power Doors is as Important as the Door Itself.
Activation is often taken for granted in door selection, however properly activated doors can provide many benefits. Use activation to your advantage to improve safety, increase environmental separation, customize door operation, improve productivity, eliminate false cycles, minimize door impacts, and lower maintenance and downtime. To determine the best activation for your application, look at the traffic, equipment going through and around the opening, the physical characteristics of the opening, and the types of activation offered.
 
Final Selection is a Total Door Solution.
The door manufacturer you choose should provide a total solution, not just hardware. You should expect innovative products with state-of-the-art features. But, you're not only choosing an industrial door, you're also choosing a company. Make sure you select a manufacturer and local dealer who stand behind the equipment and provide complete service and support. Ask about a company's track record with existing customers. Ask for a product demonstration, and visit a field site where the equipment has been installed for some time. Check out the availability of service specialists. Ask about guaranteed life expectancy of the door and make sure you get written warranties.