Dock Levellers Case Study

FP McCann’s Vehicle Docking and Prowall System installed at Milton Keynes high-tech distribution facility

Site: Magna Park, Milton Keynes

Contractor: Readie Construction

Client: IDI Gazeley

Products Supplied: Precast concrete dock leveller pits and stonehenge prowall panels

fpmccann.co.ukFor further information on FP McCann’s precast concrete dock levellers, contact the team at Weston Underwood on 01335 361269.

FP McCann’s specialist precast concrete installation team is undertaking the build of a multi-vehicle docking system on a brand new 574,000 ft2 distribution centre in Milton Keynes.

Logistics and warehouse developer IDI Gazeley has appointed Readie Construction as main contractor on the Magna Park project.

When operational in February 2018, it will feature a number of state-of-the-art capabilities such as electric vehicle charging with power generated from solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems and SMART LED lighting.

The new warehouse will provide HGV loading via dock leveller ramps from 117 double dock doors and eight level access doors. Each dock leveller ramp is fully supported by a precast concrete dock leveller pit. The precast pits are formed from a combination of perimeter retaining walls, yard retaining walls and biscuit slabs. The biscuit slab spans from the front wall to the rear retaining wall to form an opening for the dock leveller ramp to sit in. These panels form a continuous precast structure for multiple pit installations. The 117 pits each measure 2.00 metres wide, 3.50 metres long and 1.20 metres high. Above the dock leveller pits are 464 linear metres of insulated stonehenge prowall panels. The stonehenge prowall system consists of separate insulated wall panels and cross beams which allows for higher door openings to accommodate all European vehicle heights.

Each panel is supplied and installed complete with 2nr 3.50m x 2.75m openings for access. The

fitting of the dock leveller pits and insulated panels for the Magna Park project are being completed by FP McCann’s specialist fitting team over a 7 week period.

Transported from the company’s Byley facility in Cheshire, dock leveller pits together with the large stonehenge prowall panels are being delivered to site on a ‘just in time’ delivery schedule. Once on site, the walls and panels are lifted from the vehicles and placed directly into position in one single and safe operation. The fixers then secured the panels to the building’s steel frame.

Commenting on the insulated prowall and dock leveller pit construction, Gary Purr, project manager for Readie Construction says, “This precast concrete system lends itself in particular to a safe, speedy and very efficient build. FP McCann’s fixing team are fully versed in this docking system and their working method complements the Readie site construction methods and practices. Utilisation of the FP McCann precast docking system dramatically reduces the installation time when compared to a more traditional build. Off-site manufacture in a factory controlled environment also improves the quality of the finished building and reduces risks associated with health and safety and weather factors”.