Safe Classifications for Protection Against Fire and Theft

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Safe Classifications for Protection Against Fire
and Theft
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• Safes are evaluated based upon how well they
  protect their contents against burglary and fire,
  and their construction and performance ratings
  will give an accurate indication of the safes
  reliability when subjected to heat or a break-in.
• Lets break the ratings down further
• Burglary rating
• This is determined by the quality of the safes
  construction and its performance when resisting
  burglary attempts.

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• Construction rating
• Classifying safe construction properties is done
  with the use of two main systems burglary safe
  construction rating and test performance rating.
  Lets look at them both in more detail
• Burglary safe construction rating made by
  insurance companies, safes are graded based on
  the strength of the various building materials,
  and the most common quality ratings are B and C
  class.

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• B class this safe has a steel body less than ½
  inch thick, a steel door less than 1 inch thick,
  and a lock device.
• C class this safe has a steel body at least a ½
  inch thick, a steel door at least 1 inch thick
  that locks, and have a hard plate and a relocking
  device.
• Test performance rating
• Developed by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL),
  safes with a UL label have been tested to verify
  their classification, and there are 4 main
  ratings UL RSC (residential security container),
  UL TL-15, UL TL-30 and UL TL-30X6.

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• UL RSC
• These safes have a 12-gauge steel body and door
  of 3/16 inch steel. It comes with a standard
  combination or electronic lock and must be able
  to withstand 5 minutes of testing (including
  prying, drilling and pounding) by an engineer.
• UL TL-15
• These safes are made of 1 inch solid steel, and
  weigh at least 750lbs, or be anchored, with a
  maximum security combination or electronic lock.
  They are then assessed with the UL Standard 687
  testing process, as with the above mentioned
  safes, but for 15 minutes.

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• UL TL-30
• With the same construction, weight and
  installation requirements as TL-15 models, these
  safes must have a burglary proof combination or
  electronic lock. Testing processes are similar,
  except cutting wheels and power saws can also be
  used, and for up to 30 minutes.
• UL TL-30X6
• With the same construction, weight and
  installation requirements as TL-15 and TL-30
  models, these safes must also have a burglary
  proof combination or electronic lock, and must be
  tested using the same process as with a TL-30
  class, but on all 6 sides.

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• Fire ratings
• Safes tested for their resistance to fire are put
  through a series of tests to verify their
  performance, and evaluation is also carried out
  by the UL.
• ½ hour UL class 350
• Safes must resist exterior heat of 1550 degrees
  Fahrenheit with an interior temperature below 350
  degrees Fahrenheit. Then, the safe is dropped
  from a height of 30 ft and allowed to cool.
  Finally, an explosion test is carried out to
  check whether the door blows off.

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• 1 hour UL class 350
• These safes, as well as passing the above
  mentioned tests, must resist high temperatures
  for 60 minutes during the first phase, before
  being subjected to cool down, drop and explosion
  tests.
• 2 hour UL class 350
• Safes must be able to resist the same UL 350
  testing process, but must be able to withstand
  high temperatures for a full two hours.
• To find the safe that best meets your needs and
  suits your budget, consult with a security
  expert, such as a local, licensed locksmith or a
  safe specialist.

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• BigBearSafe designs, manufactures and distributes
  a large variety of best office safes, home safes,
  vault doors and other physical security equipment
  since 1999. With a team of highly skilled workers
  and engineers our primary goal is not only to
  meet our customers expectations, but to exceed
  them through superior quality and security. If
  you are looking for UL TL 30x6 safe in
  California, visit BigBearSafe.com.