Outdoor shelters from KC Supply keep your people and equipment protected from the weather while keeping sites tidy and compliant. Our range covers smoking shelters, cycle shelters, wheeled-bin shelters, wall-mounted units and outdoor storage canopies — built from galvanised and powder-coated steel for years of service outside. Below is a quick guide to choosing the right type; for a fuller walkthrough see our smoking shelter & cycle shelter buying guide.
Smoking shelters
A smoking shelter moves smokers away from doorways, windows and air intakes, controls cigarette litter and gives staff a defined, weather-protected area. Crucially, a compliant shelter must keep at least 50% of its sides permanently open so it does not count as a "substantially enclosed" smoke-free space under the Health Act 2006. Every shelter in our smoking shelters range is designed that way. For a plain-English walkthrough of the 50% rule, siting and planning permission, see our smoking shelter regulations guide.
Choose from wall-mounted shelters that fix back to an existing wall for the smallest footprint and lowest cost; economy and open-fronted free-standing shelters that can be sited anywhere there is a firm base; and larger panelled shelters for higher headcounts. Frames are steel with a galvanised or powder-coated finish, and roof and side infills are impact-resistant glazing. Size on realistic peak use — around half a metre of standing space per person — and add a cigarette bin to keep the area clean.
Cycle shelters
Secure, covered cycle parking supports staff cycling to work and is increasingly required by local planning conditions and BREEAM. Our cycle shelters pair a weatherproof roof with Sheffield (inverted-U) or toast-rack stands that hold a bike securely by its frame. For lasting outdoor durability look for hot-dip galvanised steel — the recognised standard is BS EN ISO 1461 — with an optional powder-coated colour finish. Where bike theft is a concern, an enclosed, lockable cycle compound gives stronger protection than an open shelter. Specify on peak demand and leave room to extend, as cycle parking fills quickly.
Bin shelters & outdoor storage
Our bin shelters keep wheeled bins tidy and screened from view, while outdoor storage canopies, vaults and stores provide covered, secure space for equipment that needs to live outside. If you are already installing a smoking or cycle shelter, it is often efficient to sort bin storage at the same time, as the groundworks and installation visit can cover both. For sizing, siting and fire-safety pointers, see our bin stores & wheelie bin shelters buying guide.
Choosing & siting your shelter
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Base: most shelters need a firm, level surface (concrete or paving) and are bolted down — check the required base size before ordering and confirm no buried services run beneath the fixings.
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Location: keep smoking shelters a sensible distance from entrances and ventilation; site cycle shelters where they are overlooked and well lit, close to the entrance people use.
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Exposure: orient open-fronted shelters away from the prevailing wind so they stay usable in bad weather.
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Capacity: size on peak use and choose ranges that extend in bays rather than needing replacement.
Our shelters come from established UK manufacturers including GPC Industries and WSM, covering economy and wall-mounted smoking shelters, galvanised cycle shelters, wheeled-bin shelters and outdoor storage vaults. Need secure caged storage for gas cylinders or equipment outdoors? See our storage cages range. For help specifying the right shelter and base size for your site, get in touch with our team.
Smoking & cycle shelter FAQs
Do you legally have to provide a smoking shelter? No. UK smoke-free law makes enclosed workplaces smoke-free but does not require you to provide a smoking area. Most employers install a shelter to keep smokers away from doorways and to control litter. Any shelter you do provide must keep over 50% of its sides open so it is not classed as enclosed.
What makes a smoking shelter compliant? It must not be "substantially enclosed" — ignoring openings, no more than 50% of the perimeter may be walled. Purpose-built smoking shelters are designed with at least half their sides permanently open, which is why they have a roof and only partial panelling.
What is the best material for an outdoor shelter? Steel or aluminium frames with a galvanised or powder-coated finish for weather resistance; cycle shelters are best in hot-dip galvanised steel (to BS EN ISO 1461). Roof and side panels are usually impact-resistant polycarbonate glazing.
How big a shelter do I need? Size on realistic peak use, not total headcount. Allow roughly half a metre of standing space per person for smoking shelters, and choose cycle and smoking shelters from ranges that can be extended in bays as demand grows.
GPC Industries SSV01Z
