Inflatable dock shelters in Kirkwall

Location

Kirkwall, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles

Main postcode district

KW15

Nearby (straight line)

Remote location, covered by arrangement

Survey and quote

Free, with a fixed written quote

What should sites in Kirkwall consider?

When a chilled dock in Kirkwall sees condensation and ice around the door, the seal at the trailer is often where improvement starts. Operators replacing foam seals in Kirkwall that keep wearing out against ill-fitting trailers may find an inflatable shelter suffers far less rubbing.

Specifying a new temperature-controlled warehouse in Kirkwall is the ideal time to design inflatable shelters in with the doors and levellers, so controls are integrated from the start.

We do not give a fixed price without seeing the site. A free survey in Kirkwall lets us check the details that affect the job, and the written quote that follows is a fixed price for the agreed scope. We plan the work around your operation, arrange out-of-hours access if you need it and manage specialist installation engineers throughout. Handover includes testing, a demonstration and the paperwork you need for your records.

Inflatable shelter, curtain shelter or dock seal: which suits a cold chain dock?

For a cold chain dock that receives trailers of different sizes, an inflatable shelter usually gives the best balance of close sealing and flexibility. A dock seal can match it on a uniform fleet, while a curtain shelter is better suited to ambient bays.

• Inflatable shelter: cushions adapt to each trailer's width and height and seal close to the body, with the full opening left clear.
• Dock seal: a tight, lower-cost seal when every trailer is the same size, but it can leave gaps on other vehicles and the pads can intrude into the opening.
• Curtain shelter: flexible and robust, but leaves small gaps that matter more at chilled and frozen docks.

Inflatables also stand clear of the trailer until it has docked, avoiding the rubbing that wears foam pads and curtains. The trade-off is the fan and controls, which need power and servicing. For frozen docks we specify the shelter alongside cold store dock doors so the two work together.

What is involved in installing an inflatable dock shelter?

Installing an inflatable shelter involves fixing a steel frame to the building around the dock door, mounting the cushions and fan, and wiring the controls, usually over one to two days per bay.

1. The wall is checked and fixing points or a subframe prepared.
2. The frame is fixed from powered access equipment in the yard.
3. Top and side cushions are fitted, with protective covers where specified.
4. The fan unit is mounted and the control panel wired, including interlocks to the door, leveller or restraint.
5. Inflation, deflation and cushion retraction are tested with a trailer in the bay.

You will need to provide a clear yard area in front of the bay, take the bay out of use and arrange a power supply near the door, or ask us to include one. At cold stores we plan the work with the dock door kept closed, so the store stays at temperature while the shelter goes up outside.

What we look at on site

• Temperature requirements for chilled, frozen or ambient goods
• How often each door cycles during a typical shift
• Power supply at each bay, including three-phase availability
• Wheel guide positions and yard markings for reversing vehicles
• Clear opening width and height for each door
• Control positions, isolators and any existing interlocks

Options to discuss

Which rules apply in Scotland?

In Scotland, building work such as forming a new opening or a dock leveller pit may need a building warrant from the local authority before it starts. For sites in Kirkwall, external structures such as loading houses or canopies may also need planning permission from the council. We check what applies at survey and factor any approvals into the programme.

Sites in and around Kirkwall are covered by arrangement. There is no charge for the survey or the written quote, and any travel, ferry crossings or overnight stays needed for the installation itself are itemised in the quote, so you see the full price before agreeing.

Questions about inflatable dock shelters in Kirkwall

Inflatable dock shelters near Kirkwall

• All of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles

Other loading bay services in Kirkwall

• Dock sealsFoam cushion pads that compress against the back of the trailer.
• Loading bay conversions and upgradesTurn ground-level doors into docks or bring old bays up to date.
• Loading bay door automationMotors, controls and safety edges to power an existing manual door.
• Dock leveller repairsHydraulic, lip, hinge and control repairs to all common leveller types.
• Scissor lift tablesDock lifts that raise goods to trailer height at ground-level doors.
• Dock traffic lights and interlocksRed and green signals and control interlocks for safe dock sequencing.

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

Have photos of the door, leveller or shelter? Send them with your enquiry and we can give a clearer answer for your Kirkwall site.