April 28, 2004—On April 21, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued its long-awaited proposed standard (Standard 4C, Wall Mounted Centralized Mail Receptacles) that aims to improve the security of mailboxes and allow tenants to more easily receive parcels by increasing the minimum sizes of receptacles and adding parcel lockers in many types of buildings.
For the past year and a half, the USPS has worked with affected parties, including mailbox manufacturers, distributors, magazine publishers, mass mailers, and residential and commercial property representatives, to draft the new standard. BOMA International served on this committee representing the office building industry. The National Association of Homebuilders, Multi Housing Council, and the National Association of Realtors are also members of the committee.
Now that the proposed standard has been printed in the Federal Register, a 30-day comment period ensues; USPS must receive written comments by May 21, 2004. At the close of the comment period, the consensus committee will come back together to review the public comments received, and, if necessary, recommend changes to the proposal, which will then become final.
The new Standard (Standard 4C, Wall Mounted Centralized Mail Receptacles) will replace a standard promulgated in 1975 (STD-4B, Receptacles, Apartment House, Mail). Though the standard was commonly referred to as an apartment mailbox standard, it has always governed all buildings, including commercial office buildings, that utilize wall mounted centralized systems (where USPS distributes the mail directly into the tenant boxes). The name of the Standard has been changed to make it more clear which buildings must comply.
Key requirements of the proposed rule include:
- Proposed form factor: 3″H x 12″W x 15″D (former standard = 5″H x 6″W x 15″D horizontal or 5″W x 6″D x 15″H vertical)
- Parcel lockers: 1:10 ratio (integral or stand alone); no requirement for buildings with less than 10 tenant boxes. Exemptions considered for buildings that use boxes that exceed the new minimum requirement as well as buildings that have an alternate delivery mechanism in place (i.e., concierge or security desk willing to accept packages on behalf of tenants).
- Increased security requirements for boxes.
- Applies only to new construction and substantial renovations that include the mailroom area. Existing buildings are exempt.
- Will go into effect two years after promulgation of final rule.
For a copy of the proposed rule, please go to BOMA Internationals Web site. Comments also may be sent online.
