Loading dock seals

As part of a larger building expansion project, the North Carolina
Museum of Art in Raleigh, NC is in the process of designing an
addition to its existing collections management area.  The addition
will add much needed art storage space,  as well as improvements to
art receiving, collections management, design production and
conservation.  Originally discussed was the addition of a new fully
enclosed loading dock which would accommodate the largest art truck.
After the inevitable budget cuts and resultant reduction in square
footage to the addition, we began to consider dock seals as a space
saving alternative to the traditional enclosed loading dock.  With
this design, to unload art the truck would back up to an exterior
roll down door with a fabric dock seal.  The seal is designed to
contact the back of the truck, preventing loss of environmental
control to the building.  Because the truck never enters the
building, diesel exhaust fumes remain outside.

I would welcome comments from collections management staff who have
experience with this type of system.  Are they efficient at sealing
out the elements while preventing loss of environmental control to
the building?  Do they hold up after years of use with reasonable
maintenance?  Are they practical and secure to use?  Can you
recommend a specific type, model, or manufacturer?  In your opinion,
is this an acceptable alternative to a fully enclosed loading dock?

William P. Brown
Chief Conservator
North Carolina Museum of Art
919-664-6812


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:25
                Distributed: Thursday, November 10, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-19-25-016
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