Locker Specification Planning UK: What to Include Before Procurement

Locker specification planning is the process of turning a storage requirement into a clear technical brief that a supplier, contractor or procurement team can price and deliver consistently.

A good locker specification defines exactly what is required before products are ordered. It should state the user group, stored items, required compartment configuration, usable dimensions, material, finish, base and top treatment, ventilation, locking system, numbering, accessibility requirements, installation constraints, maintenance expectations and handover information.

This guide focuses specifically on what should be written into a locker specification. It does not attempt to replace detailed room layout, capacity calculation or installation planning.

For room dimensions, circulation, benches, aisle spacing and physical layout, use our Locker Planning UK guide. For calculating the number of compartments required, see How Many Lockers Do You Need?. For delivery routes, fixing and site preparation, use Locker Installation Planning UK.

What Is a Locker Specification?

A locker specification is a written description of the locker system that a project requires. It converts a general statement such as “we need staff lockers” into measurable requirements that can be checked against supplier quotations and final products.

A specification might define:

• who will use the lockers;
• what users need to store;
• the required number of usable compartments;
• locker height, width and depth;
• usable compartment dimensions;
• number of tiers or doors per column;
• material and construction;
• door and carcase finish;
• stands, plinths or sloping tops;
• ventilation requirements;
• lock type and operating mode;
• numbering and identification;
• accessible locker provision;
• maintenance and replacement requirements;
• installation conditions;
• handover items such as keys, codes or spare parts.

The aim is not to make the specification unnecessarily complicated. The aim is to remove ambiguity before the order is placed.

Quick Answer: What Should a Locker Specification Include?

Specification area	What to define
User requirement	Who will use the lockers and what they need to store
Quantity	Number of usable compartments required
Dimensions	Overall locker and usable compartment dimensions
Configuration	Single-door, two-tier, multi-tier or specialist layout
Material	Steel, laminate, plastic or other suitable construction
Finish	Carcase colour, door colour and finish
Base and top	Floor standing, stand, plinth, seat stand, flat or sloping top
Ventilation	Standard vents, perforation or enhanced airflow requirement
Locking	Key, hasp, combination, coin, RFID, electronic or smart access
Identification	Numbers, labels, engraved tags or asset references
Accessibility	Required accessible positions and operating requirements
Maintenance	Replaceable parts, lock access and long-term service requirements
Installation	Relevant site constraints that affect the product or fixing method
Handover	Keys, credentials, codes, records and spare parts

1. Define the User Requirement

The first part of a locker specification should describe the user group and storage requirement. This establishes the basis for every later product decision.

A school pupil, office employee, warehouse operative, hospital worker and leisure-centre member may all require lockers, but the physical contents and operating conditions are different.

The specification should state:

• the user group;
• the items normally stored;
• whether the storage is assigned or shared;
• whether clothing hangs or folds;
• whether bags, footwear or PPE must fit inside;
• whether wet or damp items are expected;
• whether larger personal items need separate storage.

Do not begin with a locker model and try to make the user requirement fit it. Define the storage requirement first, then select the product.

2. Specify the Required Quantity

The specification should state the number of usable locker compartments required. The detailed calculation should already have been completed before procurement.

The number may be based on permanently assigned users, shared use, shifts, temporary users or a combination of these. The specification itself should record the agreed quantity and any required spare provision.

For example:

Provide 120 usable staff compartments, including 10 spare compartments for future allocation.

The detailed question of simultaneous users, shift overlap, hybrid attendance and spare capacity belongs in How Many Lockers Do You Need? Capacity Planning Guide.

3. Locker Dimensions and Usable Compartment Size

Locker dimensions should be specified in terms of both the overall cabinet and the usable compartment. External dimensions alone do not confirm whether the intended belongings will fit.

The specification should define, where relevant:

• overall height;
• overall width;
• overall depth;
• number of tiers;
• usable compartment height;
• usable compartment width;
• usable compartment depth;
• clear opening dimensions where critical.

For example, a 450 mm deep workplace locker may suit coats and bags, while a compact personal-effects locker may only need to accommodate phones, wallets and keys.

Use the Locker Sizes UK guide for detailed size selection. If front-to-back projection is the main question, use the Locker Depth Guide UK.

4. Specify the Locker Configuration

The specification should state the required door or compartment configuration rather than simply asking for “lockers”.

Typical configurations include:

• single-door full-height lockers;
• two-tier lockers;
• three-tier lockers;
• four-tier lockers;
• six-tier or high-density personal storage;
• clean and dirty lockers;
• PPE lockers;
• garment lockers;
• mesh lockers;
• heated lockers;
• charging lockers;
• specialist small-compartment lockers.

The selected configuration should reflect the stored items and operating requirement, not simply the maximum number of doors that can fit into the available wall width.

5. Specify the Locker Material

Material should be chosen according to the environment, expected wear, cleaning method and appearance requirement.

Material	Typical application	Specification issue
Steel	Schools, offices, warehouses and general workplaces	Good general-purpose option for dry environments
Laminate	Education, leisure and higher-finish changing areas	Specify door and substrate type where relevant
Plastic	Wet, humid or corrosive environments	Useful where moisture resistance is important
Heavy-duty construction	Industrial and high-wear locations	Useful where impact and rough use are expected
Wire mesh	Warehouses, PPE and ventilated storage	Provides visibility and high airflow

Do not describe an environment merely as “indoor”. A dry office, swimming-pool changing area and industrial washdown zone are all indoor environments but may require very different products.

See Locker Materials Explained for detailed material selection.

6. Specify Colours and Finishes

Colour and finish should be written into the specification rather than left as an informal decision after the product has been selected.

State, where required:

• carcase colour;
• door colour;
• single-colour or mixed-colour doors;
• powder-coated finish;
• laminate finish;
• department or year-group colour coding;
• requirement to match existing lockers;
• contrast requirements for numbering.

This becomes particularly important on phased projects where new banks may need to sit alongside older installations.

For detailed matching and colour guidance, use Locker Colours and Finishes UK.

7. Stands, Plinths and Top Treatment

The base and top arrangement should form part of the specification because it affects installed height, cleaning, appearance and compatibility with the locker range.

Options may include:

• floor-standing lockers;
• open stands;
• stands with adjustable feet;
• closed plinths;
• seat stands;
• flat tops;
• sloping tops.

A specification should state the required arrangement rather than assuming it is included as standard.

Use Locker Stands, Plinths and Sloping Tops for the detailed choice.

8. Ventilation Requirement

Ventilation should be specified according to the items being stored and the environment in which the lockers will operate.

Standard door vents may be sufficient for routine personal storage. Clothing, footwear, PPE or damp workwear may justify greater airflow, perforation or a specialist ventilated or heated locker system.

The specification should therefore state whether ventilation is simply required as part of the normal product design or whether enhanced airflow is a functional requirement.

For detailed guidance, see Locker Ventilation and Airflow.

9. Specify the Lock and Access Requirement

The locker lock should be written into the specification because it affects user experience, administration, maintenance and long-term cost.

Lock type	Typical specification use
Key lock	Assigned lockers and straightforward permanent use
Hasp lock	User-supplied or site-issued padlocks
Combination lock	Sites wanting to reduce physical key issue
Coin lock	Leisure, public changing and temporary use
RFID or card access	Sites using managed credentials
Electronic or smart access	Managed shared-use or integrated locker systems

The specification should record the chosen operating method but does not need to duplicate the complete technology-selection process.

Use the Locker Locking Systems guide for detailed lock comparison. For permissions, credentials, override authority and administration, use Locker Access Control Systems UK.

10. Locker Numbering and Identification

A locker specification should state how individual compartments will be identified. Leaving numbering until after installation often results in inconsistent labels or duplicate numbering.

The project may require:

• sequential locker numbers;
• department-specific ranges;
• floor or room prefixes;
• engraved labels;
• adhesive number plates;
• asset numbers;
• barcode or QR identification;
• matching key or lock schedules where appropriate.

Define the numbering format before manufacture or installation where factory numbering is required.

11. Accessibility Requirements

The specification should identify any accessible locker requirements rather than assuming every locker position can serve every user equally.

Relevant specification points may include:

• lower or more accessible compartment positions;
• appropriate reach heights;
• lock operating method;
• door force and handle usability;
• clear identification;
• provision for users with mobility or dexterity limitations.

The detailed room-space and approach requirements belong in the accessibility and layout process rather than this specification guide.

Use Locker Accessibility and DDA Planning UK for detailed inclusive-layout guidance.

12. Cleaning and Hygiene Requirements

Cleaning requirements should influence the locker specification, particularly in schools, healthcare, food production, changing facilities and industrial workplaces.

Specify any requirement for:

• easy-clean surfaces;
• closed plinths;
• open stands for floor access;
• sloping tops;
• moisture-resistant construction;
• reduced dirt traps;
• materials compatible with the site’s cleaning regime.

The specification should describe the required outcome. The exact cleaning schedule remains an operational matter.

13. Maintenance and Replacement Parts

A commercial locker installation should remain serviceable after the initial project is complete. This makes maintenance support and replacement parts legitimate specification issues.

Consider stating requirements for:

• replaceable locks;
• replacement keys;
• replacement doors where available;
• hinges and fixing components;
• master or override access where appropriate;
• spare locks or keys supplied at handover;
• availability of replacement parts after installation.

Standardising lock formats and locker ranges across an estate can make future maintenance simpler, particularly where multiple departments or buildings are involved.

14. Future Extension and Standardisation

The specification should consider whether additional locker banks may be added later. This is particularly important for growing workplaces, schools and multi-phase developments.

Useful requirements may include:

• consistent locker width and depth;
• standard door colours;
• common lock types;
• matching numbering systems;
• compatible stands or plinths;
• product ranges with replacement parts support;
• scope for later extension using matching units.

This is a specification issue because later compatibility can depend on decisions made at the original purchase stage.

15. Installation Information to Include in the Specification

The specification should record only the installation conditions that affect the product supplied or the method of fixing. It should not duplicate the full installation-planning process.

Relevant information may include:

• whether lockers are to be freestanding, nested or fixed;
• whether wall fixing is required;
• whether stands or plinths are supplied;
• whether the floor is level or has known constraints;
• whether fixing to walls is permitted;
• whether lockers arrive assembled or require on-site assembly;
• whether special access restrictions affect the cabinet dimensions.

Detailed delivery access, unloading, stairs, lifts, working hours, phased installation and site logistics belong in Locker Installation Planning UK.

16. Handover Requirements

Handover requirements are often omitted from locker specifications even though they can affect whether the facilities team can operate the system effectively from day one.

State what should be provided at completion, such as:

• user keys;
• master or override keys;
• combination-reset tools;
• PIN or credential information;
• spare locks;
• spare keys;
• locker numbering records;
• lock schedules;
• manufacturer instructions;
• maintenance information;
• warranty documentation where applicable.

Where electronic or managed locker systems are used, the handover may also need administrator credentials, user-management instructions and system documentation.

Example Locker Specification Schedule

A simple schedule can make quotations easier to compare because every supplier is working from the same requirement.

Field	Project requirement
Location	Building, floor, room or department
User group	Staff, pupils, visitors, members or other users
Stored items	Clothing, bags, PPE, books, equipment or personal effects
Quantity	Required usable compartments plus agreed spare provision
Allocation	Assigned, shared, temporary or mixed
Configuration	Single-door, two-tier, multi-tier or specialist
Dimensions	Required overall and usable compartment dimensions
Material	Required locker construction
Finish	Carcase and door colour or finish
Base	Floor standing, stand, plinth or seat stand
Top	Flat or sloping
Ventilation	Standard or enhanced requirement
Lock	Lock type and operating mode
Numbering	Required numbering or identification format
Accessibility	Required accessible positions or operating requirements
Maintenance	Required spares and replacement-part provision
Installation	Relevant fixing or product constraints
Handover	Keys, credentials, instructions and records

Common Locker Specification Mistakes

• Starting with a product instead of a requirement: define what users need to store first.
• Specifying only external dimensions: usable internal space matters just as much.
• Leaving the number of tiers undefined: different configurations can have very different usability.
• Ignoring the environment: material should reflect moisture, wear and cleaning conditions.
• Leaving colour and finish until later: this can create mismatched installations.
• Not specifying stands, plinths or sloping tops: these are often project-critical components.
• Choosing the lock too late: lock format affects user operation and management.
• Failing to specify numbering: inconsistent identification creates avoidable administration.
• Ignoring maintenance requirements: replacement parts and access should be considered before purchase.
• Not planning for future matching: unnecessary variation makes later expansion harder.
• Using the specification to solve room-layout problems: layout should already have been resolved during planning.

Locker Specification vs Locker Planning

These two processes are related but should not be treated as the same task.

Locker Planning UK	Locker Specification Planning UK
How many lockers fit?	What dimensions should be specified?
Where should they go?	What product configuration is required?
How wide should aisles be?	What material and finish are required?
Where should benches go?	What stand, plinth or top treatment is required?
Will doors clash?	What lock system should be supplied?
How will users move through the room?	What numbering and identification are required?
Will the installation physically work?	What should the supplier price and provide?

Locker Planning UK answers whether the installation will work in the available space. Locker Specification Planning UK defines exactly what product and options should be supplied.

That distinction should remain clear throughout the procurement process.

Related Locker Specification Guides

• Locker Planning UK: Layout, Space and Room Planning
• How Many Lockers Do You Need?
• Locker Sizes UK
• Locker Depth Guide UK
• Locker Materials Explained
• Locker Colours and Finishes UK
• Locker Stands, Plinths and Sloping Tops
• Locker Ventilation and Airflow
• Locker Locking Systems
• Locker Access Control Systems UK
• Locker Accessibility and DDA Planning UK
• Locker Installation Planning UK

Conclusion: Turn the Requirement into a Measurable Specification

Locker specification planning should convert an agreed storage requirement into a measurable technical brief. The specification should define the locker dimensions, configuration, material, finish, base and top treatment, ventilation, locking system, numbering, accessibility, maintenance requirements and relevant installation conditions.

It should not duplicate the full room-planning process. Capacity calculations, aisle widths, door clearances, bench positions and user circulation should be resolved in the relevant planning guides before the final specification is issued.

Once the specification is complete, compare the requirement with our commercial locker ranges and confirm current manufacturer dimensions, colours, lock options and accessories before ordering.

FAQ: Locker Specification Planning UK

What is locker specification planning?

Locker specification planning is the process of defining exactly what locker product, configuration, material, finish, locking method, identification and supporting options should be supplied before procurement.

What should a locker specification include?

A locker specification should include user requirements, quantity, overall and usable dimensions, configuration, material, finish, base and top treatment, ventilation, lock type, numbering, accessibility, maintenance requirements, relevant installation constraints and handover requirements.

What is the difference between locker planning and locker specification?

Locker planning determines whether the installation will work in the available room, including capacity, layout, aisles and circulation. Locker specification defines exactly what locker product and options the supplier should provide.

Should usable compartment size be included in the specification?

Yes. External cabinet dimensions do not confirm whether users can store the intended items, so usable compartment dimensions should be defined where storage capacity is critical.

Should locker locks be specified before ordering?

Yes. Lock type affects how users operate the lockers, how keys or credentials are managed, how override access works and how replacement locks are handled later.

Should locker numbering be included in the specification?

Yes. Numbering, labelling or asset identification should be defined before manufacture or installation where a consistent identification system is required.

Should installation details be included in a locker specification?

Include installation conditions only where they affect the product or fixing method. Detailed delivery routes, unloading, access and site logistics should be handled separately through installation planning.