Overview
The Series 1600 WeatherGuard Header provides unmatched protection to the loading dock area from rain, snow, sleet, hail, and wind. WeatherGuard is ideal when the drive approach slopes toward the dock opening, causing rain water to funnel into the dock area, affecting employee comfort and damaging cargo. When other seals and shelters let water in through the gap above the truck, the WeatherGuard shuts it out with a spring-loaded, foam-filled pivoting head member that conforms to the top of every vehicle and creates a watertight seal on contact.
The exclusive pivoting head member of the WeatherGuard unit automatically adjusts to the height of the vehicle when positioned at the dock. When the vehicle is in position, the helical torsion springs of the pivoting head member provide consistent tension force over the width of the unit while ensuring the foam head member conforms to the top of the trailer, creating a watertight wiper seal.The header is offered as a complete package or as a retrofit to existing seals and shelters.The Series 1600 WeatherGuard will accommodate conventional dock seals, "L" pads, soft-sided shelters, and even rigid frame shelters — providing a custom fit for your loading dock application requirements. The Fairborn Series 1600 WeatherGuard can also be retrofitted into existing competitor units to improve and enhance truck sealing effectiveness.
Features and Benefits
The structural galvanized steel tubular head frame with welded joints provides substantial support for snow loads. The head member is raked from the center to ensure proper drainage to the exterior sides of the unit while eliminating the need for a building canopy to protect the dock enclosure and the loading dock area from inclement weather. The translucent fiberglass secured to the tubular steel head frame allows natural light to illuminate the loading dock area, enhancing the material handling operation. Helical torsion springs are spaced evenly along the pivoting head member to provide a consistent tension force along the entire width of the WeatherGuard. The pivoting head member is spring biased to ensure the foam head pad conforms to the top of the vehicle, creating a watertight seal.
Independent Dyna-Armor pleat assemblies are located at each top corner of the unit and provide maximum protection from abuse caused by protruding corners at the top rear portion of the vehicle. These pleat assemblies are designed to be easily replaceable to preserve the integrity of the head and side members. Side frames are constructed of select dimensional lumber of the highest grade, pressure treated and kiln dried before and after treating, with a formed steel frame available as an option. Polished aluminum trim angle perfects the exterior corner appearance. Cover fabric options include Dynalon and Dynaflex, with Dynalon warranted against the effects of weathering for five years, including sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), water (atmospheric precipitation), cold, and heat.
Applications
The Series 1600 WeatherGuard Header Seal is designed to prevent water infiltration, especially in dock approaches that slope towards the opening, ensuring dry and secure loading operations. Rain water is unable to penetrate the area between the Header Seal and the top of the vehicle — the water has no way to go except away from the loading opening, ensuring a safe and dry loading dock area during material handling operations. It is the right solution when other seals or shelters have failed to prevent water from entering the dock from above, or when a dock is being upgraded specifically to address weather-related damage.
- Docks with sloped drive approaches where rain or snowmelt runs toward the dock opening — the primary and most common use case
- Operations that have experienced water damage to cargo during loading and unloading in wet weather conditions
- Existing dock seal and shelter installations in need of a retrofit upgrade to solve a persistent water infiltration problem at the head position
- Facilities with frequent precipitation exposure — including outdoor distribution centers, food and beverage facilities, and manufacturing plants where wet docks affect product integrity
- High-volume docks where maintaining a safe, dry loading environment directly impacts worker safety and operational uptime
- Any dock currently using a conventional seal, L-pad, soft-sided shelter, or rigid frame shelter that needs enhanced weather protection at the top of the door opening
Selection Assistance
The Series 1600 WeatherGuard is not a replacement for your dock seal or shelter — it works with the system you already have. The WeatherGuard will accommodate conventional dock seals, "L" pads, soft-sided shelters, and even rigid frame shelters, and can also be retrofitted into existing competitor units. Before specifying this unit, confirm your door height and width, drive approach grade, incoming vehicle height range, and whether your current dock seal or shelter will remain in place.
If you're building a new dock installation from scratch and need both perimeter sealing and weather protection, Barron's team can help you determine whether the WeatherGuard works as a standalone package or in combination with a dock seal. Barron Equipment's team of service technicians has been installing dock seals and shelters for over 43 years. Our experts can replace old seals with new ones or install new seals on openings that have not previously had dock seals. Along with installation, our team is experienced with repairing all types of dock seal equipment. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.