Grit Bins Guide: Essential Tips & Information

Winter brings with it the beauty of snowfall but also ushers in a less charming guest – the risk of slippery, hazardous conditions. Cold weather seems to be the one that affects UK businesses the most, with snow and ice causing havoc, from accidents to accessibility. A grit bin is one of the best ways to prepare for the colder months and keep your business or home running. 

Extreme weather conditions can substantially impact businesses. Whether you're a business owner or a facility manager, ensuring the safety of your employees and visitors in icy conditions is paramount. Grit bins, often overlooked but indispensable, are the unsung heroes of winter safety. Grit bins primarily hold salt or grit which both help dissolve snow and ice, whilst also helping prevent water from freezing.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of grit bins, providing essential information and tips to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Uses of Grit Bins

Grit bins, also known as salt bins or salt spreaders, serve a crucial role in maintaining safe walkways, driveways, and parking lots during the winter months. Their key uses include:

1. Icy Surface Prevention

The contents of grit bins are spread over icy surfaces to enhance traction. This helps prevent slips, trips, and falls, reducing the risk of accidents. 

Many people will opt for online services such as grocery delivery, online shopping, and more in extreme weather conditions. Whether you are a retailer or service provider, it’s likely that there is an online alternative to your business so it’s really important to maximise your chances of retaining customers and sales despite snow or ice. If your business is going to be open and you have clients or customers visit you, you have a duty of care in ensuring you protect visitors in making your shop, office or studio accessible to those who interact with your business. Your customers might feel uneasy about coming to you if they don’t feel safe and able to reach you, which is why having your own grit box comes in handy. Clearing the snow and icy paths to allow customers to visit your shop or business property more safely means you are helping support your business alive throughout bouts of extreme weather in extreme weather.

In addition to being able to reduce the chance of someone getting injured or hurt on your property, having and using a grit bin also helps to protect your business. If someone were to injure themselves on your property, you could potentially be liable and have to face a legal claim. But having a grit bin onsite will allow you to keep paths and roads clear so your business and customers are protected. 

2. Quick Response to Weather Conditions

When winter weather strikes unexpectedly, having a grit bin on hand means you can respond promptly. Whilst councils and local governments have systems in place to clear major roads and paths of snow and ice in the winter months, this often doesn’t extend to quieter roads or private properties. This means that it is often difficult to get around in certain areas while roads are clear of snow. For homeowners who have no choice but to leave their homes to get to work, drop their kids off at school and buy groceries, and businesses that need to keep running, being stuck at home isn’t an option.  Having a grit bin on site means you won't have to rely on external services or local council gritting services, allowing you to independently maintain safe conditions for your staff and customers from the moment conditions start to become hazardous.  This means you can limit the amount of disruptions that cold weather so often creates and carry on with your business operations with ease. 

3. Cost-Effective Solution

Investing in grit bins is a cost-effective approach to winter safety. It eliminates the need for continuous outsourcing of de-icing services, saving both time and money. Once you've made a grit bin purchase, you will be able to enjoy its benefits for years to come. Our grit bins are UV stabilised and made from sturdy, long-lasting materials which means they are built to withstand extreme weather and do not discolour or become brittle. They can be easily kept outside and accessed easily should you need to use them. 

If you want to control grit bin usage more tightly, you might want to opt for a lockable option. Our selection of plastic grit bins includes lockable grit bins and we also sell a range of heavy-duty padlocks, chains or locks. This is particularly useful for those looking to buy their grit bin for private use.

4. Customisable Application

Grit bins come in various sizes and styles, making it easy to integrate them into your property or business site's aesthetics and layout. You can choose from traditional to modern designs to suit your preferences, from 30l grit bins right up to 400l grit bins.

5. Eco-Friendly Option

Many grit products are eco-friendly and cause minimal harm to the environment. This ensures that you can maintain safety without compromising on the environment. Many of the grit bins stocked at Barriers Direct are also made from recycled materials, making them a more sustainable choice. 

Sizes of Grit Bins

Selecting the right size for your grit bin is crucial to ensure you have an adequate supply of de-icing material without overcommitting space or resources. During the height of winter, salt and grit reserves can become stretched as demand spikes, so it's vital you are prepared well ahead of time to take advantage of the benefits. 

Depending on how much grit you need to store for your organisation, you’ll need different sized plastic grit bins. At Barriers Direct, we stock a wide range of grit bins and grit boxes to suit your needs:

1. Small Grit Bins (20-50 litres)

• Ideal for residential or small business use.
• Compact and easily portable.
• Suited for smaller spaces and pedestrian pathways.
• Holds enough grit for quick, localised de-icing.

2. Medium Grit Bins (100-200 litres)

• Suitable for mid-sized businesses, schools, or public areas.
• Provides a balance between capacity and space-saving.
• Can cover larger areas and requires less frequent refilling.

3. Large Grit Bins (300-500 litres)

• Perfect for large commercial properties, industrial areas, and city centres.
• Designed for high-traffic zones and vast parking lots.
• Offers an extended supply of grit, reducing the need for constant replenishment.

4. Bulk Grit Bins (Over 500 litres)

• Intended for industrial and municipal use.
• Designed for frequent, heavy-duty application.
• Ensures a substantial supply of grit for continuous winter maintenance.

When making your choice, it's important to consider the foot traffic, the size of the commercial site or property, and the severity of winter weather conditions to make an informed decision.

Grit Bin FAQs

What size grit bin do I need?

The appropriate grit bin size depends on several factors, including the size of the area you need to cover and the severity of winter conditions. For smaller residential or pedestrian areas, a small to medium-sized bin may suffice. Larger commercial properties or areas with heavy traffic require larger bins, possibly even bulk-sized ones depending on the area you wish to cover and the frequency of usage. It's essential to assess your specific needs - if you need some support you can contact our sales team, we would be more than happy to assist you. 

Can anyone use council grit bins?

Council grit bins are usually intended for public use, especially in areas where public safety is paramount. They are strategically placed to ensure that residents and businesses have easy access to salt or grit during icy conditions. However, it's crucial to check with your local council to understand the regulations and usage guidelines for these bins.

Are grit bins for public use?

Many grit bins are designed for public use, making them accessible to businesses, residents, and property managers. Public access to grit bins is an essential aspect of community safety during winter. However, it's essential to maintain and refill the bins as needed to ensure a continuous supply of grit for everyone.

Are salt bins for public use?

Salt bins, like grit bins, are commonly intended for public use, but their usage guidelines may vary by location. Due to the high demand for grit salt when it’s snowy weather, public grit boxes are often found empty. To avoid being disappointed and left without a solution for slippery pavements and roads, invest in a grit bin for your home or business. Salt bins are stocked with rock salt or similar de-icing materials and can be accessed by the public to enhance safety on walkways and roads. Check with your local authorities to determine the specific regulations and usage policies for salt bins in your area.

In conclusion, grit bins are crucial assets for ensuring safety during the UK's icy winters. Understanding their uses and size options is vital for making informed purchase decisions. By choosing the right size grit bin and adhering to local regulations, you can contribute to a safer environment for your business and the community during the winter months. Don't wait for the first snowfall; invest in a grit bin now to be prepared for whatever winter brings your way.

Looking for other Winter security essentials?

Mailboxes

Never worry about missed deliveries or porch pirates again! Parcel and mailboxes provide a secure and convenient solution for receiving packages and letters, even when you're not home - particularly handy in the lead up to the festive period when online shopping increases.

Ladder Sentrys

Prevent unauthorised scaling of ladders with a secure ladder sentry. This product comes highly recommended and fits most ladders in seconds. 

Handbrake and Steering Wheel Locks

Looking to travel away from home this Christmas? Leave your car behind safe in the knowledge it’s well protected from theft with our high-quality steering wheel and handbrake locks manufactured by leading suppliers.

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