Quality begins with the best raw materials – virgin LLPDE resin for the outer shell and virgin EPS foam for the low water absorbing fill -and continues with time-tested manufacturing processes backed by rigid quality standards and a goal of exceeding industry standard tests. The result is the highest quality Premier float that delivers a 40 year life expectancy and the best ROI for your flotation investment.

The structural integrity and performance of flotation is compromised when resins or foam containing regrind materials or any off-spec materials are used. A float made with these less expensive materials often fails basic structural integrity tests such as the ASTM D1998-04 Falling Dart Test and the 7-Day Hunt Water Absorption Test.

Despite all quality processes in place, using less than virgin materials makes it very difficult to manufacture floats with the uniformity of outer shell, foam fill and buoyancy that you can depend on to support your dock system for the next 40+ years. Premier delivers on its promise of uniform quality across its 60 + float sizes - we guarantee it!

Outer Shell Durability and ASTM D1998-04 Performance

The best dock float shell is one made of virgin polyethylene resin mixed with the correct level of UV inhibitor and carbon black.  Using “out of spec” resin, regrind and/or improper mixes of resin and UV Black can result in below minimum wall thicknesses, improper shell curing that leaves air bubbles in top 3" of the wall, and premature failures when stressed by impacts and loads.  That’s why all float makers should regularly test for wall thickness and impact resistance.  Impact resistance testing should be done as specified in ASTM D1998-04 Falling Dart Impact Test.

Premier's consistent and tested dock float wall thickness is 0.150” (0.381 cm) nominal. No spot in the dock float shell will be less than 0.125"(0.318 cm) at any point. That's why Premier dock floats exceed the ASTM Falling Dart Impact Test even when subjected to -20°F (-28.8°C)  testing temperatures.

The dock float shell is seamless so there are no weak weld points to fail. And, structural ribs on both the top and bottom deliver added strength and durability. External mounting flanges and slots are an integral part of each dock float design. You never have to penetrate the float body to attach a float to a floating dock frame; so you never compromise the dock float water tight integrity or introduce an unnecessary failure point. And installation is much faster and easier, as well. Use nut, bolt and washer combinations on steel and aluminum frames, and lag screws and washers on wood frame floating docks.

7-Day Hunt Water Absorption Test -
The Industry Standard

The water absorption characteristic of EPS foam in our dock floats is determined by quality standards and methods used to pre-expand the foam beads before filling the dock float shell and by closely monitoring the bead steaming process that expands the foam to form a void free solid block fill.

Low water absorption is important to the life of your floating dock system and absolutely important to floats that do not have watertight encasements.

Premier regularly tests its foaming results using the 7-Day Hunt Water Absorption Test. This test says that the foam should absorb less than
3 lbs/cu.ft over seven days to pass muster. Premier floats consistently measure around 1.0 to 1.3 lbs/cu.ft. with all points in the shell completely filled. You'll find no loose beads in a Premier float.

The dock float section on the left shows an incomplete foaming process where loose beads are visible. The voids in this float will absorb far more than 3.0 lbs/cu.ft and it is likely that some areas of the float will not have any foam.

Notice in the cutaway on the right that the foam surface is smooth with no visible beads. This foam has been properly steamed and will meet or exceed the 7-Day Hunt Water Absorption Test requirement.

Know What You're Paying For ... Buy Tank-Tested Buoyancy Rated Dock Floats Only

Accurate tank-tested buoyancy ratings are critical to achieving the design criteria for a floating dock or floating marina; and to know what you are paying per buoyancy pound delivered. 

For years dock floats have been purchased without accurate tank-tested buoyancy ratings. Published buoyancy ratings have been calculated based on the outside dimensions of the dock float shell only; and it turns out that the calculated rating for a float size can be up to 21% higher than its actual tank tested rating. So you may be paying for buoyancy pounds you’re not getting. So always ask for tank-tested buoyancy ratings when buying dock floats.

If you based your dock float buy on calculated buoyancies, the freeboard and the load carrying capacity of your docks could be 21% lower than the design goal. Here is an example of a small 14 slip dock section. Check out the variance in the number of floats needed for this project.

Dock Float Quantity and Buoyancy Comparison

Using a Typical 14 Slip Pier Design and Tank-Tested
Versus Calculated Buoyancy Ratings for Same Dock Float Size

Pier design consists of (1) 6’ by 125’ main walkway, (14) 3’ by 24’ fingers,
(2) 6’ by 24’ walkways to form 14 single boat slips 14’ wide by 24’ long.
Total ft²— 2046 -  Dead Load— 15 lbs/ft²  -  Live Load— 30 lbs/ft²            
Live + Dead— 92,070 lbs -   Frame height— 8”
 

Backed by a 15-Year Warranty, Exceeds USACOE Requirement
Confident with our tested dock float quality and field-tested design, Premier floats are backed by the only 15-year warranty that exceeds the USACOE regulation by providing 100% non-prorated replacement for the first 10 years...the best warranty in the industry.