Garage or warehouse doors are often open for extended periods of time
while trucks are loaded and unloaded. During this time, conditioned air escapes from the
building. Air infiltration barriers, such as loading-dock door seals, fold around the open
truck bay. They greatly reduce the amount of escaping air, thereby saving energy and
improving employee comfort. The savings can be greater than you might think. Cooling costs
can also be reduced in air conditioned or refrigerated spaces.
When installing loading
dock seals, take the opportunity to check for and seal cracks and small holes on the doors
themselves. Vinyl strip doorways and motorized air curtains also provide thermal barriers
for exterior doors, as well as interior openings between conditioned and unconditioned
spaces. Energy savings payback time can be less than a year on dock seals. For longer
lasting dock seals, look for new high-performance vinyl with abrasion resistance designed
to withstand years of wear. Many manufacturers include easy-to-follow, step-by-step
installation instructions and drawings so your company personnel can install the dock
seals. Professional installers are also available.
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