Locker Planning UK: Layout, Space, Compliance and Installation Guide (2026)

Locker planning is the process of choosing the right locker sizes, depths, layouts, spacing, access routes and installation method for a building. A good locker layout protects circulation space, improves user flow, supports accessibility and prevents lockers from blocking doors, benches, walkways or escape routes.

This guide is the main planning hub for lockers in the UK. It helps facilities managers, architects, site managers, school estates teams, workplace planners and contractors plan locker areas before ordering or installing lockers.

Quick answer: Start with the user group, then choose the locker size, depth and door type. After that, check aisle width, bench spacing, access needs, escape routes, wall fixing, floor condition and future capacity.

Use this page as the parent guide for locker layout, locker room planning, workplace changing rooms, school lockers, NHS staff changing areas, wet area layouts, accessibility and fire escape spacing.

Plan your locker layout

Planning issue	Use this guide	Best next step
Locker size	Height, width and compartment count	Locker sizes UK
Locker depth	Projection into the room	Locker depth guide UK
Aisle width	Safe movement between rows	Locker aisle width guide UK
Bench spacing	Changing room comfort and flow	Bench spacing and clearance guide UK
Changing rooms	Wet, dry and staff changing layouts	Changing room layout guide UK
Workplaces	Staff lockers, PPE and shift use	Workplace locker layout guide UK
Schools	Corridors, year groups and supervision	School locker planning guide UK
Healthcare	NHS staff changing and clean workflow	NHS staff changing room lockers guide UK
Wet areas	Pools, gyms, spas and leisure centres	Wet area locker planning guide UK
Accessibility	DDA, inclusive access and reach	Accessible locker layout guide UK

What is locker planning?

Locker planning means more than choosing a row of lockers. It includes user numbers, locker dimensions, aisle space, door swing, bench position, wall fixing, floor level, cleaning access, access control and safe movement around the area.

A strong locker plan should answer five questions:

• Who will use the lockers?
• What will they store?
• How often will the lockers be accessed?
• How much space is available?
• Will the layout stay safe when the area is busy?

Start with the user group

Different users need different locker layouts. A school corridor, factory changing room, hospital staff area and gym changing room should not be planned in the same way.

Environment	Main planning need	Common mistake
Schools	Fast access, supervision and corridor safety	Placing lockers where pupils block movement
Workplaces	Staff belongings, PPE and shift change flow	Not allowing enough peak-time aisle space
Gyms and leisure centres	Wet-area materials, benches and high turnover	Using dry-area lockers in humid spaces
NHS and healthcare	Staff changing, clean routes and adequate provision	Separating lockers from changing workflow
Industrial sites	PPE, workwear, boots and robust access	Choosing lockers that are too shallow
Offices	Personal storage, hybrid working and zoning	Overbuilding fixed assigned lockers

Choose locker size and depth first

Locker size affects everything else. Wider or deeper lockers increase storage capacity, but they also reduce circulation space. Multi-door lockers increase user capacity, but they may not suit coats, PPE, uniforms or bags.

Use locker sizes UK to compare locker heights, widths and compartment layouts. Then use the locker depth guide UK to check how far lockers project into the room.

Check aisle width and door clearance

Aisle width must allow people to stand, open locker doors, pass safely and move around benches. Door swing is often missed. A layout that looks acceptable on a drawing can fail when several users open lockers at the same time.

For detailed measurements, use the locker aisle width guide UK and the locker door clearance guide UK.

Plan bench spacing

Benches improve comfort in changing rooms, but they also reduce movement space. Poor bench placement causes bottlenecks, especially when benches sit too close to locker doors or opposite another locker row.

Use the bench spacing and clearance guide UK before fixing benches between locker rows, against walls or in central changing areas.

Plan zones, not just rows

Good locker planning uses zones. This keeps busy users apart, reduces crossing movement and makes the layout easier to manage.

• Entry zone: where users arrive, queue or collect access tokens.
• Locker zone: where personal storage is located.
• Changing zone: where benches, hooks and mirrors may be needed.
• Wet zone: where showers, pools or damp clothing affect material choice.
• Staff zone: where access may need to be restricted.
• Accessible zone: where lockers must be easier to reach and use.

For larger projects, use the locker zoning guide UK to separate users, traffic flow and storage types.

Workplace locker planning

Workplace locker areas must support the way staff actually move through the building. Offices may need personal storage for hybrid working. Factories may need deeper lockers for PPE and workwear. Warehouses may need robust staff lockers near clock-in points or changing areas.

For staff areas, use the workplace locker layout guide UK. For storage selection, view our work lockers.

School locker planning

School locker planning should consider year groups, corridor width, supervision, break-time pressure and door swing. Lockers should not create blind spots, block circulation or encourage crowding at pinch points.

Use the school locker planning guide UK for corridor placement, year-group zoning and high-traffic areas.

NHS and healthcare staff changing

Healthcare locker planning often needs a stronger link between changing space, staff welfare, clean workflow and access control. NHS guidance recognises the role of staff changing facilities and locker provision in healthcare planning, and staff welfare guidance refers to changing facilities with seating and clothing accommodation where workers need to change clothing.

Use the NHS staff changing room lockers guide UK when planning lockers for hospitals, clinics, treatment areas and healthcare staff spaces.

Wet area locker planning

Wet area layouts need more than standard locker spacing. Pools, spas, leisure centres and gyms must consider moisture, corrosion, slip risk, drainage, cleaning access and ventilation.

Use the wet area locker planning guide UK before choosing locker material, plinths, stands, benches or lock types for humid areas.

Fire escape spacing and locker layouts

Lockers should not obstruct escape routes, emergency doors, corridors or final exits. UK workplace fire safety guidance requires clear passageways to escape routes, clearly marked escape routes and routes that are short and direct.

Before installing lockers in corridors, near exits or in shared circulation areas, use the fire escape spacing for locker layouts UK guide. For higher-risk sites, confirm the layout with the responsible person, fire risk assessor or project designer.

Accessibility and inclusive locker layouts

Accessible locker planning should consider approach space, reach range, door swing, handle operation, wheelchair movement and whether users can access lockers without obstruction. Building Regulations Approved Document M gives guidance on access to and use of buildings in England.

Use the accessible locker layout guide UK when planning lockers for public buildings, workplaces, education sites, healthcare settings and leisure environments.

Smart locker layouts

Smart lockers need different planning from standard personal lockers. They may require power, data, software management, user screens, parcel access, charging points or shared-use allocation. The layout should support quick access without users blocking the control point.

Use the smart locker layouts UK guide for offices, parcel lockers, asset lockers, charging lockers and shared workplace storage.

Common locker planning mistakes

• Choosing locker quantity before checking available floor space.
• Using deep lockers in narrow rooms.
• Ignoring door swing and open-door clearance.
• Putting benches too close to locker fronts.
• Blocking escape routes or corridor movement.
• Mixing wet and dry storage needs in one locker type.
• Not allowing space for wheelchair users or assisted access.
• Forgetting wall fixing, floor level and skirting obstructions.
• Not planning future locker capacity.
• Choosing locks before deciding whether use is assigned or shared.

For a full prevention checklist, use locker layout mistakes to avoid UK.

Locker planning checklist

• Measure the room width, length and ceiling height.
• Mark doors, windows, radiators, columns, services and escape routes.
• Decide whether lockers are for staff, pupils, visitors, patients, members or contractors.
• Choose locker height, width, depth and compartment count.
• Check aisle width with locker doors open.
• Allow space for benches where users change clothes or footwear.
• Separate wet, dry, clean and dirty zones where needed.
• Check accessible routes and reachable locker positions.
• Confirm wall fixing, floor condition and installation access.
• Choose locks after deciding whether lockers are shared or assigned.

Where to go next

If you are still choosing the locker itself, start with lockers. If you are planning a staff area, use work lockers. If the lock type is the main issue, use the locker locks UK guide.

For layout planning, move next into the most relevant detailed guide:

• Locker sizes UK
• Locker depth guide UK
• Locker aisle width guide UK
• Bench spacing and clearance guide UK
• Changing room layout guide UK
• Workplace locker layout guide UK
• School locker planning guide UK
• Accessible locker layout guide UK

FAQ

What is the best locker layout?

The best locker layout gives users enough storage while keeping aisles, doors, benches and escape routes clear. The right layout depends on the building, user group, locker depth and how busy the area becomes at peak times.

How much space do lockers need?

Locker space depends on locker width, depth, door swing and aisle clearance. Always measure the full projection of the locker and allow extra room for users standing in front of open doors.

Can lockers go in corridors?

Lockers can be used in corridors only where they do not block circulation, supervision, doors, escape routes or accessible movement. School and workplace corridors need careful planning before installation.

What locker depth should I choose?

Shallow lockers suit limited spaces and small personal items. Deeper lockers suit coats, bags, PPE and workwear. The deeper the locker, the more important aisle width and door clearance become.

Do changing rooms need benches?

Most changing rooms benefit from benches because users need somewhere to sit while changing footwear or clothing. Benches must be positioned so they do not block locker doors or reduce safe movement space.

Do locker layouts need to consider accessibility?

Yes. Locker layouts should consider accessible routes, reach height, door operation and movement space. Public, workplace, education, healthcare and leisure sites should plan inclusive access from the start.

Who should use this locker planning guide?

This guide is for facilities managers, architects, contractors, school estates teams, workplace managers, healthcare planners, leisure operators and anyone planning a locker area in the UK.