Misplaced Pages

#235764

27-475: In many countries, rural mail delivery follows different rules and practices from that in urban areas. For example, in some areas rural delivery may require homeowners to travel to a centralized mail delivery depot or a community mailbox rather than being directly served by a door-to-door mail carrier; and even if direct door-to-door delivery is offered, houses still may even not have their own unique mailing addresses at all, but an entire road instead may be assigned

54-624: A bit more protection. However, the high security CBU was discontinued in early 2016. While the CBU models have parcel lockers built into each box, individual outdoor parcel lockers (OPL) were developed to increase the total amount of parcel lockers available within a single neighborhood installation. Just like the CBU, the OPL design has evolved over the years as well. The latest USPS approved design includes taller parcel compartments to better accommodate package sizes of today. In addition, to help “dress up”

81-469: A letter carrier provides delivery and collection services to a number of residences from a centrally located installation – whether in a single-family subdivision or multi-family structure. Business customers also receive delivery services from a convenient central location. Centralized mail delivery equipment can be in the form of any "clustered" type mailbox – including free-standing, pedestal-mounted cluster box unit (CBU), or other cluster mailboxes mounted in

108-533: A postal carrier in Los Angeles Ca. The Post Office Department first introduced curbside cluster boxes in 1967. By 2001, the US Postal Service (USPS) was approving locking mailbox designs to help customers protect their mail. Neighborhood Delivery Collection Box Units (NDCBUs) were the predecessor to today’s cluster box units. They had multiple compartments for the centralized delivery of mail to

135-696: A single common address, such as a rural route number. Examples include Rural Free Delivery in the United States , the rural route system in Canada, and the Rural Mail Box addressing system in Australia . Because of the differences in the handling and delivery of mail in rural areas, rural letter carriers often follow different regulatory standards than urban postal workers; for example, rural postal delivery workers may not be required to wear

162-416: A uniform and may be allowed to use their own vehicles rather than driving a postal truck. In Canada, rural letter carriers were for many years not considered employees of Canada Post but private contractors. This postal system–related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Centralized mail delivery Centralized mail delivery is a unique form of mail delivery system where

189-591: A wall, kiosk, or shelter. The U.S. Postal Service prefers centralized mail delivery in all new construction because it is less expensive. The United States Postal Service aims to continue to review and modify its operations to provide universal service as efficiently and cost effectively as possible. Therefore, there is pressure to establish centralized mail delivery, which is required in some communities. Mail delivery can be traced back to its system founder and first Postmaster, Benjamin Franklin . Since that time,

216-484: Is distributed by others.) It is generally preferred to have a key keeper installed outside the secure room. This way, the USPS can install their normal Arrow lock in the key keeper to gain access to the key for the mailroom. Manufacturers must produce a mailbox which meets or exceeds all USPS Specifications and then submit a prototype to the USPS for rigorous testing and approval. All STD-4C compliant mailboxes must meet

243-426: The 1930, as a convenience to customers living on the margins of a city, letter carriers began delivering to customers with “suitable boxes at the curb line.” Multiple receptacles appeared, but with no regulation. In the ensuing decades American suburbanization, which exploded in the 1950s, brought an increase in curbside mailboxes. The initial suggestion for the creation of the cluster box was submitted by Peter McHugh,

270-527: The CBU, some manufacturers have developed USPS Approved caps and pedestals. Available in various designs, these fashionable snap-together accessories place the final touches on the CBU so that it will complement the surrounding architecture. Only caps and pedestals which have been approved by the USPS can be added to the officially licensed CBU. [edit] Other Equipment Options The USPS created guidelines to dictate that wall-mounted vertical or horizontal wall-type boxes are to be specified in these settings. To represent

297-474: The CBU. Like its predecessor the NDCBU, each CBU has multiple compartments for the centralized delivery of mail to the residents of an entire neighborhood, eliminating the need for door-to-door or curbside delivery. This new design also incorporates a parcel locker and an outgoing mail slot for resident convenience. At one time, some manufacturers even offered a high security CBU option for those areas which require

SECTION 10

#1732790561236

324-596: The Postal Service. In addition, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) standards provide manufacturers and customers with notice of the specifications. The members of the committee met six times as an advisory group and negotiated among themselves and with the Postal Service to reach a consensus on a new standard. Committee members were selected for the purpose of, and accepted the responsibility for, representing other interested individuals and organizations that were not present at committee meetings and to keep them informed of

351-455: The amount of new mail delivery points have steadily increased from year to year to its present estimate of 1.4 million new delivery points a year. Part of the change in mail delivery can be traced to the changes in transportation over the years. Horseback, dog sled, train, car, plane, boat, and truck have all been used to deliver the mail. As the delivery territories have grown, so, too, has the need for more efficient delivery techniques. During

378-410: The committee's proceedings. As part of the consensus process, the Postal Service agreed to use a recommendation by the committee as the basis of the revised standard. Standard 4C represents the committee's recommendation. With one exception, each member of the committee signed the final agreement recommending adoption of this standard. That one committee member, a builders association, though supportive of

405-543: The current USPS regulation for any centralized, wall-mounted mailboxes, whether located inside an office high-rise or within a new single-family subdivision as an outdoor centralized mailbox kiosk. New STD-4C compliant mailboxes are commonly referred to as centralized mail delivery equipment. The Postal Service modified the regulation for new construction due to changing customer mailing habits and specific mail and package volume trends. Postal Service statistics indicate customers receive more mail and of varying sizes than at

432-443: The entire mailbox receptacle. It requires: to accommodate today's larger mail types and sizes The new specification also eliminates the vertical form factor design. The STD-4C specification also requires powder coated finishes; promoting greater corrosion and weather resistance on all centralized mail delivery equipment. Locking mechanism design specifications are also much stronger, providing added mail and parcel security for

459-550: The existing opening mailboxes are currently located in). The STD-4C installation requirements include: Changes in Regulations: The new STD-4C specification introduces a new parcel locker requirement of 1:5 – or one parcel locker for every Five mailbox customer compartments. However, this ratio may not be applicable if there is another method of accepting USPS parcel deliveries such as a staffed service desk. The new STD-4C specification enhances security requirements for

486-632: The first changes to “apartment style” mailboxes in more than 30 years. This new regulation, STD-4C, replaces all previous regulations for mailboxes such as these, which were previously approved under STD-4B and STD-4B+. CBU STD-4C STD-4B+ While centralized mail delivery is the preferred method of delivery by the United States Postal Service for new developments, some residents of these communities are opposed to centralized mail delivery. Those opposed are heavily in favor of conventional door to door delivery and/or do not like

513-481: The idea of CBUs in their neighborhood. STD-4C STD-4C or STANDARD-4C refers to a set of standards and regulations set by the United States Postal Service regarding the specifications of cluster mailbox units used in new construction . All multi unit constructions building plans submitted after October 6, 2006 are required to use STD-4C compliant mailboxes The STD-4C is

540-412: The mail. The STD-4C specification also provides for both a front-loading as well as rear-loading mailbox module. Rear-loading 4C mailbox systems must be installed in a secured room. If mail is delivered to each mailbox individually by the USPS, a key must be provided to the USPS to gain access to the secure mailroom itself (does not apply to private delivery where USPS delivers to one location and mail

567-636: The new STD-4C compliant mailboxes. The modular design of STD-4C mailbox systems makes it easier to create wall-mounted layouts. The 4C specification allows for both single and double column modules in varying heights so be sure to check with each manufacturer in order to include the most extensive line of options for your project. Outgoing mail slots are required in each 4C module. This means they can be used as stand-alone mailbox units or in multi-module layouts. Larger compartment size accommodates catalogs, magazines and other types of "flat" mail without folding and rolling, thereby minimizing potential damage of

SECTION 20

#1732790561236

594-503: The newly designed receptacle is easier to access and serve by carriers, thereby helping to reduce Postal Service costs and becoming the "greenest" delivery method. Developing a new standard: The new standard was developed through a consensus process and was agreed to by a committee of representatives from mailbox manufacturers ; mailbox distributors ; mailbox installers and servicers ; Postal Service customers; multi-unit residential and commercial property builders, owners, and managers; and

621-480: The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, letter carriers knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to answer. Efficiency experts estimated that each carrier lost an hour and a half each day just waiting for patrons to come to the door. To gain back those precious hours, in 1923 the Post Office Department mandated that every household have a mailbox or letter slot to receive mail. By

648-563: The process and generally in concurrence with the new standard, declined to sign the agreement because a provision of the adopted standard establishes a minimum ratio of parcel lockers to customer compartments. This committee member stated its concerns in a comment submitted on the proposed rule, which the Postal Service will address with the other comments received. This new regulation, STD-4C, replaces all previous regulations (4B+, 4B, etc.) and requires STD-4C compliant mailboxes for all new construction and major renovations (defined as any change to

675-521: The residents of a building or an entire neighborhood, instead of door-to-door or curbside delivery. These NDCBUs transformed into the “E” series cluster box units (CBU). New cluster box unit (CBU) specifications were then developed in 2005 and became the standard for ALL manufacturers. Only manufacturers who are approved by the USPS may produce the new “F” series CBU. The USPS began to officially license this new standard in 2007 – now manufacturers must be approved and licensed in order to manufacture

702-545: The time of the last updated standard which prescribed design limitations that are no longer consistent with the operational requirements of the Postal Service. The new standard (which became mandatory in October 2006) requires mailbox receptacles with increased protection for the mail, benefiting both senders and addressees; improves the overall safety of the equipment in use; reduces maintenance costs incurred by buildings; and results in cleaner lobbies with less clutter. Finally,

729-425: The various levels of “approval” by the USPS, these wall-mounted mailboxes have been “rated”. Former approval standards were considered STD-4B+ and related to specific form factors and security levels of the mailbox. Today, STD-4B+ mailboxes are only USPS approved for replacing existing STD-4B+ applications. New USPS regulations related to wall-mounted, clustered type of mailboxes were introduced in 2004. These were

#235764