HTM 71 vs HTM 63: a practical NHS buyer’s guide to compliant medical cabinets (with BS 2881 & HBN 14-02)

HTM 71 vs HTM 63. Medical cabinets must be safe, hygienic, and auditable. Moreover, they need to fit clinical workflows without slowing care. In the UK, four documents shape good specifications: HTM 71, HTM 63, BS 2881, and HBN 14-02. This guide explains each one in plain English. Then it turns the guidance into a cabinet checklist you can paste into a tender. For product context and examples, visit Total Locker Service and the TLS blog.

What each document covers

HTM 71 — modular storage and ISO trays

HTM 71 focuses on modular materials management. Consequently, it standardises trays, runners, carts, and cabinets so the same ISO trays move from store to trolley to treatment room. As a result, stock rotation improves and waste falls. In practice, the document provides a common language for tray sizes, dividers, labels, and interfaces.

HTM 63 — fitted furniture and fixed cabinetry

HTM 63 covers fixed furniture and fitted storage. It guides carcasses, bench runs, tall units, and shelves that are attached to the building. Consequently, it informs durability, cleanability, and service access for fitted medical cabinets and worktops. In short, use HTM 63 whenever the storage becomes part of the room fabric.

BS 2881 — security performance for medicine cupboards

BS 2881 sets outcome-based security levels for medicine cupboards. Notably, Level 1 is the accepted baseline for general medicines in healthcare premises. The standard focuses on what the cabinet resists — leverage, attack, and fixing tests — rather than on material thickness alone. Therefore, request a clear compliance statement and the level achieved.

HBN 14-02 — how to store medicines in clinical areas

HBN 14-02 provides practical guidance for medicines storage across wards, theatres, and treatment rooms. It addresses access control, controlled drugs (CDs), ambient versus cold-chain storage, and temperature monitoring. In addition, it shapes local SOPs and routine audit. Hence, your cabinet plan should sit beside this document and your site policy.

HTM 71 or HTM 63? Choose the right system

Many rooms use both systems. HTM 63 provides robust fitted cabinetry for benches and wall runs. Meanwhile, HTM 71 adds modular tray capacity for fast visual checks and easy restocking. Together, they reduce handling errors and shorten turnaround at shift change.

• Use HTM 71 for ISO trays, open racking, and mobile trolleys that share one tray format.
• Use HTM 63 for fixed bench runs, wall units, and tall cupboards where durability and clean lines matter.
• Adopt a hybrid when tall fitted units include HTM 71 runners and trays behind the doors.

How BS 2881 and HBN 14-02 shape your brief

Security expectations (BS 2881)

• Level 1 is the normal requirement for general medicines.
• Outcome-based testing assesses leverage, attack, and fixing strength.
• Evidence matters; request a compliance statement or test report naming the level.

Clinical practice (HBN 14-02)

• Store medicines in suitable metal cupboards with appropriate locking.
• Separate controlled drugs and apply stricter access control with logging.
• Define access, temperature monitoring, and daily checks in SOPs for each room type.

Translate the standards into a cabinet specification

1) Scope and intent

• Identify the room type and user group.
• State whether cabinets are fixed (HTM 63), modular (HTM 71), or hybrid.
• List contents: general medicines, CDs, devices, or consumables.

2) Security and locking

• Require BS 2881 Level 1 minimum for medicines cupboards; increase where risk demands.
• Choose lock type: keyed, keypad, or RFID with audit trail if needed.
• Write the key or credential policy covering custody, override, and logging.

For examples, review Probe Medical Cabinets, KFAK medical cabinets, and the electronic variant at Medicine Cabinet Electronic. To compare families, browse the Cabinets overview.

3) Carcase and door construction

• Specify a steel carcase with durable powder-coat finish.
• Choose flush faces, rounded edges, and minimal exposed fixings for easy cleaning.
• Reinforce hinge and lock zones; state shelf load capacity in kilograms.

4) Interiors and accessories

• Use adjustable shelves for medicines and small devices.
• Add an internal lockable box for higher-risk items when policy requires it.
• For modular rooms, specify HTM 71 runners, ISO trays, dividers, and clear labels.
• Apply number plates and consistent shelf labelling to support audit.

See typical internal layouts in the KFAK02 datasheet. For practical use cases, scan the TLS blog.

5) Fixing and installation

• Anchor into suitable substrates using through-bolts or heavy-duty anchors.
• Set installation heights for safe reach in standing and seated use.
• Provide a method statement for drilling, dust control, and making-good after works.

6) Cleanability and hygiene

• Specify smooth, non-absorbent surfaces compatible with site detergents and disinfectants.
• Prefer removable shelves and trays to speed wipe-downs.
• Keep side and skirting access clear to support floor cleaning machinery.

7) Temperature and environment

• State ambient storage limits; include refrigeration policy where relevant.
• Include temperature monitoring if medicine stability depends on it.

8) Documentation pack

• Provide a BS 2881 compliance statement with level and fixing instructions.
• Add an HBN 14-02 alignment note for the room type and storage regime.
• Include cleaning and maintenance instructions for staff training.
• Supply as-installed drawings plus spare keys and credential records.

Infection prevention by design

Hygiene depends on materials, geometry, and routine. Therefore, prioritise flat doors, cleanable pulls, and protected hinges. In addition, add sloping tops to tall units to discourage clutter and dust. Mount cabinets so that sides and skirtings remain accessible for cleaning. Finally, provide a simple SOP with frequencies by zone so daily wipe-downs become faster and more consistent.

Access control options (pros and cons)

• Keyed: simple and low cost; however, keys require strict custody.
• Keypad: removes keys; rotate codes per shift or session; plan for overrides.
• RFID: cards, fobs, or wristbands; supports audit trail and integration across sites.
• Hybrid: keypad or RFID with an override key for business continuity.

Lock references and options: Locker & cabinet locks and RFID locks.

Ergonomics and accessibility

• Fix wall cabinets so the top shelf sits within safe reach for the shortest staff who will use them.
• Place labels or vision panels at eye level for quick identification.
• Allow clear door swing and maintain corridor widths for trolley movement.
• Keep heavy items between knee and chest height to reduce strain injury.
• Provide lower cabinets and easy-grip pulls where wheelchair access is required.

Room-by-room examples

Small GP treatment room

• Install one BS 2881 Level 1 wall cabinet above the prep bench (HTM 63 fitted).
• Add one HTM 71 trolley with ISO trays for dressings and devices.
• Use a keypad lock to avoid key management; rotate codes regularly.
• Adopt a cleaning SOP with daily wipe-downs and a weekly deep clean.

Ward medicines room

• Fit two HTM 63 wall cabinets for medicines and one CD cabinet to local policy.
• Provide one tall HTM 71 tower with ISO trays for syringes, cannulas, and consumables.
• Select RFID access for audit in out-of-hours periods.
• Label all shelves and trays with durable number plates.

Ambulatory care bay

• Mount HTM 71 wall frames by each bay for rapid visual stock checks.
• Locate a central medicines cabinet in the staff base with keypad access.
• Check door swings against corridor width and keep travel paths clear.

Fixing and installation detail

• Confirm the substrate (blockwork, stud, or plywood pattress) before selecting fixings.
• Use through-bolts or heavy-duty anchors sized for cabinet weight and shelf loads.
• Seal penetrations where infection prevention requires it; make good all surfaces.
• Record fixing locations on the as-installed drawing for future maintenance.

Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)

• Assuming “steel = compliant”. Without BS 2881 evidence and proper fixings, a cabinet can still fail audit; always ask for the level achieved.
• Mixing medicines with consumables. The practice slows clinical work and complicates audits; separate streams and use HTM 71 trays for consumables.
• Under-specifying locks. If you need audit and shared use, choose RFID or keypad and write the policy.
• Forgetting cleaning access. Lack of stands, side access, or sloping tops increases labour; design for cleaning from the start.
• No temperature policy. Where medicines require it, add monitoring and logs to local procedure.

Paste-ready specification text

Objective: Supply and install medicines storage for clinical areas.

Standards: Fitted furniture to HTM 63; modular tray storage to HTM 71. Medicines cupboards to BS 2881 Level 1 minimum. Layout and operation aligned to HBN 14-02.

Construction: Steel carcase; durable powder-coat; flush doors; cleanable hinges and pulls.

Interiors: Adjustable shelves; internal lockable compartment where required. For modular units, ISO tray runners with dividers and labels.

Locks: [Keyed / Keypad / RFID] as specified; override capability for downtime.

Fixings: Wall anchors to substrate; installers to provide method statement and making-good.

Cleanability: Surfaces compatible with neutral detergents and approved disinfectants; shelves/trays removable.

Handover: Certificates or declarations for BS 2881; operation and cleaning instructions; as-installed drawings; spare keys or credential list.

Product links and buyer resources (Total Locker Service)

• Medical cabinets (Probe range)
• KFAK medicine cabinets (sizes and options)
• KFAK02 datasheet (internal layout)
• Electronic medicine cabinet (keypad/RFID)
• Cabinets overview
• Locker & cabinet locks and RFID lock options
• TLS blog (use cases and guides)

Conclusion

HTM 71 and HTM 63 solve different problems. The first standardises trays and stock movement. The second standardises fitted furniture so rooms are durable and easy to clean. BS 2881 defines how tough a medicines cupboard must be. HBN 14-02 explains how to use cabinets safely in clinical areas. Combine all four in your brief. Then select cabinet families and locks that match your workflow, fix them properly, and write a clear cleaning and access routine. The result is a compliant, auditable, and efficient medicines room.