Heated Lockers for Warwick University National Automotive Innovation Centre

Total Locker Service supplied heated clothing lockers to Balfour Beatty for the National Automotive Innovation Centre at the University of Warwick. The project used two-door heated lockers in both island and wall-run configurations, with white compact-grade laminate end panels used to finish exposed locker ends.

Project Requirement

The changing facilities required secure personal storage that could also help users dry damp workwear and cycling clothing during the working day or overnight.

The locker installation also needed to work with different room layouts. Some lockers were positioned against walls, while others were arranged as freestanding island runs within the changing area.

Heated Locker Solution

Two-door heated lockers were selected for the project. Each locker column provided two separately accessed compartments while the integrated heating system helped provide gradual drying for damp garments stored inside.

Heated lockers are particularly useful where employees regularly arrive with wet outerwear, workwear or cycling clothing and need somewhere secure to store garments while they dry.

For current configurations and product options, see our heated locker range.

Island Run Locker Layout

Part of the installation used an island configuration rather than positioning every locker against a perimeter wall.

Four lockers were positioned back to back, with a further run of three lockers forming the end of the island. This created additional locker capacity within the available floor area while maintaining access from different sides.

Island layouts can be useful in larger changing rooms where the central floor area can accommodate storage without compromising circulation routes.

Compact-Grade Laminate End Panels

White compact-grade laminate end panels were fitted to exposed locker sides.

This was particularly important on the freestanding island runs because the ends and sides of the cabinets formed visible parts of the finished installation rather than being concealed against walls.

The end panels provided a cleaner finished appearance and helped integrate the lockers into the wider changing-room design.

Two-Door Heated Locker Configuration

The lockers supplied for the National Automotive Innovation Centre used a two-door configuration.

This provided two individual storage compartments within each locker column and increased user capacity compared with a single-door arrangement while still retaining useful space for clothing.

Single-door heated lockers are also available where users require a larger full-height compartment.

Heated Locker Specification

Feature	Available specification
Door configurations	Single-door and two-door heated lockers
Locker runs	Runs of 2 to 6 lockers
Widths	300 mm, 380 mm and 450 mm
Depths	300 mm, 380 mm, 450 mm and 550 mm
Standard locking	Key lock or swivel hasp for use with a padlock
Optional locking	Coin-operated, mechanical combination and electronic combination locks
Standard heating	Single heater unit
Optional heating	Double heater unit where greater drying output is required

Single and Double Heater Options

Standard heated lockers use a single heater unit intended to support gradual drying over time.

Where the application requires greater drying output, a double heater option can be specified.

The appropriate configuration depends on the type and quantity of clothing being stored, expected moisture levels, available drying time and the conditions within the changing room.

Heated Locker Locking Options

The locking method can be selected according to how the lockers will be allocated and managed.

• Key locks: suitable where users are issued a conventional locker key.
• Swivel hasp fittings: allow users to secure compartments with a compatible padlock.
• Coin-operated locks: suitable for selected shared-use environments.
• Mechanical combination locks: remove the need for a day-to-day user key.
• Electronic combination locks: provide electronic PIN access where appropriate.

For a wider comparison of locker access methods, see our Locker Access Control Systems UK guide.

Project Challenges and Solutions

Project requirement	Solution
Secure storage for staff clothing	Individual lockable heated locker compartments
Damp workwear and cycling clothing	Integrated heating to support gradual drying
Need for additional capacity away from perimeter walls	Freestanding island locker configuration
Visible exposed cabinet ends	White compact-grade laminate end panels
Higher user capacity within each locker column	Two-door locker configuration

Warwick University Heated Locker Project Summary

• Project: National Automotive Innovation Centre.
• Location: University of Warwick.
• Main contractor: Balfour Beatty.
• Product: heated clothing lockers.
• Configuration supplied: two-door lockers.
• Layout: wall runs and freestanding island runs.
• Island configuration: back-to-back lockers with an additional end run.
• Finishing: white compact-grade laminate end panels.
• Application: secure storage and gradual drying of damp clothing.

About the National Automotive Innovation Centre

The National Automotive Innovation Centre at the University of Warwick was developed as a collaborative automotive research and innovation facility involving Warwick Manufacturing Group, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors.

For the locker installation, the practical requirement was to provide suitable changing-room storage for people working within the facility.

Where Heated Lockers Are Useful

Heated lockers can be useful where employees regularly need to store damp clothing or workwear during a shift.

• Engineering and manufacturing facilities.
• Industrial workplaces.
• Construction and site environments.
• Utilities and maintenance operations.
• Cycle-to-work changing facilities.
• Outdoor and field-based workforces.

They are particularly relevant where ordinary personal lockers provide secure storage but do not address the practical problem of storing wet garments for several hours.

Planning a Heated Locker Installation

Heated lockers should be planned as part of the complete changing-room layout rather than treated as an isolated product choice.

• Number of users requiring heated storage.
• Single-door or two-door configuration.
• Required locker width and depth.
• Wall-run or island layout.
• Available electrical supply.
• Single or double heater requirement.
• Locker access method.
• Room ventilation and general environmental conditions.
• Circulation space around locker runs.
• Requirement for decorative end panels.

For wider planning guidance, see our Locker Planning UK guide and Locker Room Design UK guide.

Heated Lockers from Total Locker Service

Total Locker Service supplies heated lockers for workplaces, engineering facilities, construction environments and changing rooms where damp clothing requires secure storage and gradual drying.

View our heated locker range, browse our wider commercial lockers or contact us to discuss locker dimensions, compartment configuration, heating requirements, layout and locking options for your project.