If the building size warrants, a dock manager's room or
bulletins). Agency requirements for separate, dedicated
booth should be located so the manager can keep the
communication closets shall be verified.
entire dock area in view and control the entrance and exit
Vertical Shafts. Vertical shafts for running pipes, ducts
from the building.
and flues shall be located adjacent to other core elements
Loading docks must not be used as emergency egress
to the maximum extent possible. Be aware of the require-
paths from the building.
ment to locate fire alarm vertical risers remotely. Shafts
shall be straight vertical runs. Shafts shall be sized to
Loading Berths. Provide at least one off-street berth for
accommodate planned expansion of the systems. Shafts
loading and unloading. The berth should be 4600 mm (15
shall be closed at top and bottom, as well as at the
feet) wide and at least as long as the longest vehicle to be
entrance to the mechanical room, for sound isolation.
accommodated. Local zoning regulations or the architec-
tural program may require a longer length. The space
Loading Docks. Loading docks must be located for easy
should be located adjacent to the enclosed or open
access by service vehicles and must be separate from the
loading dock. If additional loading berths are required
main public entrances to the building. Loading docks
they need not be wider than 3600 mm (12 feet), as long as
must be convenient to freight elevators so that service
they are contiguous to the 4600 mm (15-foot) wide berth.
traffic is segregated from the main passenger elevator
lobbies and public corridors. Service route from dock
An apron space shall be provided in front of the loading
from elevator shall plan for the transport of large items
berth for vehicle maneuvering equal to the length of the
such as rolled carpet goods. Loading docks must accom-
berth plus 600 mm (2 feet). This area should be flat, with
modate the vehicles used to deliver or pick up materials
a minimum slope of 1:50 for drainage. The minimum
from the building. If the bed height of vans and trucks
headroom in the loading berth and apron space is 4600
varies more than 450 mm (18 inches), at least one loading
mm (15 feet). When a steeper slope is required in the
berth must be equipped with a dock leveler. The dock
apron area, the headroom should increase with a gradient
shall be protected with edge guards and dock bumpers.
allowance to allow trucks to traverse the grade change.
Open loading docks should be covered at least 1200 mm
If the approach to the loading dock is ramped, the design
(4 feet) beyond the edge of the platform over the loading
should permit easy snow removal.
berth. In cold climates dock seals should be used at each
loading bay. Alternatively, consideration could be given to
Staging Area. A staging area inside the building shall be
enclosing the entire loading bay.
provided adjacent to the loading dock. It must be
protected from the weather. The staging area shall not
Separate or dedicated loading docks should be considered
interfere with emergency egress from the building.
for food service areas.
A ramp should be provided from the loading dock down
Trash Rooms. Trash rooms shall be adjacent to loading
to the truck parking area to facilitate deliveries from small
docks or service entrances. Trash rooms must be sized to
trucks and vans. This ramp should have a maximum
accommodate the trash handling equipment required and
slope of 1:12 and comply with ABAAS, ensuring that it may
provide storage for packaged trash generated during a
be easily maneuverable for deliveries on carts and dollies.
three day occupancy of the building. Space shall be
69
ARCHITECTURAL
AND
INTERIOR
DESIGN
3.2
Space Planning
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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