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Gunnebo Canada with Hamilton Security has delivered a vault for a logistics firm in Canada’s pharmaceutical sector, for the secure storage of controlled substances.
Described as the first vault of its kind in Canada to be made and commissioned in line with updated Health Canada requirements, it’s enabling the storage of narcotics under multiple licences within a single facility. The changes required better use of floorspace by replacing several smaller vaults with one larger, fully compliant structure. Alongside meeting regulation, the aim was to improve operational efficiency within a high-demand logistics setting handling both over the counter and highly controlled pharmaceutical products.
Gunnebo Canada reports it was responsible for the full scope of the project. This included the decommissioning and removal of vaults, as well as the design, manufacture and installation of a new Class 2 vault and surrounding security cage. A dedicated commercial intrusion alarm and monitoring were also integrated.
Navin Chadha, Senior Distribution Manager at the healthcare logistics firm Accuristix said: “The real challenge was bringing together multiple complex elements into a single, compliant solution without disrupting ongoing operations. We needed a partner who understood both the regulatory landscape and the practical realities of our environment. Having a single point of contact who could manage design, installation and coordination made a significant difference to how smoothly the project progressed.”
A custom-engineered vault was made using Class 2 panels in accordance with Health Canada directives. The structure measures about 27 feet high, 39 feet wide and 66 feet deep, with a total of 232 panels and an overall weight exceeding 750,000 pounds.
A bespoke vault door, based on a Class M design with a one-inch steel plate façade, provides a clear opening suited to high-volume logistics operations. The vault is enclosed within a large security cage, reinforcing the layered approach required for controlled substance storage, the manufacturer adds.
The installation was completed over three months, requiring planning, coordination and site engagement to ensure expectations were met, the product firm adds.
Blair Cleveland, Regional Account Executive at Gunnebo Canada concluded: “This project reflects the level of coordination and technical understanding required when regulatory requirements change and facilities need to adapt. It was about delivering a solution that works day to day, while meeting a very specific and demanding brief. This project sets a clear reference point for how large-scale, compliant narcotics storage can be delivered under the updated requirements, from design through to operation.”
