Loading Dock Seals and Shelters

Sealing systems such as dock seals and shelters are a relatively low-cost investment that offer significant benefits in energy cost savings and loading dock safety. By enclosing the gap between the trailer and the dock door, parked trailers become secure, climate-controlled extensions of your facility. The right sealing system prevents outside weather (heat, cold, rain/snow) from entering your facility and damaging cargo. In addition to reducing heating and cooling costs, you maintain a clean, dry dock area and reduce the chance of a slip-and-fall accident. An enclosed dock area also means pests and vermin stay outside where they belong.

Learn more about the different options for loading dock sealing systems:

There are two basic styles of sealing systems:

Compression Foam Dock Seals: This style is made of fabric covered foam and are mounted to the facility wall at the loading dock. They are designed to seal against the back of the trailer.

Truck Shelters: Truck Shelters are designed to allow the trailer to back through either a rigid or flexible frame equipped with curtains. As the back of the truck passes through the opening, the shelter curtains extend and seal against the wall and rear of the trailer.

Both styles use abrasion-resistant fabrics on their sealing surfaces to allow for trailer movement during the loading and off-loading process. Different thicknesses/weights of fabric can provide additional strength for high-volume applications.

NOVA Dock Seals and Shelters

TMH carries dock seals and shelters from NOVA including the FP series, FPH series, RF series, and SS Series and the rain deflector.

NOVA FP Series Dock Seal: uses a foam-filled head pad and side pads to provide a tight, energy-efficient seal between the trailer and dock wall.

Designed for door openings up to 9' wide x 9' high
Includes brass grommets with spur washers for venting and full-height yellow guide stripe

NOVA FPH Series Dock Seal: features a hood-style head curtain in place of a head pad with fiberglass stays and metal pipe in the fabric hood for easy service and to maintain support.

Designed for door openings up to 9' wide x 9' high
Hood drop can be customized to accommodate the truck heights at your dock

NOVA RF Series Dock Shelter: features high wear-resistant fabric with double lock-stitched seams, bottom corner draft pads and standard 36" drop head curtain with fiberglass stays, protective corner reinforcement pleats and wind retention straps.

15" yellow guide stripe comes standard
Designed for door openings up to 12' wide x 12' high and higher

NOVA SS Series Soft Sided Dock Shelter: offers maximum dock protection and full access to trailers while minimizing pressure on the building wall. The SS Dock Shelter offers greater tolerance to off-center impacts from trucks. Utilizing foam side pads in its construction, it is capable of compressing and bending out of the way of a truck which fails to properly align with the doorway, preventing costly repairs.

Designed for door openings up to 12' wide x 12' high
Raked header with translucent fiberglass top provides natural light and permits water drainage

NOVA RD-Series Rain Shelter: provides an excellent barrier to water runoff from the top of trailers , especially in declined docks.

Mounts onto pre-installed seals and shelters, or combine with a new seal/shelter for a seamless product
Covers truck heights ranging from 11’6″ to 13’6″ even on the same dock
Standard projection is 20″ beyond seal/shelter, up to 48″ total projection available

Make an informed decision...
Proper selection of the style and size of your loading dock sealing system is the most important aspect of your project. Improper selection may result in poor installation, product damage, decreased productivity and monetary loss.

Consulting an experienced product rep will ensure the style and make-up of your system meets the requirements of your site, trailer and dock traffic and ensures you get the maximum benefit of your investment. We would appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Contact us online or by phone.

Bay Area (Livermore) (510) 473-8151
Fresno (559) 834-9500
Sacramento (916) 376-0500
Salinas (831) 757-1091

Further Reading