Dock fires are a larger threat than previously realized, according to Paul Rowlett, president of dock seal supplier Frommelt Products Corp.  Since July 2001, the company has documented more than 80 dock seal fire incidents. The fires were caused when hot-running over-the-road trailer lights were compressed against any make and model of compression-style foam dock seals. Furthermore, Frommelt suspects "that the number of undocumented fires caused by this phenomenon is likely to be substantially higher than company-reported incidents." As a result, the dock seal supplier has initiated discussions with the National Fire Protection Association about exploring this problem on a broad scale.

At the same time, Frommelt is now offering free inspections of compression-style foam dock seals to detect signs of trailer marker light damage. Rowlett says the company has also increased its efforts to market and distribute its line of Firefighter heat-dissipating technology, which it says "is the only fire-resistant solution available that can prevent ignition of seals" that come in contact with trailer lights. Head and side pads as well as head curtains are available with the technology.