Arranging a Weapons Storage Facility for a Security Company

If you are planning to obtain a weapons permit for a security firm, one of the initial and most challenging steps is establishing a permit-system facility—a storage room for weapons. However, experience shows that many firms lack a clear understanding of how to properly prepare such a space, leading to numerous questions:

• What requirements must the weapons storage room meet to obtain the necessary permit?
• What documents are required to secure an inspection certificate for the premises?
• How can common mistakes be avoided when organizing a weapon storage facility for a security company?

Are you facing similar challenges or already in the process of establishing a permit-system facility? Our legal experts can assist you in understanding all the requirements for a compliant weapon storage room. In this article, we will detail the main criteria your facility must meet and provide practical tips to avoid common mistakes when opening a permit-system facility.

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How to Properly Set Up a Weapon Storage Facility for a Security Company

If you have already obtained a security license and are planning to expand your services by acquiring a weapons permit, it is essential to fully understand the requirements for the specialized storage facility where the weapons will be kept. In practice, even experienced security companies often encounter challenges during the setup of such a facility, causing delays in the implementation of their plans.

Our legal team has repeatedly assisted security companies in successfully setting up weapon storage facilities and navigating all inspection stages. Drawing on this experience, we know exactly which key factors deserve special attention. According to Clause 11.5 of the Instruction on the Procedure for Manufacturing, Acquiring, Storing, and Accounting for Weapons, departmental weapons and ammunition must be stored in a designated storage facility. This facility must meet the following requirements:

1.  Isolation: The storage facility must be completely isolated from other utility or auxiliary rooms. Access should be strictly limited to specially authorized personnel.

2. Reinforced Walls, Ceiling, and Floor: The walls must be structural (load-bearing), and capable of supporting not only their own weight but also the weight of any overlying structures. Interior partitions should be as strong as double gypsum concrete panels, each 80 mm thick, with a steel grid placed between them, or brick walls with a minimum thickness of 120 mm, reinforced with a steel mesh. In older buildings where existing structures do not meet these standards, partitions made of wooden boards reinforced with a steel grid may be acceptable.

3.  Doors and Locks: The regulations state that a weapon storage facility must have two doors. However, upon closer examination, this refers to a single entry point equipped with double doors:

-The outer door must be either metal or a single-panel wooden door with a minimum thickness of 40 mm, clad on both sides with galvanized iron, with the edges of the iron sheets folded over the edge of the door. The inner door must be made of iron and designed as a grated or mesh door.

- The outer door must be equipped with two internal locks and must be either sealed or stamped. The inner door must be secured with either an internal lock or a padlock.

Wooden doors and frames are allowed, provided they are reinforced with an iron angle measuring 30 x 40 mm and at least 5 mm thick. The iron angle must be attached to the wall using no fewer than ten steel reinforcement pins, with the diameter and thickness of the pins meeting the specified requirements.

4.  Window Grilles: If the weapon storage room has windows, they must be fitted with steel grilles. For storage rooms located on the ground floor, window openings must also have internal iron shutters. Wooden shutters are allowed, but they must be clad on both sides with galvanized steel. The shutters must be secured with padlocks. The ends of the grille bars in the window openings must be embedded into the wall to a depth of at least 30 mm and sealed with concrete.

The grilles installed in window and door openings, as well as those used for wall or partition reinforcement, must be made of steel bars with a minimum diameter of 15 mm. Each intersection of the bars must be welded, forming grid cells no larger than 150 x 150 mm.

5. Security and Fire Alarm System: The weapon storage room must be equipped with at least two layers of security and fire alarm systems, installed with concealed wiring leading to the power supply panel. Sensors must be placed on windows, doors, walls, ceiling, and floor. Additionally, there must be sensors designed to detect tampering with safes and cabinets used for weapon storage, as well as motion detectors to identify any unauthorized presence in the room. The storage facility must be under the protection of the police security service, with the alarm system connected to a centralized monitoring panel.

The room must also have appropriate fire suppression equipment. The security company is required to maintain an inventory log, detailing items such as the number of cabinets, safes, metal boxes, and similar storage containers.

If the storage room includes ventilation openings or hatches, they must be secured with iron grilles. The grilles must have a mesh size no larger than 100 x 100 mm and must prevent any possibility of unauthorized entry.

6. Weapon Storage Room Keys: Two sets of keys must be maintained for the weapon storage facility. One set must always remain with the individual responsible for the storage room. The second set must be kept in a sealed container with the head of the security company, which holds the permit for weapon storage.

Properly equipping the weapon storage facility is essential not only to comply with regulatory requirements but also to ensure the safety of your personnel and, potentially, your clients. Additionally, appropriate setup and maintenance of the storage facility reduce the risk of unauthorized access to weapons and provide a high level of protection against potential threats.

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Obtaining a Weapons Permit: Opening a Permit-System Facility for Security Guards

We hope this material has been useful to you. If you need advice or practical assistance with obtaining an inspection certificate for your storage facility, comprehensive support for opening a permit-system facility, or securing a weapons permit, we are ready to assist.

Our legal team will provide detailed recommendations to ensure the storage facility complies with all regulatory requirements, advise on which documents to prepare and where to submit them, and guide you through the inspection process. For clients in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, we can not only prepare the necessary documents and offer advice but also submit the paperwork to the relevant authorities and, if necessary, attend the facility inspection.

In addition, we provide a comprehensive range of services for those starting a security business. If you need help obtaining a license for security activities, our legal experts will prepare all necessary documents and assist you throughout the submission process. For entrepreneurs aiming to save time and avoid bureaucratic challenges, we also offer the option to purchase a ready-made security company that already holds the required licenses and documentation.

Start working with us today and get the expert support you need to develop your security business!