Handi-Hut was chosen because the superior engineering and design on their shelters met the budget requirements of this growing transportation authority.

Comfortable and attractive bus stop shelters are a much appreciated amenity that helps entice passengers to take the bus instead of their car.

While there are many types of outdoor survival shelter; there are certain basic points which should be kept in mind, like:
• Firstly, you need to think that the shelter should adequately protect you from rain, snow, wind and heat.
• Calculate the time and effort needed to builds the shelter.
• Think whether you have the tools and material to make the shelter.
• If you don’t have the materials and tools handy, think whether you have alternatives with which you can build the outdoor survival shelter.

These are some of the considerations you should make before you build an outdoor survival shelter. And in case, you have planned in advance to go out for a mountaineering expedition or other adventures for a couple of days, always remember to carry the necessary tools and materials to build the outdoor survival shelter. Also remember to keep adequate clothing and food materials in stock.

Types of Outdoor Survival Shelter
There are a wide variety of outdoor survival shelters like, like poncho, debris hut, tent, one- pole parachute tepee, no-pole parachute tepee, parachute hammock, one-man shelter, swamp bed, tree-pit snow shelter, beach shade shelter, natural shelter and many others. Out of these, there are a few which could be easily built, without much effort and time. For instance, the two most popular outdoor survival shelters can be built in the following manner:

How to Build a Poncho?
You only need a poncho, 2-3 meters of rope, two trees or poles which are 2-3 meters apart and three stakes of about 40-50 centimeters length. Before making the poncho or lean-to, remember to check the wind direction as you need to face the direction of the blowing wind. First of all, open the hood of the poncho, pull the drawstrings, roll the hood length-wise and tie it with a drawstring. Cut the rope in two halves and tie it to the either end of the poncho. Fix a stick to each rope and tie them high on the trees. Now spread the poncho and anchor it to the ground, by putting sharp sticks into the ground through the grommets. And your poncho or lean-to is ready for use.

How to Make Debris Hut?
Another easy-to-build yet highly efficient outdoor survival shelter is the debris hut. You can easily build it by making a tripod with two short stakes and a long ridgepole. Place the ridgepole against a tree or in the tripod format. Fix large sticks along both sides of the ridgepole to create a wedge like ribbing and place small thin sticks and brush crosswire on the ribbing. Add smaller and light-weight debris on the ribbing and place some insulating material inside the shelter. Your debris hut is ready to be inhabited.

These are the two most common and easy-to-build outdoor survival shelters which you can make in any type of climate and situation. The other outdoor survival shelters can be built depending on situation, materials and tools available; so practice making some before you step out.

The shelter rooms can be located inside the building like house, office or school or could be installed and properly maintained outside the premises as well. Usually, in time of emergency, you may get an instruction from public safety officials that you need to ‘shelter in place’, which means you need to rush to your shelter rooms at the earliest and hence these rooms have to be kept prepared all year round.

How to Prepare Shelter Rooms?
Preparation of shelter rooms depends on the kind of emergency that might arise, like chemical leak out, tornado, bombings, radiological contamination or other hazards. However, in general, there are certain instructions which one should follow while preparing a shelter room. Some of them are as follows:
• Most importantly, the shelter room should not have too many doors and windows; ideally a large with one window or door is fine.
• Always remember to choose a room which is well-connected to water supply or a bathroom.
• Try to have a medical kit, handy.
• Keep a land-phone or wireless connected to the shelter room. Avoid using a mobile phone, since the lines may get jammed during emergency.
• Contact your workplaces, nursing homes, child’s school and government officials to know about their shelter plans and also to keep them aware about your plans.
• Discuss the emergency plan with all your family members and make them aware of the shelter room, so that each one knows what to do exactly, during an emergency.
• Always remember to keep your pets inside a basket or some container or cover them with a blanket since they are prone to get injured easily.
• Try to keep some food material and water bottles.
• Check whether you can hear the security alarms of the city officials, when you are inside the shelter room. Try to keep a transistor, handy with you, so that you are aware of the security warnings, even if you cannot switch on the TV.

About Shelter Rooms
Shelter rooms must be prepared not only in houses, but also in offices, schools, hospitals and other public places as well, so that people are safe during emergencies. The concerned authorities should take adequate care to build such rooms especially in schools and offices, where many lives are involved. Conference rooms or assembly halls are ideal places in schools and offices for a shelter room, since both these rooms have lesser windows, are spacious, have telephone connections and are comparatively safer.

Once the emergency is over and people are requested to come out of their ‘shelter in place’ by city officials, always remember to wait outside the house for sometime so that fresh air can circulate and open all your doors and windows. Also remember to clean and prepare the shelter room again for some other emergency.

Pub Smoking Shelter Design
Since pub smoking shelter is located outside the pub, the material of the smoking shelter must be of the finest quality. Frequent weather changes and extremes of snow or rainfall should be considered while constructing the pub smoking shelter. As per the government legislation, the smoking shelter should be 50% covered with walls and roof, so companies have specifically designed smoking shelters which match the government specifications. So, you are left with a wide variety of choices in terms of suppliers, material used, roof structure, framing and color used for building the smoking shelter. For instance, you can choose your roof option from barrel-vault, single-slope, flat, dome-shaped, hip, gable or curved style or your own customized idea.

Among the material used for making pub smoking shelter, you can opt from architectural aluminum, tile, wooden shakes, translucent polycarbonate, monolithic polycarbonate or safety glass option. Along with this, you can choose the finish, like powder-coat finish, galvanized, anodized, steel or aluminum finish. Some of the smoking shelters also come with proper seating arrangement for few, while others may stand and enjoy smoking, and outdoor ashtrays. The color options also are aplenty; so you can easily customize the pub smoking shelter according to your budget and requirement.

Use of Pub Smoking Shelter
Pub smoking shelter is an extremely useful and essential structure which should be present in all pubs. However, there are some pubs which have completely banned smoking and have not installed these outdoor smoking shelters as well. Since pubs are places which are frequently visited by people, mostly in large groups and hence are generally crowded; it is extremely essential to have separate smoking shelters for smokers, since everybody might not be enjoying the cigarette smoke. Also the cigarette smoke causes suffocation for many, so pub smoking shelters must be installed in all pubs.

Pub Smoking Shelter Advantages
These pub smoking shelters have a list of advantages like:
• They help in maintaining the indoor air quality and keep it smoke-free
• These shelters are extremely durable, so they are life-long investments
• They are weather-proof and can be easily installed against an existing structure
• They end doorway confrontations between smokers and non-smokers
• Maintenance of these shelters is quite easy
So, though smoking in pubs has been banned by the government; smokers need not worry since pub smoking shelter has arrived exclusively for all of you.

These smoking shelters canopies come in various colors and design patterns like flat, ridged, hip, pyramid-shaped, dome shaped, barrel-vault or curved. One can choose a translucent or metal based canopy, depending on the surrounding and usage. Some of the smoking shelters with canopies also have adequate seating arrangements for the smokers and free-standing ashtrays. Always remember to check the lighting system of the smoking shelters canopy, since most of them are meant for outdoor installation and hence have to face rough weather conditions. As a result, the lighting system might get damaged frequently and this might not go well down the smokers, since they would not like smoking in the dark. Apart from the industry offered forms and structures, you also have the option of customizing the canopy according to your budget and requirements. Most of the suppliers even install these smoking shelters canopies for their customers.

Wooden smoking shelters canopies

Apart from the regular metal or translucent smoking shelters canopies, you can also opt for a thatched wooden roof canopy which looks extremely elegant and stylish at the same time. These canopies are available in a wide range of square, circular or oval roof pattern and can be installed outside pubs and restaurants for smoking as well as dining purposes. Bench seating combined with heating and lighting options and timber screening adds a special touch to these wooden canopies which can create an ideal al fresco environment.

The best part of these smoking shelters canopies is that it allows smokers to enjoy the best of both the inside as well as outside world, since they can enjoy a smoke while standing below an open-air smoking shelter with canopy while watching the drizzle or snowfall. So, all those from the hospitality business and employers, just install a smoking shelter canopy, outside your restaurant, pub or office and please the smokers as well as non-smokers.

i-SHELTER Lights
The city of Seattle generally enjoys an average of 96 sunny days in a year, but still the King County Metro Transit authority has set up solar powered lights in Seattle bus shelters which in fact are running absolutely fine. This unique bus shelter lighting, called i-SHELTER, is manufactured by Carmanah Technologies, and has been installed in most of the Seattle bus shelters. These lights are truly unique since they combine both solar power as well as software methodology. The solar energy is tapped in batteries and the software regulates the light output; thus saving energy as well as producing eco-friendly form of electricity. These solar powered lights have been specially designed keeping in mind the weather variations in Seattle and are much brighter than traditional lighting.

Seattle Bus Shelter Designs
Apart from the lighting system, Seattle bus shelter is also in the news because of its one-of-a-kind mural paintings on the walls of the bus shelters. The local people of Seattle have taken the initiative of decorating the walls of the bus shelters in their local areas with beautiful and vibrant mural paintings. Musical instruments, flowers, fairies and other imaginary characters become the subject of these paintings which are done in bright colors like red, orange, green, purple, brown, black, yellow and others. These brightly painted Seattle bus shelters look extremely attractive and the local people also have a touch of their own art at their local bus stand.

About Seattle Bus Shelter

Not only the lights and paintings, the exclusive features available at the Seattle bus shelter also make them stand out from the crowd. The web accessibility available in these bus shelters allows commuters to be in touch with the internet, even when they are waiting for a bus. The electronic machines, which are automated, announce the arrival of next bus and commuters also can view the bus charts which are pasted at the Seattle bus shelters for detailed information. The push-button audio option allows blind passengers to know about the arrival and departure of buses, without having anyone else to assist them. The Seattle bus shelters also have comfortable and spacious seating arrangements for commuters. These bus shelters are properly guarded against the weather fluctuations and hence enable the commuters to have a safe waiting experience at bus stops.

The Seattle bus shelters have become a model for many cities, which soon installed bus shelters with similar or added features.

Suppliers of Smoking Shelter
If one starts searching for a list of smoking shelter suppliers on the internet, then he is bound to get a list of names. While some of them offer huge discounts on their products, some others might offer attractive packages like free installation or gifts on buying a product or any other such discount. However, one needs to be extra careful before choosing a smoking shelter supplier since the material used in making a shelter is of prime importance. So, one should choose a trusted brand name so that one is sure about the quality of the material, price and overall delivery and installation process.

Handi-hut smoking shelters
Among many other suppliers of bus shelters, a trusted brand name is Handi-hut, which is a premier smoking shelter supplier and has been in the business for more than three decades. The company mainly specializes in designing pre-fabricated modular glass and aluminum shelters. The company’s wide range of product portfolio includes items like smoking shelters, cart corrals, bus shelters, advertising shelters covered walkways, customizable enclosures, side walk shelters and entry canopies. The company not only offers manufactured items but also designs specially customized products to meet its client requirements. The company enjoys a wide customer base and is a trusted brand name among smoking shelter suppliers.

The shelters made by Handi-hut have been in use in different industries, like hospitals, universities, manufacturing units, hotels, factories, various offices, pubs and other public areas in US and Puerto Rico. The company delivers cheap yet highly durable and attractive modular shelters to all its clients and hence has been a leader among smoking shelter suppliers.

About Handi-hut smoking shelters

Handi-hut had been primarily developing shelters for train stations and bus stops, but later expanded its horizon towards developing smoking shelters. The Handi-hut smoking shelters are extremely durable and easy to install and hence have been a favorite with one and all. The Handi-hut smoking shelters come in different shapes, sizes, colors and designs. While some have domed roofs, others have historical or barrel vault or hip roof. Most of them are made of excellent quality aluminum and glass. Most of them have a glazed finish with domed roof, side walls, windscreen if required and will be fabricated. The frame is made in such a way that it remains steady even without roof domes. If the client wants backrest and seating options, then the shelters would be designed accordingly. All smoking shelters of Handi-hut come with a one-year guarantee against defects in workmanship.

So, if you are still wondering to check the list of smoking shelter suppliers on the internet, think no more and check the website of Handi-hut, right away!

Why smoking shelter?
Smoking shelter mainly has gained huge popularity in UK due to the legislation on smoking, which discourages smoking in public or in ‘substantially enclosed premises’. This ban has been primarily introduced to prevent non-smokers from the ill effects of smoking and as a result smoking in restaurants, pubs, offices, shopping centre, cinema halls, parks, bars, offices, public transport and other public areas has been completely banned. As a result, the smoking shelters are specially designed keeping in mind the legal permit of smoking in an area which is ‘substantially enclosed’, meaning 50% of the premises has opening for air passage. Hence, the smoking shelter suppliers have developed structures which have 50% of opening and suit the needs of the customers.

Smoking shelter design
The smoking shelter is available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs. For instance, the roof of the shelter can be domed, flat, single-slope, barrel vault, curved or hip form so that snow and rain does not accumulate on the roof. While some of the smoking shelters might have a single wall, others might be free standing or even portable types, so that you can easily carry them, during picnics or parties. While some of the smoking shelter might be made of translucent polycarbonate, others might be made of acrylic, tile, wooden shakes, monolithic polycarbonate or architectural aluminum. While some might have an anodized or galvanized finish, others might have a powder coat or standard aluminum finish. You always have the option of customizing the size, color, roof pattern, material and finish of the smoking shelter, you are planning to install.

About smoking shelter
However, before installing a smoking shelter, always keep in mind the weather of the region, since the material to be used would largely depend on the weather variations. Comfort of the smokers is also a prime concern and hence some smoking shelters have proper seating arrangement, so that some people can sit while others can stand and enjoy smoking. Proper ventilation is also an important aspect of smoking shelter, since the air is likely to get polluted with cigarette smoke quite easily, but this should not choke the smokers or cause them discomfort. Smoking shelters should be installed at a safe and secure place so that non-smokers do not have to confront these shelters at any point of time. Ashtrays and proper cleaning of cigarette butts should be done constantly to keep the shelter clean and safe.

These are some of the important tips about smoking shelters which one should always keep in mind before installing a smoking shelter, so that the world has lesser amount of death due to passive smoking.

As a result, outdoor smoking shelter is becoming an effective and extremely popular means of offering a secure and dry smoking zone for smokers. The pre-fabricated outdoor smoking shelters allow smokers to enjoy smoking outside the office interiors and also help the non-smokers to avoid confrontation with people smoking at the office corridor, doorways and other areas.

Establishing Outdoor Smoking Shelter
One of the most important things that one should keep in mind while installing an outdoor smoking shelter is weather conditions and the location of the shelter. The outdoor smoking shelter should be set up keeping in mind the frequent weather changes in UK, which should not stop the smokers from enjoying a quick smoke. One should also keep in mind the wind direction before installing an outdoor smoking shelter since the shelter should provide maximum shelter against wind. Also you should try to utilize the existing infrastructure facilities in order to reduce the cost of setting up an outdoor smoking shelter.

An outdoor smoking shelter should have proper ventilation so that people do not feel choked with the cigarette fumes. So, while you decide to set up an outdoor smoking shelter, remember to keep some space at both the top and bottom ends so that fresh air keeps coming in the room.

Kinds of Outdoor Smoking Shelters
The outdoor smoking shelters come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs which makes it easier for people to choose these, depending on their budget and requirement. While some of them are made of translucent polycarbonate, other options include acrylic, wooden shakes, architectural aluminum, monolithic polycarbonate or safety glass. You can also choose the roof of the outdoor smoking shelter like flat, dome, single-slope, gable, curved, single-slope, barrel vault or others. You also have the option of choosing galvanized finish, standard aluminum finish, steel finish, powder coat finish or your own choice. You can even select the wall configurations, like, free-standing, roof-to-ground, open at top, open at bottom or attached to existing building or structure. Some of them are even portable ones which you can just choose while going for a picnic as they can be installed without any hassles. The best part about these outdoor smoking shelters is that all of them can be customized according to your own choice and need.

Benefits of Outdoor Smoking Shelters
The outdoor smoking shelters have a host of benefits like:
• They are extremely durable and weather resistant
• They help in maintaining the freshness of interior air quality for non-smokers
• They are fire-resistant
• They are attractive and safe smoking zones
• They provide long-term solutions and are easy to set up
So, all those employers and owners of hotels, pubs and other public entertainment spaces can now breathe a sigh of relief and satisfy both smoking and non-smoking employees and customers with these environment-friendly outdoor smoking shelters.

Objective of bus shelter design

A bus shelter design should primarily serve four main objectives, which are as follows:

Visibility: the most important aspect in bus shelter design to be considered before its installation is the visibility factor. People should be clearly able to see the bus coming and should not be forced to step outside the shelter to locate the bus. Both seated as well as standing commuters should be able to spot the bus arriving from a distance, so that they can catch it easily.

Comfort: another important aspect in bus shelter design is the comfort factor. There should be proper seating arrangements for commuters, air passage should be clear and it should not become suffocating if it’s a bit crowded and safety of passengers is a must. The bus shelter should be properly lit at night and people should also be well-guarded against weather hazards.

Accessible: the bus shelter should be designed in such a manner that people should comfortably be able to access the bus when it comes. The designing of the bus shelter should not obstruct the path.

Bus route information: most commuters would like to know the schedule of the buses coming to that particular stop. So, an ideal bus shelter would have a proper time schedule as well as a route chart of the buses coming to that stop.
So, these are the four most significant features that should be considered while designing a good bus shelter.

About bus shelter design
Apart from these specifications, a bus shelter design should be made of good material, so that it can resist the different weather conditions and provide maximum comfort to commuters. The modern-day bus shelters come in a wide variety of designs and sizes. While some might have a dome shaped roof others might have a single-slope or flat roof. However, pitched roof is ideal since it prevents rain water and snow collection on the bus shelters. Seating areas must also be thoroughly concerned while designing a bus shelter, since commuters would always like to have a pleasant waiting experience at a bus stop.

Some of the bus shelter designing would have space for advertisements as well, which not only makes the shelters attractive but also reduces the cost of installation and maintenance for civic authorities.

Apart from the design of bus shelter, the maintenance aspect should also be thoroughly considered before its installation. A clean city with well-designed bus shelters facilitating the public transport system would make life much easier.