Inflatable dock shelters are one of the innovations which are streamlining the logistics industry, but to be effective a shelter must be kept in good repair. What are inflatable dock shelters, and why is it so important to have repairs carried out promptly?
Materials handling and the transport of bulk goods from one place to another is by nature a messy business. When a product leaves the factory or packaging plant, it may carry with it traces of materials used in the manufacturing or packaging processes. If it is then transported by road or rail it can come into contact with all kinds of contaminants, such as road dirt, diesel fumes, and organic particles carried on the wind. It is then delivered to a warehouse which may contain waste related to the handling operation, such as plastic twine and shrink wrap, paper labels, polystyrene chips for packing and splinters of wood from pallets. An inflatable dock shelter can help to alleviate some of the problem, provided regular repairs are made.
At each stage of this process, there are things which can be done to protect the product from contamination or damage by these forms of pollution. Vehicles used for the transport of fragile goods should be thoroughly cleaned between loads, and sealed while on the road to prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with the load. Warehouses should be kept clean and tidy, with all waste packaging materials being recycled regularly. But what about the points of transfer between storage area and vehicle, and vice versa? This is where inflatable dock shelters come into their own. These barriers have curtains into which air is pumped. Once the curtains are inflated, they form a seal between the door of the loading dock and the door of the vehicle, similar to an airlock in a spacecraft. As long as repairs have not been neglected, the inflatable dock shelter seals out any foreign contaminants which may otherwise be introduced to the product at this point in its handling process. It is especially important to protect foodstuffs, medical supplies, and electronic products from anything which could contaminate them or their packaging.
All shelters should be made from superior quality materials, and be adjustable to fit the shape of any delivery vehicle which is parked on the loading dock. The fan and motor supplied should be powerful enough to create and maintain an effective seal around the whole dock for the duration of the loading or unloading process. If repairs to the fan or motor of an inflatable dock shelter assembly are required, they should be carried out by a trained professional as there may be risk of electric shock.
As with any inflatable device, especially one operating in an industrial setting, repairs to your inflatable dock shelter will be required periodically. Draper Developments are specialists in the manufacture of inflatable dock shelters and similar equipment, and will be happy to make any repairs necessary to keep your operation running as smoothly as possible.
