Planning a mailroom renovation or equipment upgrade? If your property is using equipment that is 30+ years old, you may be experiencing the limitations of a system that no longer meets today’s standards for security, capacity, or compliance.
When Is It Time?
Updated USPS requirements, rising concerns around mail and identity theft, and increasing package volumes, are making it more difficult for older equipment to keep up. To deliver a modern mail experience to meet and exceed both resident expectations and agency compliance, it may be time for an upgrade to the current USPS Standard mailbox equipment designed for modern day delivery—and built for the future.
Owners and managers of apartment houses, or other multi-unit dwellings with obsolete apartment house mail receptacles should install up-to-date receptacles currently approved by the Postal Service to ensure safety of access and security of the mail. When such buildings are substantially renovated or remodeled, or when box locations change, obsolete receptacles should be replaced with currently approved receptacles. Renovations occurring anywhere within the building (not just the mailroom) may prompt an upgrade to USPS current standards. | Postal Operations Manual (USPS POM: 632.621)
While choosing to repair outdated community mailbox equipment may seem like a cost-effective short-term solution, it ultimately serves as a temporary band-aid. "Legacy" systems such as the former standard indoor 4B+ Horizontal mailbox and outdoor NDCBU (Neighborhood Delivery and Collection Box Unit) no longer meet current USPS standards and inevitably will require a full replacement to updated equipment. Any property renovations, large or small, or the relocation of centralized mailboxes will also trigger the need for a mailbox upgrade.
USPS APPROVED EQUIPMENT
Finding manufacturers who have met all the rigorous standards and testing to achieve “USPS Approved” status is essential. The USPS publishes the approved mail receptacles and manufacturer list annually as the list changes from time to time. The list is published in the USPS publication Postal Bulletin during National Mailbox Improvement Week, the third week of May each year. Referencing this list annually will ensure that your project specifications contain only approved providers as your basis for design. If approved, the manufacturer is then allowed to sell the product line, which will display a sticker indicating it is approved by the Postmaster General.
SHOP BY PROJECT
Whether you are planning a repair or renovation project in a single-family or multifamily community, you'll be sure to find the perfect centralized mailbox solutions for your needs when you search by project type.
LOCKS + REPLACEMENT PARTS
If your locks or keys have been damaged, lost or stolen, or you’re in need of specific mailbox part for a repair, we’ve got you covered.
SPATIAL PLANNING
These detailed guides offer a roadmap on the process, spatial considerations, and requirements of upgrading outdated mail delivery equipment including horizontal 4B+ and obsolete outdoor NDCBUs to the current USPS Standard 4C and CBU mail receptacles.
INTERSECTIONS OF COMPLIANCE
The USPS isn’t the only governing body that will apply to your mailbox repair or upgrade project. ADA, FHA and local codes must also be considered during early planning phases. Mailroom and equipment must comply with:
Quick Links
Find quick links for product information and project planning resources.
RESIDENT ADVANTAGE
 | Large Compartments — Standard mailbox compartments are significantly larger than outdated equipment. Its rectangular shape holds several days’ worth of mail without it having to be rolled or folded. |
| Outgoing Mail Collecion — Locked and secure outgoing mail collection saves residents trips to the Post Office®. An anti-fish comb provides added security while the mail hood protects contents from weather. |
| Improved Security — Updated Standard equipment is engineered with improved security, anti-theft, and anti-prying features including heavy duty locks and interlocking seams. |
| Built-In Parcel Lockers — Integrated built-in parcel lockers help manage package deliveries, preventing overflow and keeping parcels secure, organized, and easily accessible for residents. |
| Modernized Design — USPS Standard equipment is modern in design, and available in a variety of architectural powdercoat color finishes to complement your community’s existing aesthetic. |
| Happy Residents — Enhanced security, larger compartments, and increased capacity for parcel deliveries create a more convenient mailroom/mail area experience, and happier residents. |
Real Happy Residents
See Florence centralized mail solutions in action to learn how mail and package delivery equipment replacement improves resident satisfaction, mail carrier efficiency, and property value.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Take your project planning to the next level by contacting an Authorized Florence Dealer today. Shop our full line of centralized mailboxes to select the best solution for your project and start designing your custom configuration using the drag-and-drop Florence Mailbox Design tool.
