GSA-Approved Security Containers.

A. Federal Specifications. Federal specifications for security containers are developed by the Interagency Advisory Committee on Security Equipment, which also advises the GSA on security equipment listed in the FSS. Security containers furnished under the Federal specifications are tested, inspected, and approved for listing on an applicable qualified products list (QPL). The products are removed from the QPL whenever the specifications are changed to improve the product quality. These changes to the specifications are usually the result of constant testing and/or the development of new entry techniques. Security container manufacturers and prices of equipment approved by the GSA are listed in FSS Group 71 Part III E.

B. GSA Labels. A security container approved by GSA for storing classified information will bear a "General Services Administration Approved Security Container" label affixed to the front face and a "Test Certification" label affixed to the internal side of the door. Older containers will normally have only the test label located inside of the control drawer; however, the label may be missing from some containers as a result of age, damage, rehabilitation, or other modification. GSA Approved Class 5 and Class 6 containers produced after March 1991 and certified under the revised Federal specifications for increased surreptitious and covert protection bear a red "GSA Approved" label in lieu of the former black label. Black “GSA Approved” labels were issued on safes from 1962 until 1991 meeting previous Federal specifications.

C. Classes of GSA Approved Security Containers.

(1) Class 1. The Class 1 security container is insulated for fire protection. The protection provided is:

30 man-minutes against surreptitious entry
10 man-minutes against forced entry
1 hour protection against fire damage to contents
20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
20 man-hours against radiological attack

(2) Class 2. The Class 2 security container is insulated for fire protection. The protection provided is:

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

(3) Class 3. The Class 3 is an uninsulated security container, and the protection provided is:

20 man-minutes against surreptitious entry
20 man-hours against manipulation of the lock
20 man-hours against radiological attack
No forced entry requirement

(4) Class 4. The Class 4 is an uninsulated security container, and the protection provided is:

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

(5) Class 5. The Class 5 is an uninsulated security container, and the protection provided is:

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)

(6) Class 6. The Class 6 is an uninsulated security container, and the protection provided is:

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 the lock
20 man-hours against radiological attack
30 man-minutes against covert entry (added to containers produced after March 1991)

D. Models of GSA-Approved Security Containers.

(1) Security Filing Cabinets.

(a) A variety of security filing cabinets is manufactured in both Class 5 and Class 6 models. Security filing cabinets are available in single, two, four, and five drawers and in both letter size and legal size models.

(b) Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 security containers either have not been listed in the FSS for a number of years or have never been manufactured.

(2) Map and Plan Security Containers. Map and Plan Security Cabinets are manufactured in both Class 5 and Class 6 models. In addition to map and plan holders, this container is also available with various drawers, adjustable shelves, and in a weapons configuration for either rifles or pistols.