If you operate any kind of facility with a shipping yard or loading bay area and you intend to use forklift ramps to load and unload freight from trucks, it is useful to know about various loading dock code requirements. At Dura-Ramp, we manufacture a wide assortment of different types of loading docks that meet all standards and requirements for the shipping and transportation industry.
Requirements for Loading Docks
If you are looking into getting set up with a loading ramp at your facility, it is worth being aware of the various loading dock requirements for your application and location. Although there are industry standards for forklift loading ramps that span across various regions, there are some regulations that will be specific to certain areas and industries. Knowing what kind of loads will be transported on the ramp, what kind of traffic it will support, where it will be stored, and what kind of vehicles for which it will be used to load and unload and help you get a setup that works for you. Some of the different loading dock requirements to be aware of include:
Loading Dock Height Requirements
Loading docks are able to be manufactured to almost any size in order to meet the needs of the facility in which they are being used. Many loading docks can even be manufactured with adjustable heights. If a loading dock is going to be primarily used to load and unload semi trucks, it will typically be manufactured to match the common deck height of a semi trailer, which can range from 44-48 inches tall. Refrigerated trailer beds are typically 50-60 inches tall, so docks being used for these trucks will often need to be adjusted to compensate for the difference in height.
Ramp Slope Requirements
Although the optimal slope for a forklift loading ramp is about 10 degrees, it is often necessary to adjust this due to space constraints.
Weight Requirements
Most loading ramps are used to support the weight of heavy cargo as well as vehicles, such as forklifts or, in many cases, automobiles. For this reason, the weight capacity of loading ramps can range depending on how it will be used. The minimum weight requirement for a forklift is typically between 15,000-25,000 pounds, but it is always best to exceed this requirement by as much as possible.
If you are interested in finding out more about loading dock code requirements and how our forklift ramps meet these standards, or if you would like to learn more about the services and products offered by Dura-Ramp, feel free to contact us by filling out a form on our website and we will get back to you as soon as we can or call us at (604)-795-9799.