Providing a designated smoking area is an important consideration for many workplaces and public venues. A well-planned smoking shelter helps keep smoking away from entrances, walkways and shared spaces while giving employees and visitors a practical place to use during breaks.
However, choosing the right location is not simply a case of placing a shelter wherever there is available space. Facilities managers need to consider legal requirements, site layout, user comfort, accessibility and the impact on other building users.
This guide explains the key factors to consider when deciding where to locate a smoking shelter.
Keep Smoking Areas Away from Building Entrances
One of the most important considerations is distance from doors, windows and ventilation points.
A smoking shelter should be positioned far enough away from entrances and windows to prevent smoke drifting into the building or affecting people entering and leaving the premises, as well as smoke going inside when windows are open. Areas immediately outside reception doors, staff entrances or busy pedestrian routes are usually unsuitable.
A good location is often a quieter part of the site boundary or a dedicated outdoor area that naturally separates smokers from non-smokers.
Choose a Location with Good Accessibility
That said, a smoking shelter should be out of the way but also easy for users to find and access, without interfering with normal site operations. The issue with shelters which are hard to get to is that people may not notice they are there or may think it’s too inconvenient to go all the way there and keep smoking in random locations.
When thinking about location, consider:
- The walking distance from main staff areas
- Safe routes during poor weather
- Lighting levels for early mornings and evenings
- Whether the route is suitable for all users
- Whether the shelter creates an obstruction for vehicles or pedestrians
For larger workplaces, hospitals, offices and industrial sites, you may need to get more creative and choose a solution like multiple smaller shelters near different exits, which may be more practical than one large smoking area.
Consider Wind Direction and Smoke Movement
Wind direction plays a major role in how effective a smoking shelter location will be. The issue here is that you shouldn’t allow smoke to go inside the building, defeating the whole purpose of a smoking shelter and a smoke-free workplace. This applies to your own building and neighbouring ones, as neighbours would have the right to complain if your smoking shelter is causing issues on their property.
Before installation, observe how air moves around the site. Avoid placing shelters directly below open windows, near air intake systems or in areas where smoke is likely to be carried towards entrances and occupied spaces.
A sheltered area that offers protection from prevailing weather conditions can improve user comfort while lessening the likelihood of smoke affecting nearby areas.
Ensure the Shelter Meets Smoke-Free Requirements
In the UK, smoking is prohibited in enclosed workplaces and public buildings. Any smoking shelter must be designed so that it remains sufficiently open and does not become a substantially enclosed space. This is known colloquially as the 50% rule, which translates into at least 50% of the sheltered space under the roof needs to be open.
Facilities managers should consider shelter design alongside location. Open-fronted shelters, wall-mounted canopies and purpose-designed smoking shelters, like ours, can provide weather protection while helping businesses maintain a compliant outdoor smoking area.
Think About Capacity and Usage
The right location depends on how many people are likely to use the shelter at peak times. A small office may only need a compact shelter close to staff facilities. At the same time, larger workplaces, warehouses, hospitals or hospitality venues may require a larger structure with additional features, or, like we said, multiple smaller ones.
We offer smoking shelters in a range of sizes, including smaller shelters for limited numbers of users and larger solutions designed for busy workplaces and public sites. Options can include features such as seating, lighting and ash disposal facilities depending on the requirements of the site. Still, they are typically always a good idea because they significantly increase user comfort.
Avoid High-Risk or Inconvenient Areas
When selecting a location, avoid areas that could create safety issues or disturb operations, starting with the obvious ones like near fuel storage or flammable materials. Avoid emergency exits and loading bays or vehicle routes which have a higher possibility of accidents.
As we mentioned above, be mindful of neighbouring buildings too, so areas overlooked by nearby residential properties where smoke may cause complaints are also to be avoided. Furthermore, there can be issues with litter and noise which can also lead to complaints.
A short site survey before installation can help identify potential problems before they become turn issues.
Consider Shelter Type and Installation Surface
The surrounding environment can influence which type of smoking shelter is most suitable.
For buildings with limited outdoor space, a wall-mounted smoking canopy may be a sensible choice. Larger sites may benefit from freestanding open-fronted shelters that provide more capacity and flexibility.
Our smoking shelters can generally be installed on suitable hard surfaces such as concrete, paving or tarmac, making them suitable for a variety of commercial environments.
Create a Cleaner, More Organised Outdoor Area
A designated smoking shelter does more than provide cover from the weather. It helps create a clear boundary between smoking and non-smoking areas, reduces informal smoking around entrances and can make site management easier.
Adding practical features such as seating, ashtrays and waste bins can also help keep the surrounding area tidy and improve the experience for users.
Final Checklist Before Installing a Smoking Shelter
Before choosing the final location, ask:
- Is it away from doors and windows?
- Will smoke be carried away from occupied areas?
- Will it avoid disrupting vehicles, pedestrians or emergency access?
- Is the route safe and accessible?
- Does the shelter design meet smoke-free requirements?
- Is there anything the neighbours could complain about, such as smoke, noise or litter?
- Is there enough space for expected users?
- Are there ashtrays and bins to limit litter?
- Is there seating and lighting to make sure it is a comfortable space for users?
- Is the location suitable all year round?
Choosing the correct position for a smoking shelter calls for careful planning, but the result is a safer, cleaner and more organised outdoor facility. With a range of UK-made smoking shelters, including wall-mounted, open-fronted and enclosed-style options, we can help facilities managers identify a solution that suits their site, capacity requirements and operational needs.