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GSA Class 5 Containers

GSA Class 5 Containers Approved for Narcotics and Cannabis Storage

There are four different types of Class 5 containers which are commonly available. All but the Weapons Containers and Information Processing Systems (IPS) Containers are approved for narcotics storage. Choosing your container and interior components can be confusing and complicated. We are ready to provide expert assistance.

Shipping Various GSA Approved Class 5 Containers

*Note: If your container weighs less than 750 Lbs it must be bolted down in order to meet DEA and most state requirements for narcotics storage. It is not permitted to drill into or weld to a GSA Approved Container. Doing so permanently invalidates the GSA Approved status of the container and the GSA Label must be removed.

Description Weight (LB) Dimensions
GSA Approved Class 5 Two Drawer Container 590 25 x 21 x 28.5"
GSA Approved Class 5 Four Drawer Container 980 49 x 21 x 28.5"
Class 5 Map Plan Container (Empty) 1080 51 x 22 x 39"
Class 5 General Purpose Container Size IV 520 29 x 22 x 24"
Class 5 General Purpose Container Size II 981 48 x 36 x 27"

Storage of Schedule I and II Controlled Substances

DEA regulations requires Schedule I and II Controlled Substances to be stored in a GSA Approved Class 5 Container or UL Listed Burglary Resistant Safe equipped with a UL Listed Group 1-R Lock. For complete requirements visit the DEA, Office of Diversion Control website. Refer to the “Security Outline of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.” As noted there, additional, Non-Practitioner requirements may apply, such as weight minimums, normally exceeding 750 Lbs, and an external monitored alarm. We have a complete line of Pharmacy Containers.


State and Government Approval for Storing Narcotics and Cannabis

All government agencies as well as state governments will accept GSA Approved Class 5 Containers as approved containers for narcotics and cannabis storage applications. However, except for a few government agencies and military service branches purchasers should also consider the UL Listed Burglary Resistant Safe option. See the above tab for more details. These are normally more versatile, less costly, and have additional features not found in the GSA Approved variants.


GSA Approved Class 5 Two and Four Drawer Containers

There are two file drawer styles of containers available. These are the GSA Approved Class 5 Two and Four Drawer Containers. These are normally equipped with one Kaba Mas X10 Lock which closes the entire container. However, they are also optionally available in a one lock per drawer (Multi-Lock) Configuration where each drawer forms its own separate lockable container. These containers are normally most appropriate when a limited quantity or limited number of different similar items are being stored as an organization and limiting access can be an issue. The Two Drawer Model requires an external bolt down kit, as it does not meet the DEA minimum weight requirements.


Class 5 Map and Plan, Pharmacy Container and General Purpose Styles

The GSA Approved Class 5 General Purpose Container, available in two sizes, Size IV (smaller) and Size II (larger) is a single door container which can be equipped with a wide range of interior accessories such as drawers, shelves, including those of the extendable pharmacy style, as well as locking compartments, and custom interiors. The Size IV requires an external bolt down kit, as it does not meet the DEA minimum weight limits. The GSA Approved Class 5 Map and Plan, or Pharmacy Container, is the most popular large volume storage solution. This container can be equipped with a wide range of optional accessories similar to the General Purpose Containers above. All our GSA Approved containers are available in Gray, Black or Parchment at no additional charge. Grey is the most common color, and normally is more readily available from stock. The GSA Approved Class 5 Map and Plan, or Pharmacy Container, is the most popular large volume storage solution. This container can be equipped with a wide range of optional accessories like the General Purpose Containers above. All our GSA Approved containers are available in Gray, Black or Parchment at no additional charge. Grey is the most common color, and normally is more readily available from stock.


Physical and Structural Considerations for Placement

If you determine you have a requirement for a Class 5 container, please note these units are quite heavy. Consideration must be given to placement and installation access, as well as the ability of the floor structure of your building, or ship, to support one, or more, containers. Powder Coated matching steel load distribution plates are available which distribute the load of heavier containers over a wider floor area, if required. When ordering, and if inside delivery assistance or full service installation is required you must be specific as to exactly where the container is to be placed, about elevators, stairs, etc., as well as the unloading facilities, i.e., docks, forklifts, present at your location. If special delivery services are required, and available in your area, these plans must be made at the time your order is placed.


GSA Class 5 Containers

GSA Class 5 Containers are approved for Schedule Narcotics and Cannabis Storage and are all closed with the Kaba Mas X10 or S&G 2740B (optionally) lock. These locks can be programmed with one combination, two combinations both having to be dialed to open the container, or two combinations with one serving as a supervisory combination which, once dialed allows the secondary combination to open the container an unlimited number of times until the supervisory combination is dialed again, locking the container for all access.


Two and Four Drawer Configurations

Class 5 filing cabinets, available in two and four drawer configurations. They are available as single lock models, one lock closes the entire container and one lock per drawer, each lock controlling an individual Class 5 storage compartment. Five drawer filing cabinets are not available in Class 5 security at this time and are not approved by the GSA for manufacture. Class 5 Two and Four Drawer models are both available labeled as Weapons Containers. These are not approved for narcotics storage.


Map Plan

Class 5 Map Plan Containers, available empty, or fitted with a variety of inserts to accommodate filing drawers, shelves, including custom manufactured extendable pharmacy shelves and custom compartments, both locking and not. The Map and Plan style container is available as a Weapons container which is not approved for narcotics storage.


Size II and Size IV General Purpose Containers

Class 5 General Purpose Container, available empty, or with several interior options including shelves and drawers. There are two sizes of General Purpose Containers, Size II and Size IV. Both are approved for narcotics use.


Class 5 Information Processing Systems Containers

Class 5 Information Processing Systems (IPS) Containers are not approved for narcotics storage. They may only be used for operating computer equipment.


GSA Class 5 Containers

GSA Class 5 Containers Approved for Narcotics and Cannabis Storage

There are four different types of Class 5 containers which are commonly available. All but the Weapons Containers and Information Processing Systems (IPS) Containers are approved for narcotics storage. Choosing your container and interior components can be confusing and complicated. We are ready to provide expert assistance.


Types of Class 5 Containers In Detail

GSA Class 5 Containers are approved for Schedule Narcotics and Cannabis Storage and are all closed with the Kaba Mas X10 or S&G 2740B (optionally) lock. These locks can be programmed with one combination, two combinations both having to be dialed to open the container, or two combinations with one serving as a supervisory combination which, once dialed allows the secondary combination to open the container an unlimited number of times until the supervisory combination is dialed again, locking the container for all access.

1. Class 5 Filing Cabinets:

    Class 5 filing cabinets, available in two and four drawer configurations. They are available as single lock models, one lock closes the entire container and one lock per drawer, each lock controlling an individual Class 5 storage compartment. Five drawer filing cabinets are not available in Class 5 security at this time and are not approved by the GSA for manufacture. Class 5 Two and Four Drawer models are both available labeled as Weapons Containers. These are not approved for narcotics storage.


2. Class 5 Map Plan Containers:

    Class 5 Map Plan Containers, available empty, or fitted with a variety of inserts to accommodate filing drawers, shelves, including custom manufactured extendable pharmacy shelves and custom compartments, both locking and not. The Map and Plan style container is available as a Weapons container which is not approved for narcotics storage.


3. Class 5 General Purpose Container:

    Class 5 General Purpose Container, available empty, or with several interior options including shelves and drawers. There are two sizes of General Purpose Containers, Size II and Size IV. Both are approved for narcotics use.


4. Class 5 Information Processing Systems (IPS) Containers:

    Class 5 Information Processing Systems (IPS) Containers are not approved for narcotics storage. They may only be used for operating computer equipment.


Shipping GSA Approved Class 5 Containers

The following table lists the basic approximate shipping weights and dimensions of the various GSA Approved Class 5 Containers:

Description Weight (LB) Dimensions
GSA Approved Class 5 Two Drawer Container 590 25 x 21 x 28.5"
GSA Approved Class 5 Four Drawer Container 980 49 x 21 x 28.5"
Class 5 Map Plan Container (Empty) 1080 51 x 22 x 39"
Class 5 General Purpose Container Size IV 520 29 x 22 x 24"
Class 5 General Purpose Container Size II 981 48 x 36 x 27"

Note: If your container weighs less than 750 Lbs it must be bolted down in order to meet DEA and most state requirements for narcotics storage. It is not permitted to drill into or weld to a GSA Approved Container. Doing so permanently invalidates the GSA Approved status of the container and the GSA Label must be removed.


Storing Controlled Substances

GSA Approved Class 5 Pharmacy Container
Pharmacy Container

DEA regulations requires Schedule I and II Controlled Substances to be stored in a GSA Approved Class 5 Container or UL Listed Burglary Resistant Safe equipped with a UL Listed Group 1-R Lock. For complete requirements visit the DEA, Office of Diversion Control website. Refer to the “Security Outline of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970.” As noted there, additional, Non-Practitioner requirements may apply, such as weight minimums, normally exceeding 750 Lbs, and an external monitored alarm. We have a complete line of Pharmacy Containers.


State and Government Approval for Storing Narcotics and Cannabis

All government agencies as well as state governments will accept GSA Approved Class 5 Containers as approved containers for narcotics and cannabis storage applications. However, except for a few government agencies and military service branches purchasers should also consider the UL Listed Burglary Resistant Safe option. See the above tab for more details. These are normally more versatile, less costly, and have additional features not found in the GSA Approved variants.


GSA Approved Class 5 Two and Four Drawer Containers

Class 5 Two Drawer Container
Class 5 Two Drawer

There are two file drawer styles of containers available. These are the GSA Approved Class 5 Two and Four Drawer Containers. These are normally equipped with one Kaba Mas X10 Lock which closes the entire container. However, they are also optionally available in a one lock per drawer (Multi-Lock) Configuration where each drawer forms its own separate lockable container. These containers are normally most appropriate when a limited quantity or limited number of different similar items are being stored as an organization and limiting access can be an issue. The Two Drawer Model requires an external bolt down kit, as it does not meet the DEA minimum weight requirements.

Class 5 Map and Plan, Pharmacy Container and General Purpose Styles

GSA Approved Class 5 Map Plan Container
Class 5 Map Plan

The GSA Approved Class 5 General Purpose Container, available in two sizes, Size IV (smaller) and Size II (larger) is a single door container which can be equipped with a wide range of interior accessories such as drawers, shelves, including those of the extendable pharmacy style, as well as locking compartments, and custom interiors. The Size IV requires an external bolt down kit, as it does not meet the DEA minimum weight limits. The GSA Approved Class 5 Map and Plan, or Pharmacy Container, is the most popular large volume storage solution. This container can be equipped with a wide range of optional accessories like the General Purpose Containers above. All our GSA Approved containers are available in Gray, Black or Parchment at no additional charge. Grey is the most common color, and normally is more readily available from stock.

Physical and Structural Considerations for Placement

GSA Approved Class 5 General Purpose Container Size II
Class 5 General Purpose

If you determine you have a requirement for a Class 5 container, please note these units are quite heavy. Consideration must be given to placement and installation access, as well as the ability of the floor structure of your building, or ship, to support one, or more, containers. Powder Coated matching steel load distribution plates are available which distribute the load of heavier containers over a wider floor area, if required. When ordering, and if inside delivery assistance or full service installation is required you must be specific as to exactly where the container is to be placed, about elevators, stairs, etc., as well as the unloading facilities, i.e., docks, forklifts, present at your location. If special delivery services are required, and available in your area, these plans must be made at the time your order is placed.


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