DECLINE & INCLINE APPROACHES

The grade of a driveway at a loading dock affects the recommended dock bumper and dock seal projection. This page is a simple guide to determining the proper requirements

 All recomendations are based on the percent of grade. to determine this use this formula:

% of grade = Rise divided by Length x 100
 

 "Rise" refers to the difference in elevation between the dock and a point (generally 45' to 50') in front of the dock.

"Length" refers to the actual distance on the driveway over which the rise is measured.

Decline Approaches
 Once the percentage of grade is determined, refer to the chart below for the dock bumper and dock seal projection recommendations:
 Percent of Grade  Bumper Projection Dock Seal-Top Dock Seal-bottom
 Level  4 "   10 "  10 "
 1 %  5 "   10 "  11 "
 2 %  6 "   10 "  12 "
 3 %  7 "   10 "  13 "
 4 %  8 "   10 "  14 "
 5 %  9 "   10 "  15 "
 6 %  10 "   10 "  16 "
 7 %  11 "   10 "  17 "
 8 %  12 "   10 "  18 "
 9 %  13 "   10 "  19 "
 10 %  14 "   10 "  20 "
 11 %  15 "   10 "  21 "
 12 %  16 "   10 "  22 "

Incline Approaches
 Since incline approaches slope away from the building, the dock bumper projection should remain at 4" but the dock seal projection still needs to be addressed. Once again, take the percentage of grade and refer to the chart below for projection recommendations;
 Percent of Grade   Bumper Projection  Dock Seal-Top  Dock Seal-bottom
 Level   4 "  10 "    10 "
 1 %   4 "  11 "    10 "
 2 %   4 "  12 "    10 "
 3 %   4 "  13 "    10 "
 4 %   4 "  14 "    10 "
 5 %   4 "  15 "    10 "
 6 %   4 "  16 "    10 "
 7 %   4 "  17 "    10 "
 8 %   4 "  18 "    10 "
 9 %   4 "  19 "    10 "
 10 %   4 "  20 "    10 "
 11 %   4 "  21 "    10 "
 12 %   4 "  22 "     10 "

How to Measure Decline & Incline Approaches

One of the most important measurements to be taken at a loading dock is the slope of the driveway. This ensures we can provide adequate dock bumper protection and taper foam pad seals to avoid over and under compression.

  Chalk Line & Level Method
 For this method, you are required to use an empty (without chalk) chalk line and line level. both these items can be purchaced in most hardware stores.
 Step 1 Measure the dock height and note it on your survey sheet.
 Step 2 Hook the end of your chalk line somewhere on the top of the dock.
 Step 3 Walk your chalk line out from the dock until you are 50' away from the loading dock.
 Step 4 Put the line level on the 50' mark on your line.
 Step 5 Level the line and measure the distance from your line to the ground. This will be the A dimension
 Step 6 Use the formulas below to calculate the rise or drop in the driveway.
 DECLINE (rise) = Dock Height - A
 INCLINE (rise) = A - Dock Height
 Step 7 Refer to the Charts above for the proper dock bumper and dock seal size

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