Loading bay design optimised for DC
November 1st 2007

At 750,000 square feet Nimbus Park is the largest speculative distribution centre (DC) in the UK. When the decision was made as to which company to choose to install the door and docking systems, Tolent Construction, who worked in partnership with Helioslough, choose Crawford UK to fulfil the task

Anational UK company with a proven track record in the Loading Bay market and with the ability to provide a full package of equipment from one source was Tolent Construction's key requirement in terms of which company they were looking to specify. Crawford UK offered a design of logistics door, the Crawford 542 Overhead Sectional Logistics Door, which is optimised for high frequency usage, and incorporates a high level of security and safety characteristics.

Furthermore, in contrast to other vertical lift doors on the market, the 542's tracks are self supporting. This means that they only need the steelwork to extend one metre above the door height, instead of the three to four metres that is common in competitors' designs. As a result, savings can be made in terms of the additional steelwork required, particularly in multi-bay applications.

In addition it has its counterbalance springs fitted at low level and fixed directly to the tracks which means that Crawford have drastically reduced the amount of steelwork required to install the door. At Nimbus Park, in conjunction with the use of Bullivants Prowall system the door structural frame was omitted completely.

In total some 75 SME Dock Shelters and Dock Levellers, incorporating a 500 long swing lip and combination control panel were installed along with 75 Logistics doors.

But the supply and installation of the product wasn't the only key requirement for the project. A reliable and efficient after sales service providing both preventative maintenance and repair facilities on an ongoing basis was also a prerequisite. A Crawford Service Keys agreement has been put in place, giving the end user of the building direct access to the Crawford Service and Maintenance department and its 24 hour call out service. Should a problem occur, only one contact number is required to arrange service or repair for all the products on site.

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