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General Service Administration Approved Containers
The General Service Administration (GSA) was established on July 7th, 1949 by Harry S. Truman, in an effort to more streamline the work of the Federal Government. The GSA consolidated the National Archives Establishment, The Federal Works Agency and public Buildings Administration, The Bureau of Federal Supply and Office of Contract Settlement, and the War Assets Administration.
The GSA is responsible for the compiling of the GSA Schedule, which other government agencies and departments can use to purchase goods and services. The GSA Schedule can be thought of as a collection of pre-negotiated standards and contracts. Procurement managers from government agencies can view agreements, and purchase goods utilizing the GSA Schedule and know all legal obligations regarding the goods or services in question have been previously taken care of by the GSA.
One of the many areas that the GSA has the legal authority to regulate are the security standards and expectations of government approved safes, vaults, and other storage equipment. The Federal specifications for security containers are developed by the Interagency Advisory Committee on Security Equipment. This Committee advises the GSA on security equipment listed in the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS).
Herring-Hall manufactured the first Class 2 GSA approved safe in 1955 under Federal Specification AA-F-357. Initially GSA approved security containers were used for securing sensitive documents. These containers are now used not only for documents, but for the securing of weapons, electronics, drugs, precious metals, money, and other valuables.
The GSA currently maintains standards and specifications for Class 5 and Class 6 security containers and filing cabinets. Class 1,2,3, and 4 security containers either have not been listed in the FSS for a number of years (having become obsolete), or have never been manufactured.
GSA Red and Black Approval Labels
All GSA approved security containment products (safes, vaults, file cabinets, etc.) will be marked with an official GSA Approval Label on the face of the container, as well as a “Test Certification” label affixed to the internal side of the door. These labels are the defining factor in whether or not one is utilizing a GSA approved product. These labels will come in either red or black.
GSA approved class 5 and 6 containers manufactured after March 1991 will be marked with a silver label with red lettering. These are commonly referred to simply as “red labels.” GSA approved containers manufactured between 1962 and March of 1991 are identified with a black label.
Class 5 and Class 6 GSA Approved Containers
Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 security containers have either become obsolete due to increased security requirements, or were never manufactured. This being the case, Class 5 and Class 6 GSA Approved containers are the standards.
Class 5 and Class 6 containers must meet a specific set of government issued standards to be officially recognized as GSA Approved. These standards are regulated as such;
Class 5 GSA Approved Container requirements
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- The Class 5 is an uninsulated security container
- 20 man-hours against surreptitious entry (increased from 30 man-minutes on containers produced after March 1991)
- 10 man-minutes against forced entry
- 20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
- 20 man-hours against radiological attack
- 30 man-minutes against covert entry (added to containers produced after March 1991)
Class 6 GSA Approved Container requirements
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- The Class 6 is an uninsulated security container
- 20 man-hours against surreptitious entry (increased from 30 man-minutes on containers produced after March 1991)
- no forced entry test requirement
- 20 man-hours against manipulation of lock
- 20 man-hours against radiological attack
- 30 man-minutes against covert entry (added to containers produced after March 1991)
Security Specifications for Obsolete GSA Approved Containers
While Class 5 and Class 6 GSA Approved containers are now the only classes recognized by the GSA, at one time Classes 2,3, and 4 were also GSA recognized and issued their own set(s) of standards. These now obsolete standards are listed as such;
Class 2 GSA Approved Container requirements
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- The Class 2 container is insulated for fire protection
- 20 man-minutes against surreptitious entry
- 1 hour protection against fire damage to contents
- 5 man-minutes against forced entry
- 20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
- 20 man-hours against radiological attack
Class 3 GSA Approved Container requirements
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- The Class 3 is an uninsulated security container
- 20 man-minutes against surreptitious entry
- 20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
- 20 man-hours against radiological attack
- No forced entry requirements
Class 4 GSA Approved Container requirements
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- The Class 4 is an uninsulated security container
- 20 man-minutes against surreptitious entry
- 5 man-minutes against forced entry
- 20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
- 20 man hours against radiological attack
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