- Location
- Fleet, Hampshire
- Main postcode districts
- GU51 and GU52
- Nearby (straight line)
- Farnborough (3 miles), Aldershot (4 miles) and Yateley (4 miles)
- Survey and quote
- Free, with a fixed written quote
A vehicle restraint is a device at a loading bay that physically holds a trailer against the dock until it is safe to leave. In the UK most systems act on the rear wheel, either as a powered wheel-based restraint or a sensor wheel chock. Restraints guard against early drive-away and trailer creep, and are usually interlocked with the door and dock traffic lights.
Is this right for your site in Fleet?
New-build distribution sheds in Fleet can have restraint rails and ducting planned into the yard slab from the start, which is simpler than cutting them in later. Yards around Fleet that park uncoupled trailers at the dock can see trailers creep under forklift traffic, and a wheel-based restraint helps keep the leveller lip on the bed.
Restraint systems for sites in Fleet are surveyed, quoted and installed in the same way as anywhere else in the UK, with a fixed price set out in writing.
Keeping the dock running is usually the first concern, so we plan around it. After a free survey of your Fleet site and a written quote at a fixed price, we agree when each bay can be released and whether any work should happen out of hours. Specialist installation engineers working under our management then fit the equipment, and we test it and hand over the documentation before the bay goes back into use.
What is trailer creep and how does a restraint stop it?
Trailer creep is the gradual movement of a parked trailer away from the dock, caused by forklifts braking and accelerating as they drive on and off the trailer bed. Each movement pushes the trailer forward slightly, and over a full load the gap can grow.
Creep is more likely when:
- the trailer is uncoupled from its tractor unit and resting on its landing legs;
- air suspension or brakes have not been set correctly by the driver;
- forklifts are heavy, fast or carrying dense loads such as drinks or building materials;
- the yard falls slightly away from the building.
As the trailer moves, the leveller lip can lose its bearing on the trailer bed, and in the worst case the lip slips off with a forklift on it. A wheel-based restraint holds the wheel against the rail or chock, so the trailer cannot travel forward however many times a forklift drives on and off.
What happens on site when a vehicle restraint is installed?
Installing a vehicle restraint takes the bay out of use while the rail or chock station is fixed, cabled and tested, but neighbouring bays can usually keep working.
- Set out: the restraint position is marked in line with the bay so it meets the rear wheels of the trailers you receive.
- Fixing: rail-mounted units are anchored into the concrete apron. If a new concrete base is needed, it must cure before the restraint is fitted.
- Cabling: ducts are cut or laid from the restraint to the dock wall, and the control box is fitted inside next to the door.
- Connection: the restraint is wired into the door, leveller and traffic light controls so the sequence works as designed.
- Commissioning: the system is tested with a trailer on the bay, and dock staff are shown how to engage and release it.
We ask you to release the bay for the agreed period, confirm an electrical supply point, provide a trailer for commissioning and tell us about any buried services in the yard.
The same published guide range applies across England; access, out-of-hours working and site conditions are confirmed at the free survey.
What do we check at the survey?
- Power supply at each bay, including three-phase availability
- Condition of any existing leveller pit, kerb angles and pit drainage
- Traffic routes for vehicles and separation of pedestrians
- Escape routes and pedestrian doors close to the bay
- Headroom above the opening and which track type will suit it
- Drainage on recessed or sloping dock approaches
Options to discuss
Manual wheel-based restraint
The same rail-mounted principle with the restraint pushed into position by the operative. Lower cost than a powered unit, with a sensor to confirm engagement to the controls.
Trailer support stands
Stands placed under the front of an uncoupled semi-trailer to stop it dropping or tipping as forklifts drive on, used alongside a wheel restraint or chock.
Which rules apply 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 Fleet. 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 vehicle restraints in Fleet
Will you deal with building control and planning for a project in Fleet?
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.
What details do you need from us to quote for vehicle restraints?
To get started, send the site address in Fleet, 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.
Do you remove and dispose of the old equipment?
Yes, where it is part of the scope. When we replace doors, levellers, shelters or seals at a site in Fleet, removal and disposal of the old equipment can be included and is itemised in the quote, so it is clear what is covered. If anything should be kept, such as a frame or motor that is still serviceable, we agree that at survey.
Do vehicle restraints need servicing?
Yes. A restraint is work equipment under PUWER, so it must be maintained in a safe condition and inspected where wear could lead to danger. Servicing typically covers the rail and arm, sensors, controls and the interlock sequence with the door and lights.
What happens if a powered restraint loses power?
Powered restraints are normally designed with a manual release so a trailer is not trapped on the bay if power is lost. Your site procedure should say who is allowed to use the release and what checks they make first. We explain the release method at handover.
Vehicle restraints near Fleet
Businesses outside Fleet may find their nearest town in this list: Farnborough (3 miles), Aldershot (4 miles) and Yateley (4 miles). Each page covers doors, docks, repairs and servicing.
Other loading bay services in Fleet
Full guide to vehicle restraints · Everything we do in Fleet
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