Responding to the ever-tightening standards being applied to the handling of perishable foodstuffs in South Africa, DDL Equipment has introduced what it describes as ‘the ultimate docking seal’ for dock shelters and dock cubicles.

The E E C has approved this system for South African producers who export their produce to Europe.

DDL’s Andrew Stewart says the high-tech inflatable seals deliver unrivalled energy conservation - close to zero cold air leakage in any cold storage, warehouse, freezer or chiller structure.

"Local authorities are now demanding standards which match those imposed in Europe for handling perishable foods. In fact, health and agriculture authorities in South Africa have now made it standard for trucks to open their doors only once they have docked."

‘The major focus is on the movement of these goods between the storage area and the loading or unloading truck, where goods are vulnerable to exposure to elements in the surrounding environment", he says. "And from the warehouse operator’s point of view, there is also the issue of energy consumption to maintain the required indoor temperature."

DDL began local manufacture of the inflatable dock seals in 2001, and prior to this, imported the units from Europe.

The inflatable dock seal comprises one top and two side contact curtains, which wrap and mould around The reversing truck, sealing off The top and sides. As soon as the tuck is in position, a unique inflating mechanism presses the bellows firmly against trucks of varying sizes, while the bottom corners are sealed by filler cushion pads. This prevents ingress of warm air and loss of cold air.

A large dispatch shelter or cubicle allows double rear truck doors to be fully opened into The warehouse once The truck has reversed into the docking area.

After the unloading process is complete, the high volume, low-pressure fan is switched off and the bellows deflate and retract within seconds, allowing the truck to leave the loading bay.

The dock isotherm cubicle inflatable seal is also installed in front of the cubicle and features a four-sided ISO-panel construction with insulated doors on either side and in the front.

This inflatable seal dock cubicle, located outside the warehouse to provide an airlock dock cubicle, eliminates the need for trucks to stop and open their double rear doors before reversing up to the docking doors. The cubicle accommodates dock levellers, tail lifts and also allows the truck’s double doors to open into the warehouse.

DDL has supplied dock-sealing systems to abattoirs in Southern Africa since the early 1970s. With more than 37 years experience in the Materials Handling industry. DDL Equipment specialises in marketing, consulting, assembly, installation and servicing of docking equipment.