Shelter wall success
September 1st 2007

Increased efficiency in loading bay technology is recognised as a key issue for managers of large distribution centres who have to ensure speedy turnaround Industrial Door manufacturer Hörmann UK has recently received praise and a certificate of achievement from ASDA for its new Precast shelter wall installation. It successfully carried out the first UK installation of its specially designed precast shelter wall at ASDA's service centre 7 in Falkirk. The centre is used to recycle waste from the main distribution centre as part of the company's commitment to reduce its impact on the environment.

The entire project, which included the shelter wall and loading bay equipment, went so well that Hörmann UK was awarded a certificate of achievement from ASDA. This is the second time Hörmann has received this accolade.

Alan Jenkins, Hörmann UK commercial director explained; "The shelter wall is essentially the front wall of the building above the dock area and our design comes with numerous benefits. The shelter wall is made up of three pieces and does not require any additional steel. The top section connects the main steels tying in the middle and lower piece. Our competitors offer a one-piece design which then requires additional steel to support either side of the wall.

"The Hörmann design is also lower in cost compared to using a traditional steel or clad method and far quicker to install. The finished wall section is extremely robust, which is necessary as this part of the building is usually subjected to a fair amount of wear. The design also means the inner part of the wall has a clean surface ideal for fitting the necessary extra equipment." As far as the actual loading bays, this project incorporated wider doors. At 3250mm they prevent damage to the jambs when loading and unloading vehicles while the full width panoramic vision panels allow more natural light into the building.

Andy Walker, head of ASDA's new build division, was sold on the design when he visited a similar Hörmann installation in Holland: "I was impressed with the benefits that the shelter wall design offered and also wanted to incorporate the wider doors and vision panels that were fitted on that particular project as they were well suited to our requirements at Falkirk." The project also required Hörmann to supply and fit full loading bay equipment for 12 bays. ASDA have now standardised on 1000mm long telescopic lip dock levellers to give maximum flexibility to safely position the lip exactly in the right place on the back trailer.

VB2 adjustable dock buffers were included as these are able to lift and fall with the rear of the vehicle as it is loaded or unloaded, while arrow traffic lights were fitted to assist drivers from the continent.

ASDA also specified a driver's button which acts as both an energy saving and a health and safety mechanism. This means the driver has to leave his cab in order to push the button, which only then allows the internal operators to open the loading bay door.

On the back of the success of this project, Hörmann was also awarded a 60 bay project incorporating the same design of shelter wall for ASDA's site in Doncaster.

In fact the design has been taken one step further by incorporating the cable ducts inside the wall to feed the door and dock leveller motor. The result is that no cables are shown on the wall exterior which provides a neat finish.

The Hörmann Group is a private familyowned business based in Germany with more than 40 subsidiaries worldwide. It has 14 production facilities manufacturing various components for industrial doors, garage doors and loading bay equipment.

It also manufactures its own operators and control boxes.

All of Hörmann's products are built inhouse, and they offer a comprehensive selection from one single source.

Products available include sectional overhead doors, roller shutter doors, folding doors, fast action doors, personnel access doors and fire doors. Loading equipment includes dock levellers, dock shelters and loading bay accessories such as traffic lights, dock bumpers, vehicle restraints and wheel guides.

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