Although employers in the UK are not legally required to give their staff smoking breaks (they are required to give rest breaks) most are pretty flexible and breaks for a cigarette or vape have become a normal part of the working day. When a company does not provide a dedicated outside smoking area, the staff (who smoke) are forced to gather in a nearby corner or another suitable area to shield themselves from the weather. It is neither comfortable nor healthy for the staff and certainly does not give a good impression to visitors.Designing a good bus shelter is essential to the smooth and successful running of the public transport system. Not only does a good design provide security and shelter, it can also act as a point of information, a source of advertising, and a way to organise a large number of people into a uniform queue that assists with organised boarding.
As experts in bespoke bus shelters, we have listed some of the key points to consider below.
Location
One of the most important factors to consider when designing a bespoke bus shelter is the location. Where the bus shelter will be placed will have an impact on the size, shape, and overall layout.
A bus shelter on a public pavement for example would need to allow for unobstructed access, so features such as fold-down seats and narrow perch seats are ideal. Bus shelters placed outside a supermarket on the other hand tend to have a larger space allocation allowing for more features. For a seaside bus shelter, choosing a more retro-style hut design will create a more familiar aesthetic with a more relaxed feel.
The bus shelter may also need to incorporate existing elements such as benches and walls which cannot be removed. Instead of these factors being a hindrance, they can become a unique design feature.
Access
Depending on the location of the bus shelter, there may be different access requirements.
A cantilever bus shelter like the Mersey Flat enables easy access from three sides making is a great choice on most occasions. It also offers clear visibility down the pavement from each end of the shelter.
An enclosed bus shelter (or L shaped shelter) such as the Suffolk Pitched or Lancashire Dome is a popular choice in busy city centres providing protection from the elements on up to 4 sides. To help with the flow through the shelter to the bus, including an entrance and exit opening is an excellent way to avoid overcrowding.
Bus shelters with no seating or fold up seating are also ideal for wheelchair access and parents with pushchairs.
Design
Another important factor when designing a bespoke bus shelter is the overall look and feel.
Surroundings
One of the main things to consider is the surroundings of the shelter. If it is to be located in a rural setting, opting for a more natural-looking material will help it to blend. Adding durable wood effect elements into the design gives it a more sustainable feel.
If the shelter is to be located in an urban setting, incorporating elements from the surrounding buildings and structures can help it become more of a focal point. Opting for brighter colours, unusual shapes, or non-standard material choices can transform the shelter from something functional to something more fun. All our bus shelters can be powder-coated to any colour or colours of your choice to either blend in or stand out.
Lighting
If your shelter will be located in an area with poor lightings such as a country road or residential street with energy-saving lights, you may choose to include some lighting or backlit advertising into your design to add an element of security and visibility.
Advertising
Incorporating advertisements into the bus shelter design is a great way for businesses and councils to generate extra income. Eye-catching ads can also help to provide a more stimulating environment for passengers while they wait for the bus. Remembering to keep one panel clear to view oncoming buses without obstruction is essential so people don’t need to leave the shelter to watch for the buses.
Passenger Information
For added convenience, incorporating route maps and timetables will let passengers see when the bus is due and ensure they are boarding the correct service. Real-time information bus shelters like the RTI Range are another alternative, providing up to the moment bus times on a non-intrusive digital screen.
Roofing
Adding a pitched, arched, or dome-shaped roof to your bus shelter will help to prevent a build-up of snow, rain, and debris which could add weight to the glazing panels and cause damage. Alternatively, choosing a flat roof in materials such as aluminium will provide a hard-wearing solution that will last for years to come.
Seating
The amount and type of seating included in the bus shelter design should reflect the number of people using it and the amount of time between bus journeys. For services with a larger space between arrivals, it makes sense to opt for a larger number of seats if possible. This also provides a place for the elderly and vulnerable to rest while they wait. Where buses are more frequent, leaning rails or no seating is a viable option.
Space
Considering the activities the people using the shelter are likely to partake in will help you determine the amount of space required. For example, if the primary purpose of the surrounding area is shopping, ensuring people can easily access the shelter with multiple shopping bags is essential.
Maintenance
One of the most important things to factor into the design of your bespoke bus shelter is the ongoing maintenance and management involved.
Choosing high-quality materials to construct your shelter will help with the longevity of the structure and reduce the likelihood of repairs.
Opting for hard-wearing materials for the frame such as British supplied aluminium with a protective polyester powder-coating will prevent rust for up to 15 years. TSG toughened safety glass or PETG polycarbonate will create an unobstructed view for passengers and make vandalism and damage to the glazing highly unlikely.
A thorough clean down once a year will help the shelter to outlast its 15-year guarantee and keep it looking as good as new.
Request a quote today
If you are ready to design a bespoke bus shelter, our website provides examples of previous installations, guide pricing, and information on customisation options. Request a free, no-obligation quote or call us on 01942 625577 to discuss your requirements with one of our friendly specialists. Our experienced surveyors and designers are ready to turn your bus shelter ideas into reality.
As specialists in providing all types of shelters, storage solutions and walkways for over 25 years, we have seen many companies benefit from our smoking shelters. The Oxford smoking shelter could be ideal for your workplace. Neat and smart, these shelters are sturdy, virtually maintenance-free, as well as functional. It’s an addition to your workplace that your staff, as well as your visitors, will thank you for.
A look you choose
While the standard Oxford smoking shelter is a very nice size (1.5m x 1m) there are many options to choose from so you can customise your shelter to create a style that suits your workplace and its surroundings. It may be functional, but you can still choose to get creative and go for a shelter that’s a talking point and makes a statement.
Everything we produce is bespoke to your requirements, so while a smoking shelter must be 50% glazed and 50% open for ventilation, you have a choice of colours (traffic yellow, traffic blue, traffic red, moss green, or yellow green) and roof styles (flat, pitched or domed).
You are also able to add extra panels, if it fits in with the guidelines, and even include a seat for extra comfort for the smokers. There are options with glazing too, with a choice of polycarbonate or toughened safety glass, although we recommend the latter. And, of course, depending on the size of your company you may require something bigger. You can even add solar panels.
Where to put your smoking shelter
You will need to choose a place for your shelter that is close to the entrance but not a place that will disturb the non-smokers when they walk past. Remember that the smoking shelter is 50% open to the elements, so choose a place away from a wind tunnel so the people using it are protected from the wind and driving rain as much as possible. You are, after all, putting up the smoking shelter for the comfort of staff and visitors.
It’s best to choose a flat area that already has a hard stand, which the smoking shelter requires so it can be bolted to the ground. If you don’t already have a suitable area with a hard stand we’d be happy to arrange a quote for you. Finally, choose a location that is not surrounded by puddles and mud. Your staff won’t thank you for getting covered in muck every time they go for a cigarette and you’ll avoid it getting trampled back into your office or factory.
Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our smoking shelter products.