About Lockers

Q. Is it worth buying second hand lockers?

A. There are a few key things you need to know about used lockers.

1. Many used lockers are ex-government installations

2. Frequently they are odd sizes and generally the used lockers are over twenty five years old, (and for those who are concerned with the aesthetic) not to mention awful colours.

3. Used Lockers can be priced higher than new lockers

4. Any used lockers without keys will be more expensive than new lockers.

Q. Can I get damaged locker doors repaired?

A. Any lockers requiring remedial works, unless they are at no charge, will cost you more than buying them new because locker tooling is specific to a manufacturer and at least half of the manufacturers that existed in the 70′s and 80′s are now out of business. Special tooling or setting up for one item in volume batch manufacturing facilities will cost you a considerable amount of money. It is also virtually impossible to match the paint works.

Q. How can I restore the paint work on Lockers?

Prior to 1995 many of the plants used chemicals in their process which have long since been outlawed. Most modern oven cured paint plants use water-based materials to comply with legislations, so if your lockers are more than 20 years old, your only option is to use something like an air dry, hammerite paint, which is likely to look dreadful. At all events the right way to do it is to strip the old paint off and respray it. I can guarantee this will cost you more than a new locker by the time you add the transport costs, the handling and the labour to rework the products.

Q. Where can I buy good Quality Lockers?

A. There are four main U.K. manufacturing works specialising in sheet metal cabinet making. As these plants operate from standard tooling and production line set ups they manufacture predominantly to standard sizes based on mill stock flat sheet metal work or coils, which governs the final standard production sizes available. There are still some specialist sheet steel cabinet makers who will build, at a price, any type of enclosure you require. Often these finish up in specialist power generating plants and house process control equipment. With few exceptions these companies work through specialist distributors who have strong technical knowledge, this way they avoid the cost of employing direct sale forces and can concentrate on their core activity. You can get all these products through Engineered Solutions who have a huge range of Lockers at www.engineeredsolutions.info/.

Q. I need a secure Locker, where can I buy one?

A. There are a number of levels of security and safety and against fire which are too complicated to go into in a brief answer. However, the more metal , the more complex the locking mechanism and the greater the insulation, the more durable it is to the task required of it. There are two basic levels of security. There is a common misconception that any key locker is one of these, we advise against using it for main security measures. The first a five lever lock. This is unlikely to deter the determined thief. However he will leave evidence of his actions and to know that you have been compromised is the first level of security. The second is prevention, therefore we would suggest that anything really at risk, not only has a high security system but is supported by some form of CCTV.

Q How do I select a Locker?

A. If you are in pharmaceuticals or hygienic conditions then a stainless steel Locker has to be a major factor. Frequently they have sloping roofs for an easy clean. For office or recreational hotel type purposes (golf courses etc) you may consider a timber or veneer finish. For everything else the Locker industry now offers a wide range of colours, for volume batches you can have logos or special colours, or combinations there of.

The most important thing is what you are going to keep in the locker. If the items are damp, then you will require some form of air circulation. Long garments require tall Lockers. Sometimes mesh lockers are appropriate so you can see the contents of the locker. This is useful in a stock control situation and facilitation. Lockers can be divided up into sub compartments and can have shelves as well. The simple answer is to allocate the appropriate cubic capacity through length, width, breadth and height and choose a locker which best represents an appropriate size solution which is fitted out with the apposite number of compartments to store and facilitate the items.

Q. How resistant are Lockers to chemicals and wet areas?

A. For persistently moist and damp conditions stainless steel or plastic is your only solution. However, if it is just wet floors for food preparation halls where constant cleaning is in operation or swimming pools, or changing room areas, then we would suggest a plinth to keep the main body of the locker off the ground. It also makes cleaning easier for you, protects the paintwork and can be incorporated into benches under which baskets can be fitted to take foot wear. The other alternative is simply to have a set of clothes pegs on a frame where security is not an issue.