NTP Best Practice Guideline

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Safes, Steel Cabinets, or Vaults

Requirements for safes, steel cabinets, or vaults include, but are not limited to, the following specifications or their equivalent. [21 CFR 1301.72(a)].

Safes, steel cabinets, or vaults must be constructed to withstand the following:

30 man-minutes against surreptitious entry,

10 man-minutes against forced entry,

20 man-hours against lock manipulation, and

20 man-hours against radiological techniques.

Safes and steel cabinets that weigh less than 750 lbs, must be bolted or cemented to the floor or wall in such a way that they cannot be readily removed.

Safes and steel cabinets, if necessary, depending on the quantities and type of controlled substance medications stored, must be equipped with an alarm system, which upon unauthorized entry will transmit a signal directly to a central station protection company, a police department, or a 24-hour control station operated by the NTP. It is recommended that each NTP contact their local DEA Diversion Field Office (see Appendix D) to determine if their program’s safe/steel cabinet requires an alarm system.
Vaults must be equipped with an alarm system, which upon unauthorized entry will transmit a signal directly to a central station protection company, a police department, or a 24-hour control station operated by the NTP.

A vault must be constructed of 8 inches of reinforced concrete or other substantial masonry, reinforced vertically and horizontally with 1/2-inch steel rods tied 6 inches on center, or the structural equivalent.
A vault must be equipped with a self-closing and self-locking "day-gate", or its equivalent, if the vault remains open for frequent access.

NTPs are advised to change security codes and dispensing area locks/keys and lock combinations when dispensing personnel resign or are terminated from employment.

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