As a business owner, you may want to provide a permanent smoking shelter for your staff and customers, and you may be wondering how to go about it. Installing a smoking shelter isn't a legal requirement for businesses, but providing amenities for both your staff and customers who are smokers is essential for creating a welcoming environment. For those who smoke, having a designated smoking area promotes a comfortable experience and demonstrates your commitment to their needs.
In this guide, we'll explore the steps to creating a permanent smoking shelter for your establishment.
Smoking Shelters Regulations Overview
Firstly, do you need to install a smoking shelter? No, there is no legal requirement to install a smoking shelter as a business. It is a voluntary nice thing you can do for your staff, clients and visitors, so we definitely recommend it.
Can you use smoking shelters for vaping, or do you need a separate vaping shelter? Again, there is no legal requirement to provide a vaping shelter and vaping shelters are not regulated in the same way smoking ones are. So, yes, you can use a smoking shelter as a vaping one, but consider that some vapers vape to quit smoking, and they may not want to be around cigarettes.
What are the requirements of smoking shelters? In short, smoking shelters can't be substantially or entirely enclosed and must follow the 50% rule. This means they must have openings to the outside, and at least 50% of the perimeter under the roof must be open space to ensure proper ventilation.
This here covers just the basics of smoking regulation when it comes to shelters. We recommend you read our longer guides on smoking shelter rules and our article on vaping shelters, which go into a lot of detail.
Now, here is the step-by-step guide on how to get a smoking shelter.
Step 1: Planning Permission
Once you are aware of the basic legalities surrounding shelters, you need to keep in mind that there are often local council rules which may differ slightly based on your location. So, start by contacting your local authority's Planning Services for their advice and, if applicable, the necessary forms to apply for planning approval. In many cases, when it comes to permanent structures, you may be required to get planning permission first.
Step 2: Building Regulations
Once you have figured out if you need planning permission, check to see if the shelter will need Building Regulation approval. There may be no need for this if the shelter is small and not attached to a building, but it is still worth checking to avoid any costly mistakes further down the road.
In some local councils, if the floor area of the shelter is greater than15m², there may be restrictions if the shelter is within one metre of a boundary. And then, if the shelter is very large, over 30m², you will almost certainly need Building Regulation approval.
Step 3: Choose Your Location
Your location will depend a lot on your available outdoor space. However, when deciding where to install your smoking shelter, select a location that is convenient for smokers but does not disrupt non-smokers. Most importantly, don't violate any regulations and check your local rules.
Carefully consider these:
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Could my shelter cause noise problems for neighbouring properties?
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Could my shelter cause rubbish problems for neighbouring properties?
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Could my shelter cause light pollution to people in neighbouring properties?
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Could my shelter cause smoke problems for neighbouring properties?
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Does my shelter comply with the 50% rule, especially if one of the sides will be a building wall?
Step 4: Choosing Your Smoking Shelter
Your smoking shelter should be well-designed, sturdy, and, most importantly, legal! To avoid any expensive mistakes and getting fined, you must carefully select your smoking shelter and ensure it complies with the 50% rule we mentioned above. Remember your shelter can not be fully or substantially closed; 50% of its space must always remain open. This means any doors and windows that can be shut will be counted as solid walls, not openings, so be careful when choosing a model.
Following the rule doesn't mean your smoking shelter needs to be fully open and provide no protection for smokers. An example of a well-enclosed and fully compliant smoking shelter is our Four-Sided Smoking Shelter – it offers substantial cover, is still open enough, and abides by the 50% rule.
Another tip is to use materials that are weather-resistant and easy to maintain. It is always a great idea to see if you can find a shelter that uses fire-resistant materials like our Venue Smoking Shelter, which uses 3mm fire and impact-resilient translucent polycarbonate with UV protection.
Step 5: Choose Your Add-Ons
This is entirely up to you, and it is a step you can skip, but we really recommend going a step further. Equip the smoking shelter with comfortable seating, ashtrays, and possibly lighting for use during evenings or dark days and bad weather. Providing amenities will enhance the experience for smokers and encourage their use of the shelter.
Additionally, providing things like ashtrays or bins will keep your space cleaner and more organised and won't get you in trouble with the neighbouring properties.
Step 6: Construction and Installation
Once you have settled on a shelter and ordered it, it is important to install it properly so that it is secured to the ground. It is important to hire a reputable contractor who can do good work. We offer full installation services. However, hiring locally is often more cost-effective, so get different quotes and see what fits your needs and budget best.
Once you install the smoking shelter and ensure it is securely anchored to the ground to withstand wind and weather, you are ready to make the big announcement.
Step 7: Communicate with Staff and Customers
Once you've put your new shelter in place, you can inform your staff and customers about the new smoking shelter, its location, and any guidelines or rules associated with its use.
By following these steps, you can create a permanent smoking shelter that provides a comfortable and convenient space for smokers while also ensuring compliance with regulations and consideration for non-smokers. Just make sure you clean the space regularly and provide some light maintenance of the smoking shelter to ensure its longevity and functionality.