Heated Drying Lockers for PPE, Workwear and Wet Clothing

Heated Drying Lockers for Wet PPE, Workwear and Clothing

Heated lockers combine secure storage with warm-air circulation to help damp workwear, PPE, coats, boots and other clothing dry between uses. They are intended for workplaces where garments are regularly returned wet or damp and conventional storage alone is not sufficient.

They are also useful in offices with cycle-to-work facilities. Employees who commute by bicycle can store damp cycling jackets, over-trousers, gloves and other riding clothing during the working day so that it can dry before the journey home.

This page focuses specifically on heated and drying storage. If active drying is not required, compare our garment lockers or browse the wider workplace locker range.

How Heated Drying Lockers Work

The heater is positioned beneath the locker on a skirted steel stand. Warm air rises through the perforated base and circulates through the locker, helping moisture evaporate while clothing and equipment remain securely stored.

The appropriate heater arrangement depends on the locker configuration, the quantity of wet equipment and the site's operating conditions. Drying performance will also vary according to garment material, moisture level, loading and surrounding temperature.

When to Choose a Heated Locker

Cycle-to-Work Heated Lockers for Offices

Workplaces that encourage cycling can use heated lockers as part of their staff changing and cycle-to-work facilities. A commuter arriving in wet weather may need somewhere secure to leave a waterproof jacket, cycling trousers, gloves or other damp clothing while working.

Allowing those items to dry during the day can make the return commute more comfortable and avoids leaving wet clothing on radiators, chairs or around office changing areas. The locker capacity should be planned around the number of regular cycle commuters and the amount of clothing each person is likely to store.

Typical Heated Locker Applications

Heated drying lockers are particularly useful where staff work outdoors, in wet environments or with clothing that needs to be reused later the same day or on the next shift. Typical applications include utilities, construction, engineering, manufacturing, warehouses, transport operations, staff changing facilities and offices with cycle-to-work schemes.

They can be used for items such as workwear, protective clothing, coats, boots and cycling clothing. The locker layout should be chosen around the actual equipment being stored rather than simply the total number of users.

Single and Twin Heater Arrangements

Different heater arrangements are available within the range. A single-heater configuration may be suitable for lighter drying requirements, while a twin-heater arrangement provides greater heat input where the selected configuration and operating conditions require it.

There is no universal drying time. Before ordering, consider how wet the items normally are, how densely each compartment will be loaded and how long the equipment is available to dry between uses.

Planning a Heated Locker Installation

Before specifying heated lockers, confirm:

• the number of users and required locker compartments
• the type and quantity of wet PPE, workwear or cycling clothing
• whether full-height or multi-door storage is required
• the required heater arrangement
• the available floor and wall space
• the electrical supply and cable position
• the preferred locking method
• delivery access and installation clearances

For office cycle-to-work installations, base capacity on the likely number of simultaneous cycle commuters rather than total staff headcount. Consider the space required for wet-weather jackets and over-trousers as well as smaller items such as gloves.

Electrical supply and installation arrangements must be suitable for the selected system. Check the current heated locker specification before ordering.

Heated Lockers vs Standard Garment Lockers

A standard garment locker provides secure clothing storage but does not actively assist drying. If clothing normally enters the locker dry, a garment locker may be sufficient. Where workwear, PPE or cycle clothing is regularly damp, heated storage is the more appropriate category to consider.

Need Help Specifying Heated Lockers?

If you know the number of users, the type of wet clothing being stored and the available changing-room or office space, Total Locker Service can help narrow down the suitable heated-locker arrangement.