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Loading bay doors · Hereford

PVC strip curtains in Hereford

Getting PVC strip curtains right at a working dock in Hereford means thinking about the vehicles, the goods, the shift pattern and the people who use the bay.

Guide £180–£1,100 per opening ex VATFree site surveyHR1
Location
Hereford, Herefordshire
Main postcode district
HR1
Nearby (straight line)
Ross-on-Wye (11 miles), Leominster (12 miles) and Ledbury (12 miles)
Survey and quote
Free, with a fixed written quote
PVC strip curtains, in short

A PVC strip curtain is a row of flexible, overlapping plastic strips hung from a rail across a doorway, so that people and vehicles can pass through while the strips fall back to close the gap behind them. At loading bays they hang behind the main door or across internal openings, reducing draughts, dust and temperature loss for much less than the cost of a powered door.

Why do sites in Hereford choose this?

Food and packaging businesses in Hereford can choose strip grades suited to regular cleaning, helping to separate dispatch areas from production. In a warehouse in Hereford where doors stay open for much of the shift, strip curtains offer a practical first step before considering a high-speed door.

Chilled rooms off a dock in Hereford can lose temperature through internal doorways, and a low-temperature strip curtain is a quick, inexpensive fix.

Our part of the job in Hereford is to survey, quote and manage; the fitting itself is done by specialist installation engineers working under our management. The survey and the written quote are free. Once the fixed price is accepted, we agree dates that work around your deliveries and shifts, including out-of-hours working where needed. Every installation is tested before handover, and you receive the documentation for each item fitted.

Which strip width, thickness and grade should I choose?

Choose the strip size by the size of the opening and the traffic through it, and the grade by temperature and use. Wider, thicker strips seal better and resist forklifts, but are heavier to push through on foot.

  • Pedestrian doorways: typically 200 mm wide by 2 mm thick strips with a modest overlap.
  • Forklift openings: typically 300 mm wide by 3 mm thick, with a larger overlap.
  • Large dock openings: typically 400 mm wide by 4 mm thick, which hang well in draughts.
  • Low-temperature grade: stays flexible in chillers and freezers, where standard PVC would stiffen and crack.
  • Ribbed strips: raised ribs take the wear from forklifts and keep the strips clearer for longer.
  • Specialist grades: anti-static, tinted or opaque, or welding grade for screening.

Overlap matters as much as thickness. A full overlap gives a better seal in cold or dusty areas, while a partial overlap is easier to walk through.

Are strip curtains safe where forklifts and pedestrians share an opening?

Strip curtains can be used where forklifts and pedestrians share an opening, but only if the strips stay clear enough for both to see through and the route is managed. Visibility is the main risk.

  • Clear strips scratch and cloud with use, so a driver may not see a person on the other side.
  • Ribbed strips and regular replacement keep visibility better for longer.
  • A separate pedestrian door beside the vehicle opening is the safer arrangement.
  • Floor markings and mirrors help where a separate door is not possible.

At very busy openings, a high-speed dock door with vision panels and safety sensors may be the better long-term answer, because it opens fully for each vehicle and closes again behind it. We can price both so you can compare the cost and the practical difference for your traffic.

Guide price, Hereford
£180–£1,100 per opening, 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?

  • Wheel guide positions and yard markings for reversing vehicles
  • Temperature requirements for chilled, frozen or ambient goods
  • Age and condition of the equipment already in place
  • Yard gradient and the slope of the approach to the dock
  • Gaps around trailers where heated or chilled air escapes
  • Access for deliveries, cranes or lifting equipment during installation

Options to discuss

Low-temperature strips

A grade formulated to stay flexible in chillers and freezers, where standard strips would stiffen, crack and stop falling back into place.

Ribbed strips

Strips with raised ribs that take the abrasion from forklifts and pallets, helping them stay clearer for longer at busy openings.

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 Hereford. 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 PVC strip curtains in Hereford

How long does installation take at a site in Hereford?

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.

Which building and safety rules apply to a site in Hereford?

It depends on which UK nation the site is in. England and Wales use Building Regulations approval, Scotland uses building warrants and Northern Ireland uses building control approval from the council. Workplace safety is regulated by HSE in Great Britain and HSENI in Northern Ireland, and energy rules differ between nations. For your site in Hereford, we check what applies at survey and design to it.

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

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.

How do I clean PVC strip curtains?

Clean strips with warm water and a mild detergent, then wipe them dry. Avoid solvents and abrasive pads, which damage the surface and make strips cloud faster. In food areas, follow your site's hygiene schedule and choose a grade suited to regular cleaning.

Are strip curtains a good alternative to a high-speed door?

Strip curtains are a good low-cost option for moderate traffic, but at very busy openings a high-speed door often performs better because it clears fully for each vehicle and closes behind it. The right choice depends on traffic volume, visibility needs and budget.

PVC strip curtains near Hereford

Sites close to Hereford get the same service, including those in Ross-on-Wye (11 miles), Leominster (12 miles) and Ledbury (12 miles), with every job run the same way.

Other loading bay services in Hereford

Full guide to PVC strip curtains · Everything we do in Hereford

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