One unique point about a warehouse loading dock comes from the entry points being off the ground. The doors and bays at a dock are about 46 to 52 inches off the ground on average. This height accommodates the general height of a truck and trailer bed as it backs up to the dock for unloaded or loading purposes.
Traditional doors leading into the warehouse loading dock will also be around 46 to 52 inches off the ground. You’ll require stairs leading from the outside to the dock door. REDD Team will help you get new stairs that will help people access your property. We can also produce your warehouse loading dock stairs with handrails to keep people safe.
How Are the Stairs Designed?
The layout of your aluminum warehouse loading dock stairs will vary based on your situation. There are a few parts in your steps that will help:
- The steps will feature treads of at least 9.5 inches in length, enough for an average person’s foot to fit.
- The steps will also have a rise of nine inches or less. A shorter rise should keep users from putting in more effort when climbing the steps.
- The total width of the steps should be greater than the width of the door. The steps should be at least three feet wide, although a wider size is best.
- A platform will go on the top part of the steps. The platform should be a few inches or feet wider than the door, plus there should be at least five feet of space between the door and the end of the steps.
- Small vents and openings can appear around the stairs. These spaces will keep rain and precipitation from building up.
How Are the Rails Handled?
The handrails on the sides are critical for everyone’s safety. Your loading dock stairs will require handrails that help people keep their balance while preventing falls or slips. Guardrails for the platform will also provide a secure spot that keeps people from slipping a few feet to the ground. These features are particularly vital in rainy conditions.
Your rails will include multiple features when you order them from us at REDD Team:
- The handrails will feature a suitable height of 34 to 38 inches, while the guardrails surrounding the platform will be higher at 42 inches.
- Small extensions will appear on the ends of the handrails. A 10 to 12-inch rounded extension should show on these parts.
- Added balusters can appear in the middle of the rails. These balusters should be a few inches apart from one another.
- All surfaces are reinforced to where they can handle 200 pounds of weight or more from any direction.
These features in your handrails and guardrails will keep everyone safe when using those steps. The aluminum materials in those rails are also smooth, so you won’t risk anything getting caught on their surfaces.
Our aluminum warehouse loading dock steps and rails will keep your setup safe for everyone. You can ask us at REDD Team about how we can produce top-quality steps and rails for your site. You can reach us online or by phone for help if you need assistance. We’re open online at reddteam.com, plus we’re available to ring at 800-648-3696 for support.
