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Shelters and seals · Ware

Inflatable dock shelters in Ware

Businesses in Ware and the rest of Hertfordshire can come to us for inflatable dock shelters, with one point of contact who stays with the job from first enquiry to sign-off.

Guide £6,800–£12,800 per shelter ex VATFree site surveySG12
Book a free survey0800 088 6248
Location
Ware, Hertfordshire
Main postcode district
SG12
Nearby (straight line)
Hertford (2 miles), Hoddesdon (3 miles) and Harlow (6 miles)
Survey and quote
Free, with a fixed written quote
Inflatable dock shelters, in short

An inflatable dock shelter is a dock shelter with air-filled fabric cushions at the top and sides of the opening, kept deflated and close to the building until a trailer has reversed in. A fan then inflates the cushions so they press against the trailer roof and sides, giving a close seal that adapts to different trailer widths and heights, and deflates again before the trailer leaves.

How does this suit sites in Ware?

Driving rain and wind at an open bay in Ware can wear cushion fabric, so a protective outer cover is worth considering on exposed docks. Specifying a new temperature-controlled warehouse in Ware is the ideal time to design inflatable shelters in with the doors and levellers, so controls are integrated from the start.

Pharmaceutical distributors around Ware working to tight temperature limits may want the close seal an inflatable shelter gives during every load.

We keep the process simple for sites in Ware. A free survey tells us what the dock needs; a fixed written quote tells you what it will cost and what is included. We then organise the installation, with specialist engineers under our management and a programme agreed around your shifts. Night and weekend work is available by arrangement. Before we leave, the new equipment is tested, demonstrated and handed over with its documentation.

How much does an inflatable dock shelter cost?

An inflatable dock shelter typically costs £6,800 to £12,800 per shelter, excluding VAT, supply and fit. It costs more than a curtain shelter or foam seal because of its cushions, fan and controls, and the closer seal it gives.

Costs are driven mainly by:

  • Size: door width and height, and the range of trailers to be sealed.
  • Cushion layout: a top cushion only, or top and side cushions.
  • Fan and controls: standalone push-button control or full integration with the door, leveller and restraint.
  • Frame and covers: the steel frame and any protective outer curtains.
  • Cold store features: insulated frames or heating where ice is a concern.
  • Site work: wall fixings, power supply, powered access equipment and removal of an old shelter or seal.

We fix the price in the written quote after a free site survey, which also confirms whether your trailer range suits an inflatable shelter.

How does an inflatable shelter work with the dock door and leveller?

An inflatable shelter is the first step in the dock sequence: it seals around the trailer before the door opens and only deflates once the door has closed. Getting that order right is what makes it effective.

  1. The trailer reverses onto the bumpers, guided by dock lights and wheel guides.
  2. The trailer is secured by restraint or key control, and the outside light shows red.
  3. The cushions inflate around the top and sides of the trailer.
  4. With the trailer sealed, the door opens and the leveller is deployed.
  5. After loading, the leveller is stored and the door closed.
  6. The cushions deflate and retract, and the light turns green.

Deflated cushions must sit clear of the door and leveller, and internal straps or weights pull them back so trailers do not catch them. Interlocks make each step depend on the last, so staff cannot open the door onto an unsealed trailer.

Guide price, Ware
£6,800–£12,800 per shelter, ex VAT

The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.

What does the free survey cover?

  • Asbestos register and any other site hazard information
  • Headroom above the opening and which track type will suit it
  • Wall and steel structure for door, shelter and bumper fixings
  • Scope to convert ground-level doors into docks or add lift tables
  • Age and condition of the equipment already in place
  • Wheel guide positions and yard markings for reversing vehicles

Options to discuss

Top cushion only

A single inflatable cushion across the top of the opening, paired with fixed side pads or curtains, for docks where trailer heights vary more than widths.

Protective outer covers

Hard-wearing covers over the cushions that shield the fabric from weather, sunlight and trailer contact, extending cushion life on exposed docks.

Planning, building control and safety law in England

Powered doors and dock equipment installed in England may carry the UKCA or the CE mark, and doors are covered by the product standard BS EN 13241. We hand over the relevant documentation for each item fitted in Ware. Planning and Building Regulations questions are never assumed either way: we check what applies at survey, so you know before work is booked.

Questions about inflatable dock shelters in Ware

How long does installation take at a site in Ware?

It depends on the equipment, the number of bays, the condition of the dock and whether any building or electrical work is needed. We agree a programme with you after the survey, setting out which bays are out of use and when. Larger jobs are usually phased so that part of the dock stays open, and out-of-hours working can be arranged.

What details do you need from us to quote for inflatable dock shelters?

To get started, send the site address in Ware, the number of bays or openings, approximate sizes, and photos of the dock from inside and outside. Tell us what vehicles you load, what goods you handle and any temperature requirements. Drawings help on new builds. We then arrange the free survey and confirm the details before the written quote is issued.

Will you deal with building control and planning for a project in Ware?

We check at survey whether the work is likely to need approval. Forming a new opening or dock pit may need Building Regulations approval, a building warrant or building control approval, depending on the nation, and external structures such as loading houses can need planning permission. Where approval is needed, we explain what is involved, work with your designer or agent, and build it into the programme.

Can a punctured cushion be repaired?

Small punctures and tears can usually be patched, and a badly damaged cushion can be replaced on its own without changing the frame or fan. Repairs are carried out on a chargeable visit, with the price agreed before anyone attends.

What happens to an inflatable shelter if the power fails?

If the power fails, the fan stops and the cushions gradually deflate, so the trailer can leave once loading has been brought to a safe end. At a cold store, the dock door should be closed by hand where possible to protect the store. We explain the power failure routine at handover.

Inflatable dock shelters near Ware

We also cover towns near Ware, including Hertford (2 miles), Hoddesdon (3 miles) and Harlow (6 miles). Each has its own page with the same services and process.

Other loading bay services in Ware

Full guide to inflatable dock shelters · Everything we do in Ware

Use the quote tool to tell us about the doors, levellers or shelters at your Ware site, and we will be in touch to arrange the next step.

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