The Brakes group was able to both save money and reduce energy use in their chilled warehouse, by adding loading bay equipment from ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems to their docking bays.

The Brakes Brothers Food Group added a sustainable new-built distribution centre in Glasgow, Scotland to their chilled distribution network. The facility is kept at a constant temperature of 4 degrees Celsius, and before settling on a docking solution an investigation into facilitating substantial reductions in energy usage was undertaken. Preventing avoidable energy loss through doors and dock levelers was one of the deciding factors.

In direct collaboration with Brakes' property management, a custom made solution was created, where standard square sectional doors were adapted into a T-shape, with the added bottom section sitting in front of the dock leveler - rather than on top of it.

Additional insulated panels below the dock leveller totally seal the pit area underneath when doors are closed, keeping the whole leveller inside the building at chilled temperature, resulting in in substantial energy savings.

70mm thick panels were used for all sectional doors instead of the industry standard 42mm, and inflatable dock shelters create a tight seal around docked trailers while brush seals - fitted around the dock leveler - minimize thermal losses when doors are open and in use.

High-performance doors were fitted behind the sectional doors on the level access doors. The fast-acting fabric high-performance doors allow the frequent access of fork lift trucks into the building during the day, keeping energy losses to a minimum. At night the sectional doors are closed optimising insulation.