How to choose the right safe

Everyone has the same security concerns but we don’t all have the same security needs. Some homeowners need only fire protection, some need only burglary protection and others need both. Some businesses require a safe with a particular UL rating for insurance.

To help you choose the right safe review the information below. No matter what type of safe you are looking for the information below will be useful.

For Homeowners and Business owners

Fire protection
Fire protection safes provide just that. The construction of this type of safe is designed to keep the temperature inside the safe low enough to prevent paper from burning. There are different levels of fire protection and many independent testing facilities. The most respected facility is Underwriters Laboratories (UL). To see UL fire rating explained click here.

The least desirable fire test is done in house by the manufacturer. This type of test is unsupervised by an independent authority so the consumer has no way of knowing how the test is conducted other than taking the manufacturer’s word. Do you really want to trust someone who tests themselves?

Safes manufactured and tested overseas also give cause for concern. The standards are usually less than similar tests given in America.

Weight is completely irrelevant when it comes to fire protection. The newer and more sophisticated materials are actually lighter and provide the same or better fire protection than safes simply clad in cement. A safe that is tested by UL is your best assurance that your important documents are properly protected.

Burglary Protection
Burglary protection safes are made with various materials and in a variety of strength levels. In addition to a strong door and body, burglary protection safes are equipped with a more sophisticated lock and boltwork system compared to fire protection safes. An explanation of the differences is shown in the protection level ratings.

UL Rated Burglary Safes
The highest quality burglary protection safes are rated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). In fact, certain businesses MUST HAVE a UL rating in order to get insurance. For example, it is mandatory for a jeweler to have a UL rated safe in order to get any insurance coverage. The importance of this UL rating cannot be exaggerated. There is no other testing facility in the world that is more highly regarded than Underwriters Laboratories.