If political commentators are to be believed, 2016 is the year that proves anything is possible. “Prepare for everything – leave nothing to chance” has long been the mantra of the logistics manager; but at a time when businesses find themselves analysing the capacity of current operations, ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems asks the question: are you doing enough to prepare your loading bay equipment for anything?

Health and safety, security, ease of access, volume capacity and insulation: all are considerations for logistics managers. How efficiency is measured may vary in each business, but one statistic is universal: business benefits from well insulated and fully-functioning entrances operating at full capacity.

Preventive Maintenance Services If the goal is to ensure doors and dock levellers are perpetually ready for action, regular maintenance services must be the first port of call. Regular maintenance is the key to maximising lifespan, maintaining operational continuity and a long term investment in the prevention of system downtime.

Every industrial and high-performance high speed door has its own individual maintenance requirements. When designing a maintenance schedule, specialist advice should be sought. Factors, such as typical requirements for the door type or docking system and site specific variables should be examined. Generally, the number of planned preventive maintenance visits range from one to four annually. Regularity of use, operating conditions and the manual handling equipment used for loading should be considered, alongside the manufacturer’s guidance. Environmental considerations also play a part, with equipment in corrosive, windy, cold or humid facilities requiring a different schedule to those utilised in less demanding ambient stores.

Reducing Downtime

Professional maintenance at regular intervals is vital to keeping doors and levellers in working condition. Downtime, where systems are partially or completely unavailable for use, have direct and hidden costs. Industrial doors manufactured by reputable companies are designed to be robust and can cope with challenging environments and heavy usage. However, in the absence of regular maintenance, moving parts will wear over time. A breakdown at some point is inevitable if neglected. Where breakdowns do occur, the fastest possible response and resolution is vital.

Reactive call-outs, to repair systems to full working order, are usually more expensive than scheduled visits. Businesses are advised to assess potential suppliers on engineer location, ease of contact, access to original manufacturer parts and safety practices.

Around the Clock Repair

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems operate the UK’s largest national network of company employed and trained door and dock maintenance specialists. More than ninety engineers deliver their 24 hour care programme of preventive and reactive maintenance services across the UK & Ireland. Should equipment fail, regional engineering teams attend site in order to ensure continuity of customer operations.

Wherever possible, the aim is to achieve a resolution at the first call. UK Managing Director, Rob Flinn, was quick to stress the investment in this area during 2016. “We deliver first time fix levels which set the standard for the industry. We’ve refurbished our fleet of maintenance vehicles to maximise the volume of spare parts carried by each technician, so we’re more prepared than ever to fix at the first call.”

Modernisation Services

Modernisation is a fast way to improve performance of an existing system. In 2016 the company introduced 45 simple to implement modernisation kits for retrofitting to industrial doors and loading bays to enhance performance.

Modernisation kits help end-users meet specific business requirements for:

• Safety

• Security

• Operator convenience

• Cost-saving

• Sustainability and energy-efficiency

• Aesthetics

• Automation for remote activation

Specialist regional account managers conduct site-specific surveys to assess the feasibility of a modernisation solution or design to specific requirements.

Health and Safety

Automated doors and dock levellers are machines, and like all machines with moving parts, require regular maintenance to perform safely. Interpretations of legislation vary, but ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems work consistently to the highest British and European maintenance standards. BS EN 13241-1, which outlines the legislative requirements surrounding doors, EN1398 for Dock Levellers, and CE marking to conform to the industrial machinery directive as applicable.

In 2015/16 significant investment in the ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems training excellence centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire echoes their commitment to safety. The company delivers year-round training courses for industrial door and dock leveller technicians, covering practical sessions and theory coaching to ensure a comprehensive understanding in line with legislative requirements.

Maintenance Agreements

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, the UK’s largest supplier of industrial doors and loading bay services, are urging all businesses to review maintenance practices and ensure their ongoing suitability. Their specialists offer site-specific advice via consultation. To arrange a maintenance consultation for your operation, contact the Industrial maintenance team directly.

ASSA ABLOY

0333 006 3443 (option 2)

service.uk.aaes@assaabloy.com

www.assaabloyentrance.co.uk

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