Matching the Old to the New: Installing A Lightweight Sliding Door

Amber Doors were recently asked to manufacture and install a lightweight sliding door to match a customer's existing door on site. You can see from the image below the style of the existing door:

We began by removing the cladding panels, brickwork and the spotlight to form the new opening - you can see this by the position of the chimney and air conditioning unit where the new door now sits. 

In the photograph above and opposite you can see the old and new sliding doors side by side.

To find out more about this project or to make an enquiry about carrying out similar projects at your workplace, please visit the Amber Doors website or call us on 0121 565 6161.

Amber Doors - Proud Sponsors of Boldmere St Michaels Youth Football Team

At Amber Doors & Loading Bay Services Ltd we are very proud to sponsor Boldmere St Michaels Youth Football Team.

We'd like to wish all of the boys the very best of luck in their upcoming games and please watch this space for more updates from the team.

Take A Look At How We Refurbished A Loading Bay Leveller

Here at Amber Doors we are pleased to show you how we recently saved a client a huge sum of money by refurbishing rather than replacing their loading bay leveller.  Whilst other companies may have advised the client to unnecessarily replace the leveller for a high price, we were able to remove the existing leveller whilst we refurbished the pit and leveller.  Not only that, our skilled team then replaced the complete platform deck before installing the leveller back into the pit. 

Feel free to take a look at how we did it, by clicking here:

For further information feel free to give us a call on 0121 565 6161 or visit the Amber Doors website. 

Loading Bay Solutions From Amber Doors

At Amber Doors we are proud to say that we install and maintain loading bays for a number of high profile retail clients, including the Bullring, Michelin Tyres, Mango, Guess, Vans and North Face.  Our clients trust that we will design and install the most appropriate loading bay for their individual needs, and once our team have installed the equipment, we’ll also make sure we carry out regular maintenance checks to ensure everything is working as it should.

Loading bays are notoriously dangerous working environments, and are often the highest risk area within a warehouse.  It’s vital that loading bay equipment is only used by properly trained staff, and that it is also maintained regularly so as to reduce the risk of accident and breakages.  Whilst our loading bays are manufactured to a very high standard, it is inevitable that at some point a fork lift truck may accidently knock into the dock house or a lorry may reverse too far into the bay, causing substantial damage.  Any damage ought to be repaired as soon as possible to make sure the bay is working to its optimal level.

Why should I choose Amber Doors when purchasing a new loading bay?

·         We design and manufacture all of our own products, so if you need a bespoke loading bay solution please let us know as we can create a product to suit your needs.

·         Our expert team will also fit the loading bay equipment for you at a time to suit you.  We’re aware that loading bays are very busy areas which have high volumes of traffic so we will ensure that we carry out the installations at a time to suit you.

·         Once the equipment has been installed, we will put together a service plan to make sure your loading bay is inspected at a regular basis so as to reduce the risk of serious damage.  If the equipment is damaged at any point, we also offer an emergency service to carry out loading bay repairs.

·         We’ve been in the business for over 20 years, so we’ve seen all shapes and sizes of loading bays!  Our team are fully qualified and have a vast amount of experience, meaning that you are in safe hands when choosing us to install your loading bays.

To find out more about our services and products, feel free to visit the Amber Doors website.

Keep Workers Safe – Follow Our Loading Bay Safety Tips

Workers based in warehouses are usually au fait with operating and using loading bays, but for people who are new to the game, here are our top tips for using a loading bay safely:

·         First of all – adequate training needs to be given to all members of staff who will be using the loading bay.  It may seem obvious, but a lack of knowledge and relevant training can be one of the largest causes of accidents.  Ensure that all personnel are given full training by a relevant member of staff as part of their induction to the role.

·         It’s not just staff who will require training on how to use a particular loading bay, but delivery drivers will also need to understand how the traffic management system works for a specific factory or warehouse.

·         Follow strict guidelines.  Instructions on how to use the loading bay should be displayed near to the door operation system as a reminder for staff or visitors to the warehouse.  This can help to reduce expensive damage to equipment and will also help to reduce the risk of accidents.

·         When installing brand new loading bay equipment to a warehouse, it’s vital that the equipment meets the relevant standards and is also fitted correctly.  Only experienced installers should be hired to fit the equipment, which should have been measured accurately to ensure the correct dimensions are used.

·         Of course, ongoing maintenance is essential.  Loading bays inevitably get knocked by forklift trucks and other vehicles, and are often areas of high traffic.  Their constant, repetitive use can mean that parts can become worn out, so regular maintenance checks are essential to ensure the equipment works effectively and is not putting workers at risk. 

Provided loading bays are used in a safe manner and care is taken to reduce damage to the equipment, the life span of a well-built loading bay can be fairly long.  Managers may find they struggle to find the time to train new staff to use equipment properly, but it is important to remember that training time should be seen as an investment and can help not only to increase the life span of the loading bay, but can also significantly reduce the risk of a nasty accident in the workplace.

To find out more about loading bays, feel free to take a look at the Amber Doors website, as we manufacture and install a wide range of loading bay equipment across the UK and beyond.

Zip Door Safe Edge Video Demonstration from Amber Doors

Take a look at our latest video which demonstrates how our Zip Door Safe Edge operates.  As you can see, if the door detects an obstruction it will simply reopen so as not to cause accidental damage.  Although the door itself is made from a flexible material, it is incredibly durable and will help to insulate the warehouse or factory.  

These Zip Doors are ideal for workplaces which have a high level of traffic and are for either internal or external use.  

Further details will be coming to the Amber Doors website soon.

Amber Doors Catch Up With The Latest Door News From The DHF

Amber Doors employees like to keep their fingers on the pulse by keeping up to date with the latest industry news.  The team have been invited to attend the DHF Industrial Door Group Meeting on 12 June 2014, where they will hear about the latest in DHF Quality Assured Standards plus news on the European Door and Shutter Federation. 

The Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) present the key players in the powered doors industry and currently has around 280 members, including Amber Doors.  The meeting is due to take place at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire and is aimed at providing members with an opportunity to share information and knowledge with fellow technical specialists.  Kevin Snook will deliver a presentation on Building Information Modelling before Michael Skelding, DHF General Manager and Secretary, provides delegates with an update on CE marking under the CPR.

The Amber Doors team are also looking forward to attending the DHF 2014 Gala Dinner which is due to take place in October 2014.  The evening has been organised to allow members and guests of the DHF to socialise and network, before enjoying a lavish meal.  Peter Shilton, ex-England goalkeeper, will be on hand to provide after dinner entertainment and guests will also be able to enjoy illusions carried out by Graham Jolley, who has performed in Las Vegas.

Attendance at these events are strictly by invitation only, and the Amber Doors team are looking forward to networking with fellow members of the doors industry.  The team will be able to catch up with the latest developments within door technology before sharing the information with the rest of the Amber Doors company.

To find out more about the products which Amber Doors have to offer, including traditional roller shutter doors and turbo roll high speed doors, feel free to visit their website.

Maintaining A Safe and Efficient Warehouse Environment

Warehouses are complex industrial operations.  They enable the storage and distribution of products but in order to do this effectively they need to be run safely and securely.  Fire and theft are two of the major threats to the efficient running of a warehouse environment, particularly when storing flammable or high cost goods.

Here are some of the main security issues you may encounter when running a warehouse:

Fire Risk From Flammable Products

If your warehouse stores flammable goods then the risk of fire will be very high.  Remember that it is not just the obvious fire risk products such as gas that you need to worry about but also other highly flammable materials such as paper – which are easy to ignite and will quickly cause a lot of damage.  The best way to reduce the risk of fire is to install industrial fire resistant doors such as shutters or fire curtains.  These products are not only resistant to fire damage but will also help to minimise the spread of fire.

Security Risks

There are always security risks with warehouses as thieves know these buildings are used to store high volumes of goods.  If these goods are also high value, they may attract more of this unwanted attention. In order to protect their clients’ goods, warehouses will need to install security systems such as CCTV, security lighting and secure doors.  Products such as security grilles on ground level windows also provide a popular way for warehouses to prevent break-ins.

Lack of staff training

If staff are inadequately trained in any aspect of the warehouse operations it leaves the building more vulnerable to security risks such as fire and theft.  Staff should be trained to the appropriate level for any machinery and equipment they must operate in the course of their day to day work and this will include understanding how to effectively and safely open and close industrial roller shutter doors.

No health and safety procedures

Warehouses present an environment where accidents may occur due to the fact that there are a lot of people moving around, using machinery and vehicles such as fork lift trucks.  Health and Safety procedures need to be in place at all times and staff should be made aware of these procedures on their induction.

To find out more about how industrial and fire resistant doors can help you maintain a safe and secure warehouse environment please visit the Amber Doors website.  

Top Questions Asked By Amber Doors’ Customers

Here at Amber Doors we get asked all sorts of questions on a daily basis.  But here’s a list of some of the most frequently asked questions:

What capacity is the leveller?

The leveller generally would be 6000kg but we can go to 9000kg and even 12000kg if required (the last two options would obviously be more expensive).

Can you repair existing Cylinders (RAMS)?

Generally yes we can.  What normally happens is that the leveller is hit by the lorry and this will break the seals or bend the rod or even both.  We keep certain designs of rams in stock so that we are able to replace them and then get the damaged ram repaired.  However, if it is not a standard item then the ram would have to be removed from site in order to allow repairs to take place.  This then leaves the leveller out of action.

Can you repair hoses?

Unfortunately no, when a hose is damaged it has to be replaced.  We do have our own swager which enables us to make replacement hoses up to suit most applications.

How often does the leveller need to be serviced?

It is dependent on the site conditions and the wear and tear that the leveller receives, generally a service should take place as a minimum every six months.

The leveller will only travel up slowly then just drops, even if you hit the stop button.

The leveller is losing oil pressure, therefore either there is a split hose or the power pack is damaged (you would normally be able to tell as there will be oil visible in the pit).

Can I have just have the bumpers replaced?

Yes.  There are various different types of bumper available with different types of protective plates plus fixed or sliding back plates.

Can you repair the shelter that has been hit?

We would need to see it and advise accordingly, but if the damage is too excessive generally it is more financially viable to replace it.  However, if the shelter is an inflatable and it was just a split in the air bag, we can usually repair this with patchwork kit.

Can you refurbish my leveller rather than replacing it?

Yes we can generally refurbish anything but again, a site visit would be required to advise accordingly.

Is it just straight guides that you do?

No, there are options available with straight and cranked guides available.

Can you link the traffic light with the shelter so that the driver doesn’t drive away with the shelter still inflated?

Yes, the leveller/door and shelter can all be linked in with the traffic lights.

If you have a question for Amber Doors and you can’t see the answer on this FAQ blog post, feel free to visit our website or give us a call on 0121 565 6161.