Balance Comfort and Safety this Summer

Most loading docks are not air conditioned, which increases the opportunity for excessive heat and strenuous working conditions. Dock staging areas also are expansive spaces with tall ceilings, making them hard to cool even if they are air-conditioned. Added to the challenge for any HVAC system is that dock doors frequently are opened and closed.

It especially is important to keep employees on the dock comfortable, because it's an inherently dangerous area and a fast-paced environment. A cooler dock will help employees remain alert, and studies have shown that more comfortable employees are more productive.

Fortunately, you don't have to look far to find equipment that will go a long way toward keeping employees cool, comfortable and safe during the hot summer months.

CREATING BETTER AIR MOVEMENT

High-volume/low-speed (HVLS) fans are a popular option for keeping employees cool at the dock and elsewhere in a facility. The large ceiling fans are considered a high-value, cost-effective solution to improve air movement and better overall environmental control.

HVLS fans primarily are used for cooling in spaces that are not air-conditioned and also can be used to supplement air movement in conditioned facilities. In winter, they gently move warm air near the ceiling back down toward the floor where it is needed. The air reaches the floor below the fan, where it then moves horizontally a few feet above the floor. The air eventually rises to the ceiling where it is cycled downward again. This mixing effect, called destratification, creates a much more uniform air temperature.

HVLS fans can be an alternative to traditional ceiling and industrial fans in situations where the workers are working far below a ceiling fan. High-speed floor fans can create a blast of wind for a relatively small area and can be disruptive depending on the type of work being done. Multiple floor fans also can increase the chance of mishaps involving equipment and electrical cords.

When the breeze from a fan reaches people, it creates an evaporative cooling effect and reduces the effective temperature by 10 to 12 degrees F. Technically advanced HVLS fans can move large volumes of air over an area up to 22,000 square feet. A single HVLS fan can replace as many as 10 to 20 floor fans.

In air-conditioned facilities, the breeze from an HVLS fan typically allows up to a 5 degree F increase in thermostat setting with no change in employee comfort. That equates to an electric bill savings of 4 percent for each degree, resulting in an annual savings of 20 percent.

ALLOWING FOR VENTILATION

For facilities without air conditioning, an obvious solution for keeping employees cool is to keep the dock doors open. But open doors are not always allowed for a variety of reasons, such as security and cleanliness. It's why some companies turn to modular sectional doors with specially engineered panels to facilitate ventilation.

A modular sectional door allows users to custom-design the door to match their unique operating environment. Some can be designed with ventilation panels, which can be opened and closed with a hinged cover. The panels facilitate airflow for improved employee comfort and air quality since fresh air and light is allowed in. At the same time, unauthorized personnel, bugs and debris are kept out. The panels typically are available in a variety heights and lengths.

Doors can be outfitted with panels that can flex up to 12 inches without damage. That means they easily withstand repeated incidental bumps by forklifts and their loads, which minimizes the need to replace damaged door panels or the entire door.

Panels also can be equipped with translucent slats that allow natural light into the dock area. These slats can reduce energy costs while improving productivity and safety.