| Most schools have lockers available to students in their | | | | There are some corridor lockers that are designed |
| halls, as well as in their athletic areas. Lockers can | | | | with vents, or louvers, on the doors. Others remain |
| prove to be very useful to safely store books, clothing, | | | | completely solid. In most ways it is better to use doors |
| and equipment. They are, however, frequently at risk | | | | with vents, because they increase airflow between |
| of being damaged. It is important for every high school | | | | the hallway and locker interior. This ventilation will help |
| to have lockers designed to withstand student use on | | | | to prevent rust and reduce odors. |
| a regular basis. | | | | In addition to lockers for sports and academic |
| High school locker units are often abused, overfilled, | | | | purposes, many schools also have classroom project |
| slammed shut, and even bumped into by students in | | | | lockers. Students do not use the individual units as |
| crowded halls. Sweaty sports equipment and wet | | | | frequently. Wider, stacked lockers may be best in this |
| raincoats can contribute to the interiors of the student | | | | situation, so they are wide enough for projects. If |
| lockers rusting. Hinges, latches, and hangers must be | | | | surface space in the classroom is a concern, sloped |
| designed to withstand frequent use throughout the | | | | tops are probably not going to be the best choice. |
| day. | | | | The type of latches and locks used on high school |
| So what can be done to make sure they are | | | | lockers are also an important consideration. Their |
| designed to have adequate durability? High schools | | | | durability, ease of use, and replacement process |
| should try to choose corridor lockers that are | | | | should be taken into account. Locking options include |
| well-made and have features like sloped tops and | | | | built-in combination locks, separate padlocks, and |
| angle iron construction. An included long-term warranty | | | | key-locks. |
| often indicates that the manufacturer is confident in | | | | Even if a high school locker is well designed to |
| their product's quality. | | | | withstand student use, damage can be further |
| Sloped tops reinforce locker units and prevent items | | | | prevented by putting it in a desirable location. Schools |
| from being left on top of them, which could leak inside | | | | should avoid placing student lockers where they are |
| or cause rusting. Dark colored high school locker doors | | | | susceptible to graffiti or exposure to moisture from |
| don't show rust, dirt, or graffiti as much as white or | | | | opening doors. It's also good to keep them away from |
| beige units; lighter colored floors and walls can help | | | | the most heavily crowded areas. |
| prevent rooms and hallways from appearing dark. | | | | Overall, choosing well designed student lockers and |
| It is important to not only consider how well they are | | | | installing them in good locations makes them a better |
| designed, but the size of the school locker units. If they | | | | investment for the school by reducing repair, |
| are too small for the items students want to put in | | | | maintenance, and replacement costs in the future. |
| them, more stress will be put on each locker by | | | | School locker units not only provide better |
| students overfilling them and squeezing large objects | | | | convenience to students, but reduce clutter and wet |
| through the doorway. This also reduces airflow and | | | | clothing within classrooms. |
| promotes rust. | | | | |