When Oak Ridge Pharmacy needed a DEA pharmaceutical storage cage, they knew to call their local material handling distributor, and they knew to call WireCrafters, a leading U.S. manufacturer of woven and welded wire partitions. The company's drug storage application of its wire partitions is suitable for pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, medical facilities, drug distribution centers, record storage areas, drug warehouses, and much more.
By law, Oak Ridge Pharmacy's pharmaceuticals must be secured in a wire partition cage that is in compliance with the Drug Enforcement Administration's standards. WireCrafters DEA storage cages and partitions meet requirements for physical security of Schedule III through V controlled substances as outlined in Title 21 CFR Sections1301:72-1301.76 physical security controls.
What Makes a Cage DEA Compliant?
DEA-approved storage cages have several requirements that differentiate them from typical tool and maintenance storage cages. All doors must be self-closing and self-locking. Hinge doors are outfitted with commercial hydraulic door closers. The standard WireCrafters mortise lock meets the DEA's requirements. Sliding doors up to 80 sq ft in size are counterbalanced with counterweights for easy operation. The slide door is pulled open and then the counterweights will bring the door back to the closed and locked position. Again, the standard mortise lock is installed. For slide doors over 80 sq ft, WireCrafters will provide an electric door opener for ease of operation. This door features a timer and an electric eye for safety.
In a DEA-approved storage application, wire partition panels must be flush to the floor. Only the doors are allowed a small clearance from the floor to allow them to operate freely. Wire cages must be constructed with wire mesh ceiling panels, otherwise the drug storage cage must go all the way up to the existing roof structure.
The final requirement is taken care of by the on-site installer. All hardware must be brazed or pinned. Most people simply tack weld all the nuts to the bolts so the cage cannot be disassembled.
The design of WireCrafters' standard wire partition system makes it easily adaptable to DEA requirements. Tubular post uprights have a welded baseplate rather than a floor socket; the post can be pre-drilled so that the panels mount flush to the floor. All installation and assembly hardware is already on the inside of the cage and therefore secure from the outside, rather than being accessible from the outside of the cage. In fact, the DEA has commented on the added security provided by a WireCrafters drug storage cage.
Another Secure, Compliant Cage; Another Happy Customer
Oak Ridge Pharmacies' pharmaceutical storage cage has a self-closing, self-locking hinge door, and the panels sit flush to the floor as required by the DEA. The cage was equipped with a wire mesh ceiling since it did not need to run up to the existing structure. Their material handling company's installation met the DEA's requirements.
Asked why they went with WireCrafters over other options on the market, their response was simple: "We went with the best."
