|
>
Depository/Under Counter Safes 
>
Burglary / Fire
Rated Safes
>
Electronic Safes
>
Front Load/Back Load
>
Compact Security Safes
>
Commercial High Security Safes
>
Gun Safes
>
Jewelry Safes
>
Wall Safes
>
Record Safes
We offer safes from top names in the security business:
>
American Security Products Company
>
Gardall Safe Corporation
>
Schwab Safe Company, Inc.
>
A & B Safe Corporation
>
Fortress Safe Company
 Fire
Safes
Safes that protect against fire are usually made
of thin steel sheets (or sometimes plastic) molded together
to form an inner and an outer shell. These units are filled
with an insulating material that will keep the temperature
inside the safe below a certain point for a fixed period of
time. Fire safes prevalent in the market today are usually
one or two-hour rated safes.
There are several testing agencies throughout the world that
certify these types of safes. Tests vary somewhat from agency
to agency but usually include a time temperature test, explosion
test, and impact or drop test. Every fire safe should be clearly
marked with the name of the testing agency and the tests that
were passed.
Fire safes, because of their construction, are best suited
to store non-negotiable documents and just a few valuables.
Cash and high value items belong in a safe better suited against
a burglary attack.
 Burglary
Safes
Burglar safes are usually made of solid steel plate
or a combination of solid steel and composite fill material
such as concrete. These safes are divided into categories
based on the level of protection delivered and the testing
endured. Here we will discuss only four classes, B-Rate, C-Rate,
U.L. TL-15 and U.L. TL-30:
B-Rate
This is a catchall rating for essentially any box with a lock
on it. The safe industry had an unwritten standard of ¼
inch door, ½ inch body. As steel prices (and shipping
costs) increased manufacturers tried many things to reduce
their costs. No tests are given to provide this rating. When
buying a B-rate safe, look at things such as lock work, hard
plates, and relocks.
C-Rate
This is defined as a ½ inch thick steel box with a
1-inch thick door and a lock. As before No tests are given
to provide this rating. Look at the lock work, relocks and
other features when making your decision.
U.L. TL-15
Safes given a U.L. TL-15 rating have all passed standardized
tests defined in UL Standard 687 using the same tools and
usually the same group of testing engineers. I have personally
worked with the same 5 people for 15 years. The label requires
that the safe be constructed of 1-inch solid steel or equivalent.
The label means that the safe has been tested for a NET working
time of 15 minutes using "…common hand tools, drills,
punches hammers, and pressure applying devices." Net
working time means simply "when the tool comes off the
safe the clock stops". There are over fifty different
types of attacks that can be used to gain entrance into the
safe. Usually they will try only 2 or 3 based on what they
know about the product, and they know a lot.
 U.L.
TL-30
These tests are essentially the same as the TL-15 tests except
for, you guessed it, the net working time. They get 30 minutes
and a few more tools to help them gain entrance.
Notes on U.L. safe tests
Keep in mind these engineers have the manufacturing blue prints
and can disassemble the safe being tested before the test
begins to see how it works. They know their stuff.
Thoughts on
Buying a Safe
When you begin the search for a safe it is a good idea to
speak to your insurance agent and see if a particular type
of safe will reduce your insurance costs. Many times you can
justify the additional expense of a higher security safe because
of the premium reduction. For more information, or to find
the right safe for your needs, call 919-881-1191.
|
