VHA PROGRAM GUIDE PG-18-3
September 2004
or less than 7.5 m (25 ft.) from windows of an adjoining building, or accessible by a building
ledge leading to windows of other floor rooms, security mesh screening for windows is required.
Required specifications for stainless steel security mesh screening are:
a. All #304 stainless steel woven mesh 0.7 mm (.028 in.) wire diameter, with tensile strength
of 15 kg/mm (800 pounds per lineal inch).
b. Mesh 12x12 per 25 mm (in.) with main and sub frames of 2.7 mm (12 gauge) carbon steel
with baked enamel finish and internal key locking slide bolts.
2. WALLS: Exterior walls of brick and masonry construction are acceptable. Exterior walls
which are composed of wood frame and siding require an interior backing of flattened No. 9 (16
gage) expanded security mesh for use with drywall or flattened No. 9 expanded security lath for
use with gypsum plaster or solid 18 gage minimum laminated sheet metal to the backside of
drywall panel partition.. Pharmacy and Agent Cashiers perimeter walls shall be full height (floor
to underside of slab above). Interior walls containing windows shall be a minimum of 100 mm
(4 in.) solid concrete masonry units to ceiling height with either masonry or gypsum wallboard to
underside of slab above. Bulk control substance storage vaults require perimeter walls of brick
or masonry construction full height.
3. DOORS AND DOOR LOCKS: Doors are of 45 mm (1-3/4 in.) hardwood or hollow steel
construction. Dutch or half doors are unacceptable. Removable hinge pins on door exteriors
must be retained with set pins or spot welded, preventing their removal. All doors must be fitted
with two lock sets. Doors with glass panes must have one lock set, key operated from the
interior of the protected area. If a door is not set in a steel frame, one of the two locks must be a
jimmy proof rim dead lock. Doors set in steel frames must be fitted with a mortise lock with a
deadlock pin feature. One lock (the day lock) must be automatically locking on door closure;
requiring reentry to the room with key or lock combination and allowing egress from the room by
use of an inside thumb latch. The day lock on the main door must be automatically locking, with
a minimum 19 mm (3/4 in.) dead bolt and inside thumb latch. Combinations or keys to day locks
will be restricted to service employees and combinations changed immediately on the termination
or reassignment of an employee.
4. OTHER ROOM ACCESS MEANS: Interstitial overhead areas which enable entry into a
secure room from an unsecured room must be barricaded by the installation of a suitable partition
in the interstitial space which prevents "up and over" access. Ventilation grills on doors and air
circulation ducts which exceed 0.06 m2 (100 sq. in.) in areas must be reinforced to prevent their
removal from outside the room. Other possible access means such as dumbwaiter shafts, roof, or
wall ventilator housings, trapdoors, etc., must be secured by appropriate means.
detects entry into the room and which broadcasts a local alarm of sufficient volume to cause an
essential features.
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