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DEA Approved Drug Storage Cages & Requirements

Posted by Safe & Vault on Apr 28, 2015

FEDERAL DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR FOUR-WALL DRUG STORAGE CAGES AND SECURITY PARTITIONS.

When it comes to the secure storage of Schedule III, IV and V controlled substances, many practitioners and non-practitioners utilize a Style 840 wire partition cage or secure storage area partition.

The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has established a strict guideline for installation of cages within facilities with the specific intention of utilizing these apparatuses in the storage of Schedule III, IV, and V pharmaceuticals. These regulations can be found in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations under Part 1301, as well as all storage requirements for any type of device.

With special consideration to cages and security partitions, the exact regulations can be located in Title 21 CFR 1301.72(b)(4), and are broken down as follows;

A cage locate within a building or premises must meet the following specifications

(i) Wall must be constructed of a minimum No. 10 gauge steel fabric mounted on steel posts which are:

  1. at least 1” in diameter.
  2. set in concrete or installed with lag bolts that are pinned or brazed, and
  3. placed no more than 10 feet apart with horizontal one and one-half inch reinforcements every 60”.

(ii) Have a mesh construction with openings no more than two and one-half inches across the square.

(iii) Have ceilings constructed of the same material, or in the alternative, a cage shall be erected which reaches and is securely attached to the structural ceiling of the building. A lighter gauge mesh may be used for the ceiling of large enclosed areas if the walls are at least 14 feet in height.

(iv) The cage is equipped with a door constructed of No. 10 gauge steel fabric on a metal door flange, and in all other respects conforms to all the requirements of 21 CFR 1301.72(b)(3)(ii), and

(v) The cage is equipped with an alarm system which upon unauthorized entry transmits a signal directly to a central protection agency or a local or state police agency, each having a legal duty to respond, or to a 24 hour control station operated by the registrant, or to such other source of protection as the Administrator may approve.

For more information on design, build and installation of storage cages and wire wall partitions that meet DEA Approved standards, regulations and security requirements, call Toll Free 1-866-867-0306