Site Storage Boxes: A UK Buyer's Guide to the Securasite Lockbox

A site storage box is a lockable steel box that keeps tools and equipment in one place on site, in a van, in a workshop or in a depot. You will also hear it called a site box, a job box or a van box. This guide covers how to choose one: size, lock, handling, and what you can and cannot put inside. The worked example is the Securasite Lockbox, sold in a 32 inch and a 48 inch size.

32 inch Lockbox

813 x 483 x 447mm external (W x D x H)

1.4mm steel body. Padlock not supplied.

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48 inch Lockbox

1219 x 610 x 701mm external (W x D x H)

1.4mm steel body. Padlock not supplied.

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Buying for a team or a project? Request a quote for several boxes or a mixed order, or call us on 0330 056 4420.

What is a site storage box?

A site storage box is a heavy steel container for tools and portable equipment. It has a top-opening lid, handles for positioning and a way to lock the lid, either with your own padlock or with locks built into the box. Many stand on raised feet or skids so a forklift can get underneath.

The names overlap. Site box, job box, jobsite box, truck box and van box all describe similar products. A site box is usually positioned on site or in a depot, and a van box is usually fixed inside a vehicle. Plenty of boxes do both, so judge a box on its size, its lock and how you plan to move or fix it, not on the name.

A site box is for tools, equipment and consumables. It is not a safe. For cash, documents or high-value items, use a rated safe.

Most orders come down to three questions: how big, how locked and how moved. The rest of this guide takes them in that order.

Which size site box do you need?

Nominal sizes cause most wrong orders. A "32 inch" or "48 inch" label tells you the family, not what fits in the box or where the box fits. Work through it in this order:

1. Measure your longest item. That sets the minimum length you need.
2. Measure the space. For a van, that means the load area and the door opening. For a compound or depot, the floor space and the route the box has to take to get there.
3. Leave room for the lid. The lid opens upwards on gas struts, so keep the area above and around the box clear.
4. Ask about internal fit. External size sets the footprint. If your longest item is close to the limit, we will confirm internal fit before you order.

The 32 inch Lockbox is 813mm wide and the 48 inch Lockbox is 1219mm wide. Both share the same 1.4mm steel body, gas strut lid, padlock-compatible clasp and raised feet, so the choice is about space and where the box will sit.

Securasite Lockbox specification

Both sizes share the same build. Only the size and product code change.

Ready to buy? View the 32 inch Lockbox or view the 48 inch Lockbox.

Padlock or built-in deadlocks?

The lock is the main difference between site boxes. The Lockbox locks with your own padlock through a clasp and lock bar, so you can stay on the padlock system your site already uses. Some Securasite boxes have twin 5 lever Chubb deadlocks built in and use thicker steel.

On smaller screens, swipe the table sideways to compare all three box types.

Choosing a padlock. The Lockbox is supplied without a padlock, so add one to the same order and the box is ready to lock on arrival. Check the padlock shackle against the clasp and lock bar opening, or ask us to confirm fit. Our high security padlock with four keys is listed in our range. If you run several boxes, one padlock key system keeps access simple on a site.

Comparing site boxes like for like. Whatever you are looking at, check the same six points:

• Steel thickness: compare the stated gauge in millimetres.
• Locking: padlock or built-in locks, and whether any lock or key is supplied.
• Base: raised feet or skids for forklift access, and whether it can be fixed down.
• Size: external size sets floor space, so ask for internal dimensions too.
• Weight: it affects handling and delivery.
• What is supplied: padlock, keys, shelf or other extras.

Can a forklift move a site box?

The Lockbox can be handled by forklift. It stands on four raised support feet that lift it off the floor, which means you can reposition it as work areas change instead of emptying it first. Four checks before every lift:

No maximum load is published for the Lockbox. For a heavily loaded box, or for any lifting method other than a forklift, speak to our team before you lift.

Day-to-day use and care

What to store, and what to keep out

The Lockbox is listed for non-hazardous items only. If you need to lock away flammable or chemical products, look at our Flam Safe and Chem Safe boxes, which have ventilation points, spillage containment with drain off and warning stickers supplied.

Six ordering mistakes to avoid

1. Ordering without a padlock. The Lockbox is supplied without one. Add a padlock to the same order and we can quote both together.
2. Buying on the nominal size. Compare the external dimensions with your van, bay or compound space, and ask us about internal fit if your longest item is close to the limit.
3. Putting a 48 inch box in a van without measuring. It is 1219mm wide. Check the load area and the door opening first, and speak to us before fixing any box inside a vehicle.
4. Storing flammables or chemicals. The Lockbox is listed for non-hazardous items only. Use a box designed for hazardous products.
5. Lifting a loaded box without checking. Use suitable forklift equipment, with the lid closed and secured and the load balanced. No maximum load is published, so call us first for a heavily loaded box.
6. Treating it as a safe. No security rating is stated. Cash, documents and high-value items need a rated product.

Where the Lockbox works best

When to choose something else

• Integrated deadlocks or a keyed-alike lock system: look at the Site Safe Box, Van Safe Box or Tool Store Box.
• Flammable, chemical or hazardous items: choose a Flam Safe or Chem Safe box.
• Open storage for bulkier items: a mesh storage cage gives you a different format, with a hinged door secured by hasp and staple.
• Cash, documents or high-value items: use a rated safe.
• Lifting by crane: forklift handling is the listed method for the Lockbox, so speak to our team before using any other lifting method.

You can see what is currently listed in our storage boxes range, or call us on 0330 056 4420 and we will point you to the right box.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions buyers ask most. Select a question to see the answer.