When you start to look at the huge variety of clothes lockers that are available today, it can seem a little daunting finding out which one suits your needs best. Aren’t they basically all the same? A locker is just a locker, isn’t it?

The answer to both of those questions is ‘no’ of course! Buying clothes lockers is easy but buying the best type of locker can be anything but. Far too many companies have in the past made poor choices and ended up paying dearly for a rash purchase. There is good guidance available through the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) with particular emphasis under their welfare at work section.

It is fair to say that the old adage of 'you get what you pay for' is usually true. Having said that, there are many installations where an economy locker has proved perfectly suitable for certain requirements, particularly when usage is low and the storage requirement is basic. Attention to the aesthetics of a clothes locker room can be very important to the corporate/style image. Building your brand needn’t stop at the entrance lobby. A well turned out locker room can create a sense of pride for the workforce which can carry through into their work ethics.

There are a general set of questions that need to be answered at the onset of a clothes locker project, which can best summarised as follows:

1. What are you storing in these lockers or is there an element of the unknown?
2. Do you know what physical size of locker compartments you require?
3. How many individual compartments and complete lockers do you need?
4. What are the physical limitations of the area that you wish to place the lockers in?
5. What type of area is to be used to house the lockers ie: inside or outside of a building, communal or private area, wet or cold environments, limited access or public access areas?
6. What level of security do you require and do you have the knowledge of the value of the stored contents?
7. Are there any aesthetic considerations needed or do you require certain colour schemes?
8. What construction of locker do you want ie: mild steel, stainless steel or plastic?
9. Do you require key operated locks, padlock, combi-lock, electronic locks or any other type? How many people require access to a single locker?
10. Are any ancillary products required ie: bench seating, sloping tops, shoe racks, hanging racks, locker stands etc?
11. Will the lockers benefit from having charging sockets fitted for mobiles, tablets, laptops or electrical tools?
12. Will the contents of the locker need to be visible for security purposes or totally enclosed and private?
13. Do you have a set budget to work to?
14. Would you need the lockers bolted to the floor or to other lockers? Lockers can be supplied as 'banks' of lockers to minimise costs.
15. Will you require installation of lockers or placement in limited access areas?

Door options: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6

Vision panel lockers allow contents to be seen but remain safe

This is by far not an exhaustive list of considerations that need to be taken into account when choosing lockers, but it is a good starting point and illustrates just how difficult making the correct choices can be. Expert advice is readily available which is usually free so take advantage of it. As well as supplying the lockers, some companies can plan out the designated area that you are considering using, or advise on best practises for obtaining the correct mix of different types of lockers, especially if you have varied individual requirements.

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