Smoking shelters are an integral part of any workplace. They provide a place for employees to smoke in the open air, whilst being protected from the rain and cold. Most workplaces will have staff who smoke or vape, so the need for good smoking shelters is high.

Good smoking shelters are more than a simple piece of roofing that protects users from the rain. Shelters should provide users with a comfortable and safe environment to sit or stand. If you are not sure where to start with your search for the perfect shelter, here are our tips for selecting the right product.

Good shelters will have an aluminium profile

Some shelters are made from steel, which are sturdy but very hard to maintain due to rust. This is why it is much better to purchase a shelter that is made from aluminium. Aluminium does not rust like steel and is much easier to maintain.

These shelters simply need one simple wash down each year with soap and water. They last for a long time but require hardly any time at all when it comes to maintenance. Aluminium is also far cheaper to install than steel, so these smoking shelters won’t break the bank.

Try opting for glass

The best smoking shelters will use glass panels to create the transparent sides of a smoking shelter. Glass is the best material for smoking shelters because it is strong, easy to clean and stays transparent. Polycarbonate glass is the best variety to use. This glass is very strong, so it will help to protect employees from broken glass that can occur as a result of damage. However, staff should be made aware of the risks involved with having a glass shelter and should be wary of broken glass that may be near the smoking shelter whilst they are using it.

Removable panels

For optimal health and safety, smoking shelters must be well ventilated. Most shelters will be installed with 50% ventilation, which is usually enough for most users. However, sometimes workplaces may receive complaints about the lack of ventilation in their shelters. Because of this, you should consider buying a shelter that has removable panelling. These panels can be easily removed from the shelter to create more ventilation and can be added back in when the weather gets colder and more shelter is needed. Removable panels will save money that would otherwise be spent on purchasing an entirely new shelter to keep staff happy.

Choose the right size

Smoking shelters come in a variety of different sizes. It is important that you chose a smoking shelter that will adequately hold all employees who may need to use it. If you are a large establishment with over 50 staff who smoke, there is no point installing a small, 2 person shelter. At Shelter Solutions, we have a range of sizes to chose from and shelters can be altered to fit your needs. A cramped shelter is unsafe, so you must make sure that employees have space to sit and smoke comfortably.

If you’re looking for a high-quality smoking shelter for your business, take a look at our range today.