Recent Dock Seal Fires
Recent Dock Seal Fires
New reports are received every month of unprotected dock seals burning due to the intense heat build-up from trailer marker lights. Many of the facilities below have now protected their docks by installing new dock seals with heat-dissipating Firefighter™ protection in the headers to prevent future fires from occurring.
Kentucky - Automotive Supplier
Loading dock fire occurred in November 2011. The fire spread to many adjacent dock positions before the fire department was able to put it out.
Cleveland, OH - Manufacturing FacilityFire occurred in the middle of the day. A truck pulled into the dock and left it running with the lights on while being loaded. After about 20 min., dock workers noticed smoke. They ran outside and had the trucker pull away from the dock, and the fire erupted. Fire department arrived, but workers had been able to extinguish flames before damage spread to adjacent positions.
Jackson, TN - Automotive Parts Supplier
Workers reported this fire broke out shortly after a trailer pulled away from the dock. Dock seal foam was likely smoldering for some time while trailer was in position with marker lights compressed into foam.
Milwaukee, WI - Aquatic Glass Company
Surveillance video indicates fire broke out moments after a truck pulled away from the dock after loading. Fire began in the header of one dock seal and quickly spread to adjacent docks.
Grants, NM - Grocery Store
Fire broke out at single dock position. Unfamiliar with the risk of burning due to the buildup of heat from trailer marker lights, store managers initially expected arson.
Lavonia, GA - Plastics Company
The entire dock seal destroyed and the surrounding building was damaged. Trucking company confirmed that the trailer that caused the fire had the style of marker lights that produce high heat when compressed into dock seals.
Walcott, IA - Large Equipment Tire Mounting Company
Severe damage to multiple dock positions, building and trailers resulted from fire initiating in dock seal.
Wallace, NC - Textile Mill
Dock workers smelled smoke; dock seal head pad ignited after trailer pulled out from dock. All eight dock seals at adjacent dock positions contained burn holes in head pads.
Wellington, OH - Auto Supplier
Several small fires have developed in head pads in recent months. Workers regularly smelled smoke after trailers pulled out from the dock and were able to extinguish the flames before more extensive damage occurred.