Steel Almirah and File Cabinet Sizes: Catalogue Dimensions and How to Choose

Quick size reference

The two almirah models share the same overall dimensions; ask for the internal configuration (shelves, lockers, hanging space) of each when you request a quotation. File cabinet heights depend on the number of drawers, so confirm the height for the exact model you choose.

Steel almirahs: SMAL-0001 and SMAL-0002

A 910 × 485 × 1930 mm almirah is a full-height, two-door storage unit that fits under a standard office ceiling with space above for ventilation and cleaning.

Where it works well

• Offices and HR departments for files, stationery and records.
• Factory stores for small parts, consumables and documents.
• Hospitals for linen, consumables and ward records.
• Schools and institutions for registers and supplies.

What to check

• Internal shelf count and whether shelves are adjustable.
• Lock type (central locking with a handle or a simple key lock).
• Sheet thickness of doors and body.
• Whether a small internal locker compartment is needed for valuables.

The 485 mm depth comfortably takes box files and folders while keeping the unit shallow enough for corridors and smaller rooms.

File cabinets: the SMFC range

All SMFC file cabinets share a 477 mm wide × 620 mm deep footprint, so a row of 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-drawer units lines up front and back. This helps when you mix heights, for example lower units under a window and taller ones along a wall.

Choosing the drawer count

Good practice

• Load bottom drawers first so the cabinet is not top-heavy.
• Choose an interlock or anti-tilt feature where available, so only one drawer opens at a time.
• Use hanging file frames if your filing system is based on suspension files.

Mobile compactor SMCP-0001 for archives

A mobile compactor mounts shelving units on carriages that run on floor rails. Instead of a fixed aisle between every pair of shelves, units move together and only one aisle opens where you need it. That makes compactors the usual choice for record rooms, hospital medical records, bank archives and legal files, where large volumes must be kept in a limited room.

Because the SMCP-0001 is configured to the room, the quotation is based on:

• Room length, width and clear height.
• Number of carriages and shelf levels.
• Type of material stored (box files, ledgers, bound registers).
• Manual or mechanical-assisted movement and locking.
• Floor condition and rail installation.

A compactor concentrates a lot of weight on a small area, so ask a structural engineer to confirm floor capacity before installation, particularly on upper floors.

Planning the space: clearances and floor loading

Cabinets need room to open, not just room to stand.

• Almirah doors: each door of a 910 mm almirah swings out roughly half the cabinet width; allow clear space in front for both doors to open while someone stands there.
• File drawers: a 620 mm deep cabinet needs space for the drawer to extend nearly its full depth plus room for the user; plan roughly 1 m or more of clear space in front of the row.
• Aisles between facing rows: allow for two drawers or doors open at the same time if people work in the aisle together.
• Escape routes: never place storage where it narrows a corridor or blocks exits, hose cabinets or extinguishers.
• Floor loading: a full row of file cabinets or a compactor is heavy. On upper floors and in older buildings, confirm capacity with an engineer.
• Fire protection: archives are high-value, high-fuel rooms. Many organisations protect them with detection and a clean agent system; see FM200 vs Novec 1230.

Choosing for offices, archives and factories

A simple way to decide between cabinets and a compactor is to look at how often files are used. Active files that people open every day belong in file cabinets or almirahs close to the users. Semi-active and archive files, consulted occasionally but kept for years, are better in a compactor or a dedicated records room, where capacity per square metre matters more than speed of access.

Build quality checks before you accept delivery

Steel storage looks similar in photographs, but quality differences show up within months of daily use. Check a sample, and then spot-check the delivery against it:

• Sheet thickness: measure door, body and shelf or drawer thickness with a calliper and compare with the quotation.
• Doors: almirah doors should close flush, without rubbing, and stay aligned when the unit is loaded.
• Drawers: open each drawer fully with a load inside; runners should travel smoothly without sagging or jumping off the track.
• Locks: confirm every lock engages fully and that keys are numbered, with spares supplied.
• Shelves: adjustable shelves should sit level and carry their intended load without visible bending.
• Coating: look for even coverage, no bare corners or runs, and no rust spots at welds or edges. Safety Plus steel products are chemically de-rusted, zinc phosphate coated and oven-baked powder painted, which helps the finish last in humid offices and stores.
• Stability: a tall almirah or five-drawer cabinet should not rock on a level floor; fix tall units to the wall where people pass often.

Browse industrial furniture and steel lockers, or send your room plan, the number of files and the mix of storage you want through request a quote.

Frequently asked questions