Security Ratings Explained
Many safes look the same, but not all safes are built the same! Understanding what levels of protection are available is the first step in determining what safe is best suited for your application.
There are three general categories of safes:
Burglary Safes (offering theft protection but little to no fire protection)
Fire Safes (offering fire protection but minimal theft protection)
Fire/Burglary Hybrids (the most common and the most useful type of safe)
The rating or classification of a safe indicates the degree of protection that safe will provide its contents in the case attempted burglary or fire. Safes are classified using two different methods: Construction Ratings and Test Performance Ratings. Construction classification relates to burglar protection and is determined by the material specifications of the safe (ie B Rated or C Rated). To receive a performance rating, the safe must both be built to a construction specification and be independently tested by attempted break-in to make sure it meets the standard (ie UL TL-15).
The best known independent burglary testing agency is United Laboratories (UL) and their most common BURGLARY/SECURITY ratings progress as follows...
B - CLASSIFICATION
THE “B” BURGLARY RESISTIVE CLASSIFICATION IS AN INDUSTRY CONSTRUCTION RATING. THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION RATING WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP A STANDARD THAT WILL INDICATE THE DEGREE OF PROTECTION A SAFE WILL PROVIDE AGAINST AN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY ATTACK.
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS: STEEL DOORS LESS THAN 1″ THICK AND STEEL BODY LESS THAN 1/2″ THICK.
C - CLASSIFICATION
THE “C” BURGLARY RESISTIVE CLASSIFICATION IS AN INDUSTRY CONSTRUCTION RATING. THIS TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION RATING WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP A STANDARD THAT WILL INDICATE THE DEGREE OF PROTECTION A SAFE WILL PROVIDE AGAINST AN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY ATTACK.
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS: STEEL DOORS AT LEAST 1″ THICK AND STEEL BODY AT LEAST 1/2″ THICK.
UL RSC I (RESIDENTIAL SECURITY CONTAINER - LEVEL I)
SIGNIFIES A COMBINATION-LOCKED SAFE DESIGNED TO OFFER A LIMITED DEGREE OF PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK BY COMMON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS AND ANY COMBINATION OF THESE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS:
* U.L. LISTED GROUP II COMBINATION LOCK OR TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC LOCK.
* DOOR MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 3/16″ OPEN HEARTH STEEL.
* BODY WALLS OF MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 12 GAUGE OPEN HEARTH STEEL.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE DOOR SUCCESSFULLY RESIST ENTRY FOR A NET WORKING TIME OF 5 MINUTES WHEN ATTACKED AGAINST RIGOROUS PRYING, DRILLING, PUNCHING, CHISELING, AND TAMPERING ATTACKS BY UL TECHNICIANS.
UL RSC II (RESIDENTIAL SECURITY CONTAINER - LEVEL 2)
SIGNIFIES A COMBINATION-LOCKED SAFE DESIGNED TO OFFER A LIMITED DEGREE OF PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK BY COMMON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS AND ANY COMBINATION OF THESE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
* U.L. LISTED GROUP II COMBINATION LOCK OR TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC LOCK.
* DOOR MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 3/16″ OPEN HEARTH STEEL.
* BODY WALLS OF MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 12 GAUGE OPEN HEARTH STEEL.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE DOOR SUCCESSFULLY RESIST ENTRY FOR A NET WORKING TIME OF 10 MINUTES WHEN ATTACKED AGAINST RIGOROUS PRYING, DRILLING, PUNCHING, CHISELING, AND TAMPERING ATTACKS BY UL TECHNICIANS.
UL TL-15
SIGNIFIES A COMBINATION-LOCKED SAFE DESIGNED TO OFFER A MAXIMUM DOOR PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK BY COMMON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS AND ANY COMBINATION OF THESE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
• U.L. LISTED GROUP 2M, 1, 1R COMBINATION LOCK OR TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC LOCK
• 750 LBS. MINIMUM OR COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANCHORING IN A LARGER SAFE, CONCRETE BLOCKS OR ON THE PREMISES WHERE USED.
• BODY WALLS OF MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 1″ OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH A MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• WALLS FASTENED IN A MANNER EQUIVALENT TO CONTINUOUS ¼” PENETRATION WELD OF OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• ONE HOLE ¼” OR LESS, TO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS ARRANGED TO HAVE NO DIRECT VIEW OF THE DOOR OR LOCKING MECHANISM.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE DOOR SUCCESSFULLY RESIST ENTRY* FOR A NET WORKING TIME OF 15 MINUTES WHEN ATTACKED WITH COMMON HAND TOOLS, PICKING TOOLS, MECHANICAL OR PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS, GRINDING POINTS, CARBIDE DRILLS AND PRESSURE APPLYING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS.
* ENTRY MEANS FOR: OPENING THE DOOR OR MAKING A 6 SQUARE INCH OPENING ENTIRELY THROUGH THE DOOR OR FRONT FACE
UL TL-30
SIGNIFIES A COMBINATION-LOCKED SAFE DESIGNED TO OFFER A MAXIMUM DOOR PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK BY COMMON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS AND ANY COMBINATION OF THESE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
• U.L. LISTED GROUP 2M, 1, 1R COMBINATION LOCK OR TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC LOCK
• 750 LBS. MINIMUM OR COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANCHORING IN A LARGER SAFE, CONCRETE BLOCKS OR ON THE PREMISES WHERE USED.
• BODY WALLS OF MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 1″ OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH A MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• WALLS FASTENED IN A MANNER EQUIVALENT TO CONTINUOUS ¼” PENETRATION WELD OF OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• ONE HOLE ¼” OR LESS, TO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS ARRANGED TO HAVE NO DIRECT VIEW OF THE DOOR OR LOCKING MECHANISM.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE DOOR SUCCESSFULLY RESIST ENTRY* FOR A NET WORKING TIME OF 30 MINUTES WHEN ATTACKED WITH COMMON HAND TOOLS, PICKING TOOLS, MECHANICAL OR PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS, GRINDING POINTS, CARBIDE DRILLS AND PRESSURE APPLYING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, ABRASIVE CUTTING WHEELS AND POWER SAWS.
* ENTRY MEANS FOR: OPENING THE DOOR OR MAKING A 6 SQUARE INCH OPENING ENTIRELY THROUGH THE DOOR OR FRONT FACE
UL TL-30X6 (TL-30 PROTECTION ON ALL 6 SIDES)
SIGNIFIES A COMBINATION-LOCKED SAFE DESIGNED TO OFFER A MAXIMUM SIX-SIDED BODY AND DOOR PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK BY COMMON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL HAND TOOLS AND ANY COMBINATION OF THESE MEANS.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
• U.L. LISTED GROUP 2M, 1, 1R COMBINATION LOCK OR TYPE 1 ELECTRONIC LOCK
• 750 LBS. MINIMUM OR COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANCHORING IN A LARGER SAFE, CONCRETE BLOCKS OR ON THE PREMISES WHERE USED.
• BODY WALLS OF MATERIAL EQUIVALENT TO AT LEAST 1″ OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH A MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• WALLS FASTENED IN A MANNER EQUIVALENT TO CONTINUOUS ¼” PENETRATION WELD OF OPEN HEARTH STEEL WITH MINIMUM TENSILE STRENGTH OF 50,000 P.S.I.
• ONE HOLE ¼” OR LESS, TO ACCOMMODATE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS ARRANGED TO HAVE NO DIRECT VIEW OF THE DOOR OR LOCKING MECHANISM.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
THE BODY AND DOOR SUCCESSFULLY RESIST ENTRY* FOR A NET WORKING TIME OF 30 MINUTES WHEN ATTACKED WITH COMMON HAND TOOLS, PICKING TOOLS, MECHANICAL OR PORTABLE ELECTRIC TOOLS, GRINDING POINTS, CARBIDE DRILLS AND PRESSURE APPLYING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, ABRASIVE CUTTING WHEELS AND POWER SAWS.
* ENTRY MEANS FOR: OPENING THE DOOR OR MAKING A 6 SQUARE INCH OPENING ENTIRELY THROUGH THE BODY, DOOR OR FRONT FACE