Tech Apprentice

A complete guide to eliminating light at the loading dock. Mike smith. June, 2026 At the loading dock, light is more than just light. If you can see daylight around your dock doors, outside air and contaminants are entering your facility. Every gap around a dock door can lead to energy loss, pest intrusion, dust contamination, moisture infiltration, and sanitation concerns. In food processing, cold storage, manufacturing, and distribution facilities, even small openings can create significant operational challenges. Many facilities focus on sealing the top and sides of the trailer. However, true environmental control requires sealing every opening - including the often-overlooked space beneath the leveler. RDC helps customers develop complete dock sealing strategies that eliminate light, reduce air infiltration, and improve environmental control. Here are 11 ways to eliminate gaps throughout your loading dock operation. 1. Seal the fourth dimension on vertical levelers (new product alert!). One of the most challenging dock gaps to address is the area beneath a vertical-storing dock leveler. Fortunately, Rite-Hite recently introduced the PitMaster(R) Vertical, the industry's only full-time, pit-mounted under-leveler seal designed specifically for traditional vertical dock leveler applications. Key benefits: * Reduces airflow, dust, pests, and debris infiltration * Improves energy efficiency by creating a dead-air cavity beneath the leveler * Supports sanitation and compliance initiatives, including FSMA, USDA, and GFSI programs * Integrates with existing dock sealing systems 2. Seal the fourth dimension on pit-style levelers. For conventional pit-style dock levelers, the PitMaster(R) X Under-Leveler Seal helps eliminate a major source of energy loss. Without an under-leveler seal, the front of the dock leveler pit remains exposed to outdoor conditions, allowing air infiltration and continuous heat transfer through the steel leveler deck. * Reduces energy loss * Creates a thermal barrier beneath the leveler * Works with or without a trailer present * Backed by a money-back customer satisfaction guarantee 3. Gaps beside the bumpers? Eliminate them with custom filler pads. The area beside dock bumpers is a common source of unwanted air infiltration and pest entry. RDC's custom filler pad solutions are designed to close these stubborn gaps and create a tighter seal around your loading dock, helping keep conditioned air in and contaminants out. 4. Gaps above the bumpers? Seal the "un-sealable" Many facilities accept the gap above and behind dock bumpers as unavoidable. It isn't. RDC offers custom solutions including Lip Corner Seals and Bumper Topper Seals specifically engineered to seal these difficult-to-address areas and eliminate another source of energy loss and contamination. 5. What's the best door seal for a dock door? There are many sealing options available, but if the goal is eliminating light and closing irregular gaps, brush seals are often the most effective solution. Thousands of flexible bristles conform to the contours of the door, creating a superior seal compared to many traditional materials. For additional protection and durability, some brush seals are available with integrated nylon inserts. If you can see light, a properly selected brush seal can often eliminate it. 6. Create a complete door top and bottom seal strategy. Partial sealing leads to partial results. Rite-Hite's complete lineup of Gap Sealer(R) bottom seals, combined with perimeter brush seals, can create a full seal between the dock door and floor. Specialized options are even available to help deter rodents and pests. For top-of-door protection, RDC recommends a dual-seal approach: * Brush perimeter seals around the door opening * A dedicated top seal mounted directly to the top door panel This layered strategy provides superior protection against air infiltration and daylight gaps. 7. Seal your dock leveler on every side. Many facilities address only the most visible dock leveler gaps. With solutions such as the Rite-Hite NB1 Kit, it's possible to seal the sides and rear of the dock leveler, significantly reducing airflow and contaminant intrusion throughout the pit area. 8. Don't forget the small gaps. The smallest openings often create the biggest challenges. Areas such as the following can all contribute to energy loss and contamination risks: * Lanyard cup openings * Gaps beneath dock doors * Exposed hinge areas * Miscellaneous leveler penetrations These unique challenges often require customized solutions, and RDC has the experience to identify and address even the most difficult dock sealing opportunities. 9. Achieve a total Eclipse around the trailer. Creating a consistent seal around every trailer type can be difficult, especially when fleets vary in size and configuration. The Rite-Hite Eclipse(R) Dock Shelter is designed to provide a tight seal along the trailer sides, top, and corners using a single integrated solution. The result is improved environmental control, reduced energy loss, and enhanced protection from outside contaminants. 10. What about birds? Birds may be welcome outdoors, but they don't belong in your dock shelters. Bird activity around loading docks can create sanitation concerns, facility damage, and product contamination risks. RDC can evaluate your existing dock seal or shelter configuration and determine whether bird barrier solutions can be incorporated to help discourage nesting and roosting. 11. Add another layer of protection with air curtains. For facilities with strict sanitation requirements, employee comfort concerns, or temperature-sensitive environments, air curtains can provide an additional layer of environmental control. Air curtains create a powerful air barrier that helps keep conditioned air inside while preventing outside air, insects, and contaminants from entering. * Reduce heating and cooling losses by up to 90% while maintaining forklift traffic flow. * Estimated annual savings of approximately $1,200 for an 8' x 10' dock door. * Estimated annual savings of approximately $1,300 for a 12' x 12' ramp door. * Ideal for chilled docks, food processing facilities, and high-GMP environments. Complete dock sealing is possible. A fully sealed loading dock isn't just a goal - it's achievable. Use this checklist to evaluate your current dock environment, identify areas for improvement, and develop a plan to eliminate every possible gap. By addressing all sources of light, airflow, pests, and contaminants, facilities can improve energy efficiency, strengthen sanitation programs, and create a safer, more controlled operation.

Rite-Hite acquires Johnson Equipment. Milwaukee-based material handling system manufacturer Rite-Hite Holding Corp. has acquired Johnson Equipment Co. Based in Dallas, Johnson Equipment has 300 employees at 15 regional offices in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Mexico. The Johnson Equipment sales and service offices become part of a Rite-Hite network of company-owned distribution locations serving customers in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Customers of Johnson Equipment will continue receiving the same service and support from the team they know. "We plan to take a thoughtful approach to integrating our businesses so we can capitalize on the best of both organizations," said Dan Anderson, president of global distribution at Rite-Hite.