LOADING BAYS

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A loading dock or loading bay is an area of a building where goods vehicles are loaded and unloaded. They are commonly found on commercial and industrial buildings, and warehouses in particular.

Loading bays refer to areas or structures at a loading or unloading site where goods or products can be safely and efficiently loaded or unloaded from vehicles, such as trucks or trailers. Loading bays typically include features such as loading docks, dock levelers, and dock seals, as well as any necessary equipment such as forklifts or pallet jacks.

1) Loading bays

  • Gaps between dock ramps and vehicles have to be safely bridged to allow loading and unloading operations to be carried out easily and smoothly.
  • Loading bridges should safely link a dock with any type of vehicle or railway truck. 
  • The loading platform of the vehicle can be either higher or lower than the ramp. As shown in the figure below.
LOADING BAYS
LOADING BAYS ONE
  • Aluminium wedge-shaped units are ideal for raising low vehicles into line with the height of the loading dock.  As shown in the figure. These can be mounted on rollers and easily moved to various work locations.
LOADING BAYS TWO
  • Aluminium hinged loading platforms can be set at various levels. As shown in the figure below.
LOADING BAYS THREE
  • Portable loading bridges can be rolled and carried, and can also be used for loading on to railway trucks.  As shown in the figure.
LOADING BAYS FOUR
  • Loading platforms with projecting lips are also available with automatic hydraulic action.  As shown in the figure.
LOADING BAYS FIVE
  • Hydraulic scissor lifts are used to adjust for differing levels between the yard and the vehicle platform. As shown in the figure.
LOADING BAYS SIX
  • Between the vehicle and the dock ramp as shown in the figure below. Or between two dock ramps. Mobile lift platforms are also available.
LOADING BAYS SEVEN

2) The loading pit

A loading pit is a recessed area within a loading bay that allows a truck or trailer to be positioned at the same height as the loading dock. This makes it easier and safer to load or unload goods or products, as there is no need to lift heavy items up or down to the ground level.

Loading pits are typically designed to be level with the floor of the truck or trailer, and may have a ramp or leveler to help smooth the transition between the two. Some loading pits may also have additional features, such as drainage systems, to help manage any spillage or other debris during the loading process.

The use of loading pits can increase the efficiency and safety of loading operations, and is a common feature in many commercial and industrial facilities.

LOADING PIT
  • A good loading pit is straight and has a maximum gradient of 10%.

3) The platform

The platform in a loading bay refers to the flat, elevated surface on which goods or products are loaded or unloaded from vehicles, such as trucks or trailers. The platform is usually located at the level of the loading dock, and is positioned adjacent to the loading pit.

The platform can be made of a variety of materials, including concrete, steel, or aluminum, and is typically strong enough to support the weight of heavy loads. Some loading platforms may also have safety features such as guardrails or edge protection to help prevent accidents or injuries during loading and unloading operations.

The platform is a critical component of a loading bay, and is designed to facilitate efficient and safe transfer of goods between vehicles and the building.

  • There is wide variety in models and truck dimensions, so it is likely that trucks of different heights will park at the same dock.
  • Special trucks, such as refrigerated trucks, will be higher, even when they are built on the same frame as other trucks, due to the insulated floor.
  • To determine the average floor height of the trucks, you should look at the lowest loaded truck and the highest unloaded truck.
  • However, it is advisable to omit occasional vehicles with extremely low or high floor when calculating the average floor height.
PLATFORM FOR LOADING BAYS
PLATFORM FOR LOADING BAYS ONE
PLATFORM FOR LOADING BAYS TWO
PLATFORM FOR LOADING BAYS THREE

4) Internal transport equipment

  • Continuous height adjustment to any particular level during loading or unloading of the truck is best achieved using forklift trucks, which are available with electric, diesel, petrol and LPG engines as shown in the figure.
INTERNAL TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT
INTERNAL TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT ONE
INTERNAL TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT TWO
  • The height of mobile drive-on ramps for loading containers, lorries and railway trucks can be automatically adjusted according to the suspension of the truck during loading and unloading.
INTERNAL TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT THREE

5) The site

  • It is important to avoid bottlenecks as trucks arrive on site to access loading bays.
  • Properly designed road layouts that enable vehicles to travel quickly and safely with a minimum of manoeuvring will help to eliminate the problem.
  • Efficient traffic management, including strict control over the directional flow of trucks, will also contribute greatly to safe and smooth vehicle movement.
SITE FO LOADING BAYS
SITE FO LOADING BAYS ONE
  • Make sure you have enough space to dock your vehicle.
  • An example of the ideal depth of yard for articulated trucks with overall lengths of 18m is shown in the figure below.
SITE FO LOADING BAYS TWO
  • Calculations based on experience show that under these conditions a length of 35m is required for access. Even the longest articulated truck can then be driven swiftly in and out. This is an important factor in controlling the turn-round of the vehicles on scheduled runs. 
  • If the above mentioned conditions cannot be met, the saw-toothed bay layout, with an angle of 10°-15° offers a practical solution. 
SITE FO LOADING BAYS THREE
SITE FO LOADING BAYS FOUR
SITE FO LOADING BAYS FIVE
  • The largest turning radius for an articulated truck is about 12.00 m.
  • The safe distance to be allowed between two adjacent trucks is a minimum of:
  1. 1.50m with the use of a loading dock;
  2. 3.00m with the use of loading doors.
SITE FO LOADING BAYS SIX

6) Turning radius

TURNING RADIUS FOR LOADING BAYS
TURNING RADIUS FOR LOADING BAYS ONE

7) Traffic movement

TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FOR LOADING BAYS
TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FOR LOADING BAYS ONE
TRAFFIC MOVEMENT FOR LOADING BAYS TWO

Overall, a well-designed and well-maintained loading bay is essential for any facility that requires the loading and unloading of goods or products, and is an important factor in the success of the supply chain and logistics operations.


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