Background
SLG Southern are based in Portsmouth. They were experiencing issues with water damaging their products and packaging during poor weather. Water coming into the warehouse was also making the floor slippery, creating an unsafe environment for staff loading and unloading vehicles.
The requirement
To reduce these issues, SLG Southern wanted a loading bay canopy to protect goods and improve safety for their staff. The main objective was to prevent water damage and ensure a safety working environment for staff during periods of poor weather.
The challenge
During our standard initial site visit, it was evident that due to the size of the loading bay doors, we would need to come up with a customised solution. The main challenge was the large spans of the loading bay doors coupled with their height. Traditional support methods would have obstructed the doors, so we needed to come up with a unique solution.
The solution
We proposed the Connekt loading bay canopy system with a unique ‘p vert’ design. This cantilevered system allowed the canopy to span the distance across the door without supports blocking the doors. This innovative design used standard brackets with a ‘p’ projection, which reduced the overall unsupported span of the roofing sheets. This meant the canopy was fully supported against wind and snow loadings, requiring only two brackets – one on each side of the door.
Results
The installation was completed on time, in one day. The new canopy system effectively prevents water from entering the warehouse and damaging products, while also providing a safer working environment for staff. This project marks the first time the ‘p vert’ solution was used at this height and for this purpose, showcasing our ability to deliver solutions that are innovative and tailored to our customers’ unique needs.