Looking into Lockers
With so many different styles of lockers out there in different combinations and finishes, we thought it would be useful to explain the different types and uses to help you choose the best lockers for your project.
Gone are the days of rows upon rows of metal school lockers in drab metallic grey and padlock clasps. The choices now for locker specifications are almost limitless giving architects and designers plenty of the scope to realise their creative schemes.
Material: Aluminium, Laminate, Glass – the list is endless.
Locker carcasses are traditionally manufactured from aluminium, galvanised steel or stainless steel depending on the area of usage. This is then coupled with a door made from the same material or with compact grade laminate or glass. Banks of lockers are manufactured together with shared side walls and are frequently manufactured with a sloped top to stop the accumulation of litter or clutter and to aid cleaning.
The configuration of the lockers can be incredibly varied as can be the locking systems they employ. They can be full height, Z Lockers or multi-compartment with other options such as charging lockers and garment dispensers. Vents and vision panels can also be incorporated to encourage airflow or for areas at high risk such as museums and stations where visual inspection is needed.
Full height lockers are exactly that, lockers that have one opening the entire height of the locker bank. Internal compartments can be added as well as shelves and hanging ability and these are lockers in the purest form. Z Lockers are designed where space is an issue as they maximise capacity in the most efficient way. Each has a garment hanging sector and space for bags or personal items.
Size
Most people don’t realise lockers are designed around the user and the application. Standard lockers are 1775mm high while in schools, for example, lockers tend to be 1 to 3 compartments and are manufactured to different sizes depending on the age. Key Stage 1 lockers are 1250mm high while Key Stage 2 lockers are 1600mm high. Other factors such as height, width and depth are determined by the alcove or space where they’re going to be situated. Helmsman manufactures most of its lockers to size and exact specification.
A Splash of Colour
Lockers can be manufactured from metal, laminate or glass depending on their use. If you’re looking for clean-cut lines and a contemporary look then glass lockers may be the solution. A relatively new concept, they comprise an aluminium locker body with solid grade laminate door and then over-clad with tempered glass. Alternatively, RAL coloured glass is used for the doors.
Laminate lockers offer unparalleled options in terms of colours, designs and styles. Compact grade high-pressure laminate is incredibly robust, strong and secure and is a perfect choice for areas prone to high moisture and humidity as there is no risk of peeling, cracking or delamination. They are fully self-supporting, are easy to work with for cutting and fabrication and have resistance to wear, impact and scratching. See our colour options here.
Usage
From schools, universities, leisure centres, wet area changing rooms and retail parks through to staff rooms, emergency services and prisons, lockers are unique to their use.
For example, charging lockers are becoming more commonplace. These small lockers are manufactured with various compartment doors i.e. 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 28, 30 and 40 and come complete with plugs and USB sockets to safely store phones, tablets and laptops or power tools while charging them at the same time.
Anti-bacterial and anti-microbial lockers are popular in areas at risk from cross-contamination and for clean rooms; while food processing plants often also include perforated shelves means they can be hosed down at the end of each shift.
In the pharmaceutical industry, stainless steel lockers are popular as they can withstand almost any cleaning solution and chemicals that are used for sanitisation and therefore is used as their preferred material for lockers.
Garment Dispensers and Collectors are lockers designed to allow employees to collect clean garments while soiled clothing is collected centrally through another locker into a serviced laundry bag. This system ensures that clean laundry for the individual employee is secure and ready for collection at any time of the day or night and not compromised by soiled clothing.
More information on lockers and specification as well as cubicles, vanity units and seating are available from Helmsman, please contact us.
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