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Our experts talking Safes, Security and More!

Advice & Tips

Advice & Tips
In this category, you will find interesting articles that further discuss specific regulations, types of safes, type of security as well as installing safes yourself to choose the right safe for your situation. In short, useful and practical tips on safes, fire safes and related products.
Planning a Holiday in the UK this Summer? – Bulldog Hitch Locks and Wheel Clamps
Planning a Holiday in the UK this Summer? – Bulldog Hitch Locks and Wheel Clamps

 

Since the Covid Pandemic hit in March 2020, travelling abroad has become increasingly difficult due to the continuing changes to the traffic light system.

This along with the high risk of self-isolation on return is making it unattractive to travel overseas.

In comparison, the number of people planning staycations in the UK has risen significantly.

The increased usage of motorhomes and caravans will naturally rise. But making sure that these are secure before, during and after usage is essential to your valuable caravans or motorhomes.

At Simplysafes we provide a fantastic selection of Wheel Clamps and Hitch Locks from Bulldog to match all your requirements.

 

 


Hitch Locks

A hitch lock for a caravan is just as crucial as the key for the door of the caravan in terms of security. The usage of a hitch lock prevents your caravan being hitched up and towed away by thieves.

When choosing a hitch lock it is crucial that the correct one is chosen and purchased so that it fits correctly and secures your caravan or trailer as it should. At Simplysafes we have over 20 different Bulldog Hitch Locks to choose from.

For each model we have added further documentation to each product to make it easier to identify the correct one you need.

If you are still unsure on the correct hitch lock that you require please contact one of our team and we can ensure the correct model is selected.

On the side of your tyre it should state a number for example - "225/75"

Hitch Lock Identification Chart

Hitch Lock in Review – Bulldog BRC/BK Heavy Duty Hitch Lock

The BRC/BK from Bulldog is a heavy duty and well constructed hitch lock. It is easy to fit and has been supplied with a Bulldog super lock bolt and comes with 2 keys. The hitch lock has also been tested to the standard of Sold Secure Gold and is also insurance approved.

It provides excellent value for money and offers great security to your caravan or trailer. It can be used on Bradley Autoheads with rubber grip handles. Models GA3500, GA2750 & D05050 with and without cappits.

Pros & Cons

  • 5 Year warranty
  • Insurance approved
  • Supplied with Bulldog Super Lock Bolt including 2 keys
  • Easy to fit
  • Approved by Sold Secure
  • Can only be used unhitched

 

View the Bulldog BRC/BK Heavy Duty Hitch Lock on our website


Wheel Clamps

The usage of a wheel clamp on a car, motorhome, caravan or any other vehicle provides that physical immobilisation for your piece of mind.

With any vehicle you are provided a level of security with a physical key or electronic key fob. But having a wheel clamp secured on your vehicle provides that extra level to deter any potential thieves.

When choosing a wheel clamp it is crucial that the correct one is chosen and purchased so that it fits correctly and secures your vehicle as it should. At Simplysafes we have over 20 different Bulldog wheel clamps to choose from.

For each model we have added further documentation to each product to make it easier to identify the correct one you need.

If you are still unsure on the correct wheel clamp that you require please contact one of our team and we can ensure the correct model is selected.

 


Wheel Clamp in Review - Bulldog Centaur CA2000C Wheel Clamp

The Bulldog Centaur CA2000C wheel clamp has been manufactured to an excellent standard and is suitable for motorhomes, vans and 4 x 4 vehicles. The Centaur meets police approved standards and has also obtained Sold Secure Gold approval.

One big advantage of the CA2000C is that it has adjustable arms to allow fitting to a variety of wheel sizes, Please double check the sizing if you are still unsure.

The Centaur is one of our most popular wheel clamps from Bulldog, but we have a great selection of other wheel clamps to choose from here.

Pros & Cons

  • Insurance approved
  • Supplied with Bulldog Super Bolt lock
  • 2 keys supplied
  • Adjustable arms
  • Approved by Sold Secure

 

View the Bulldog Centaur C2000C Wheel Clamp on our website


Securing your valuables in your motorhomes or caravan?

Now that your caravan or motorhome might be secured with a hitch lock or wheel clamp. It is important not to disregard the security of your cash or valuables. You may be out on a day trip, walk or night out. But you have also left personal belongings in the caravan.

Why not have that extra peace of mind whilst out by purchasing a small home safe to secure cash or valuables?

Please see our top 3 recommendations below -


Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1

Pros & Cons

  • Digital electronic lock supplied with emergency override key
  • Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
  • Anti-bump solenoid – Prevents the safe from being bumped open
  • Can be anchored to the base or back wall
  • Not fire resistant

 

View the Burton Primo Home Safe Size 1 on our website


Chubbsafes Air 10E Compact Home Safe

Pros & Cons

  • Beautiful design, good quality
  • Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
  • Robust keyboard
  • Can be anchored to floor and wall, incl. mounting hardware
  • Only 1 user code adjustable

 

View the Chubbsafes Air 10E on our website


Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe

Pros & Cons

  • Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
  • Supplied with an easy to use digital electronic lock
  • Concealed internal hinges
  • Carpeted floor
  • Not fire resistant

 

View the Phoenix Vela SS0803E Home Safe on our website


Need advice?

If you have any questions on hitch locks and wheel clamps or any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team.


Gun Cabinet Certification - Sold Secure SS302
Gun Cabinet Certification - Sold Secure SS302

 

In the United Kingdom it is vitally important to abide with current rules and laws around the storing of firearms securely. It is an offence to not comply with certain conditions. If offences are committed it can lead to a prison sentence, or a fine, or both.

When choosing a gun cabinet it is important to make the correct selection, so you can then adhere to this current legislation. Many different suppliers of gun cabinets offer different levels of security with each product offered.


Gun Safe Cabinets – BS7558:1992

The current British standard for a gun safe is BS7558:1992, which details the requirements to which gun cabinets must conform.  Although conformity to BS7558:1992 is mandatory, many gun cabinets remain untested and not certified to this day.

If you are going to store expensive firearms securely, it is important to choose the most appropriate gun cabinet to match your requirements.


Who are Sold Secure?

Originally Established in 1992 by Northumbria and Essex Police, with the help and backing of the Home Office. Sold Secure is dedicated to reducing the risk of crime by the assessment of a vast range of security products. Sold Secure is now owned and administered by the Master Locksmiths Association. Products are regularly tested by a highly skilled team.

 


What is Sold Secure SS302?

Sold Secure’s test specification SS302 meets and exceeds the minimum required in Britain of BS7558 for gun cabinets. Sold Secure work closely with the insurance industry, government organisations and the police to ensure that the products being tested are fit for purpose and grade them at either Bronze, Silver or Gold.

 


How does testing work?

The testing and approval for Sold Secure is classified into 3 main categories; Gold, Silver and Bronze (there is an additional Diamond grade in some specifications). The higher the grade, the higher the level of security offered by the product. Bronze is the lowest grade and Gold is the highest, unless in a specification with a Diamond grade, in which case Diamond is the highest. The amount of time and the tools allowed are dependent on which test specification is being tested to. This is because Sold Secure testing replicates attack methods used by criminals to ensure maximum security for the intended application; thus, a Gold grade product would need to withstand heavier duty tools for an extended timeframe, in comparison to a Silver or Bronze grade product.

 


Gun Cabinets Certified with Sold Secure SS302

Warden LFS Gun Safe Range

The Burton Warden gun safe range has been certified to Firearms Cabinets SS302:2020. It has been approved to the Silver Standard by Sold Secure.

The Warden is available in two different sizes (LFS 6 and LFS 14). It also comes with two different locking types with the choice of either a double bitted key lock or easy to use digital electronic lock. It has been built to an excellent standard and can be anchored to the base or back wall for added security.

Pros & Cons

  • Certified class by IMP Eurograde 1 according to EN 1143-1
  • Solid 3-way boltwork with live, steel bolts
  • 100% Police approved
  • Independently tested to SS302 for gun security
  • High density foam gun divider
  • 30 minutes fire protection
  • Heavy Safe

View the Burton Warden LFS Gun Safe range on our website

 

Tips and advice for buying an electronic safe
Tips and advice for buying an electronic safe

Today, many cheap electronic safes are offered in DIY stores or online. It itself may seem tempting to purchase one, But watch out! Such safes are very fragile due to their construction.

Are electronic safes not to be trusted at all?

Yes, there are plenty of good certified electronic safes available that cannot be manipulated. All electronic safes certified according to European Standard EN 14450, EN 1143-1 and EN 1143-2 are equipped with a certified digital lock. These standards require an EN 1300 certified lock.

A certified lock according to EN 1300 costs at least around £150. A good electronic safe therefore quickly costs around £200.

With most inexpensive and non-certified security safes, we can assume that a simple and vulnerable lock or locking mechanism is fitted. Often these locks are also provided with an emergency key. In general, we also see similar constructions and locks with fire-resistant safes, but there we protect against fire and not against burglary.


What is an electronic safe?

An electronic safe is a certain type of safe with an electronic lock. This can be a burglar-resistant safe, a fire-resistant safe or a double-certified safe that offers protection against both. The electronic lock blocks and unlocks the locking mechanism based on a self-selected pin code that is entered.

In practice, most people looking for an electronic safe will simply be looking for a reasonable burglar-resistant safe with a digital code lock.


Advantages of an electronic safe

An electronic code lock offers various conveniences. You don't have to manage a key or just an emergency key. Several people can use the number combination of the safe to open it.

More advanced locks have a master code, user codes and an adjustable opening delay. This means that the user must wait a minimum of time after entering the code before the safe can actually be opened. There are also some electronic locks with readable memory and have an option to forward onto an emergency centre. Prices of such locks are from £250.


Disadvantages of an electronic safe

An electronic lock can also have its drawbacks. It often happens that users choose a difficult pin code and forget it. When there is no emergency key option, this simply means that the safe can no longer be opened in the normal way and an expert will have to be involved to open the safe. With most EN 1300 certified locks it is impossible to reset the safe and the code when it is closed.


Batteries are exhausted

The lock works on the basis of batteries and they go up once. What then? Most safes will send a signal in good time that the batteries are due for replacement. If you do not replace the batteries in time, the safe will no longer open at some point.

If the lock is supplied with an emergency key, this can be used to open the safe. With a (more expensive) advanced lock, an external battery can be connected.


Important considerations when buying an electronic safe

A good digital lock is not the only important thing with a safe, of course. For good protection, the housing and construction must also be of good quality to provide good protection for your valuables.

Before buying a safe, answer the following questions:

What do I want to store in it?

Money, jewellery and valuables? Take into account the value storage indication of the safe. A safe without valuables is hardly resistant and the contents cannot be insured.

Read more about burglary resistance, certifications and value storage in our selection guide

Do I need fire protection?

A security safe is not necessarily fire resistant and vice versa. If you are looking for a fire resistant electronic safe, take into account the certified fire resistance.

Read more about fire resistant safes

Where do I place the safe and can I anchor it?

With safes up to 1000kg, it is necessary to anchor in the wall and / or ground, otherwise you run the risk that the safe is taken in its entirety. Think in advance of a good place for the safe where you can easily reach and the safe can also be firmly anchored.

Read more about how to secure a safe


Advice

If you want to keep valuables and cash safe, always choose a safe with a certificate. There are safes that provide protection against burglary / theft, fire or a combination of both.

In general, the higher the investment, the better construction and protection against burglary and fire.

View all electronic safes

Would you like tailored advice for the best electronic safe for your situation? Feel free to contact our experts.

A safe and fire safety of DIN 4102
A safe and fire safety of DIN 4102

If you are looking for a safe you will undoubtedly have come across the term DIN 4102. This term is incorrectly used in many safes, and is referred to as a fire-resistant classification. In some cases, even 30 minutes of fire safety is claimed.

Fire resistant tests show that such a construction does not provide fire safety for paper documents or other valuable property. Reason for us to inform you further about this phenomenon that 'safe marketers' are very busy with.


What is DIN 4102?

DIN stands for "Deutsches Institut für Normung", meaning "German institute for standardisation". It is a German national body that deals with the most diverse standard subjects. The DIN institute has drawn up requirements for the fire safety of materials that can be found within Europe, namely the DIN 4102.

DIN 4102 takes into account all properties with regard to the reaction to fire of materials, such as flammability / non-flammability, heat release, flammability, flame spread rate at the material surface and smoke development. During a fire test, the flammability of different materials was determined and classified into different classes A1 (non-flammable) to B3 (highly flammable).


What is the meaning of fire resistant DIN 4102 in a safe?

If a safe manufacturer uses a non-flammable or flame-resistant filling material from the DIN standard, we can already speak of fire safety in accordance with DIN 4102. In practice, double-walled safes are filled with a material, such as Rockwool, as a fire-resistant filling or insulation material. . However ,

  • DIN 4102 is not a standard for safes!
  • Safe constructions according to DIN 4102 are not tested in a fire!
  • Fire safety of a safe according to DIN 4102 is very limited; in a fire just minutes!

Note

A safe with a DIN4102 construction is by definition not a bad safe. It is actually a simple and cheap way of the manufacturer to provide a safe with (some) fire retardant protection. Marketing is happy to respond to this and claims fire safety for up to 30 minutes. When we talk about fire safety in safes, this is actually not correct.

Correct is the construction as such, is tested in controlled conditions, and the temperature throughout remains within the vault below the limit of 177 ° C for 30 minutes.

Many burglar-resistant safes are constructed in this way. During the manufacturing process, the walls are filled with fire retardant material. This also ensures that the (burglar-resistant) safe sounds less hollow and 'metallic'.

When we talk about fire-resistant safes or safes, we mean a safe with real fire safety.


Which safes are really fire resistant?

A good fire-resistant safe construction is characterized by the fact that the filling material absorbs (heat) energy. A fire-resistant safe must ensure that the internal temperature remains below a certain threshold for a certain time (usually 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes). The critical limit is 177 ° C for paper (records, diplomas, certificates, etc.) and 52 ° C for data media (backup tapes, microfilms, USB sticks, CDs, DVDs, etc . ).

With data media it is also important that the relative humidity should not exceed 85% because at higher values ​​data media will no longer be usable.

Really fire-resistant safes are safes that have been tested and certified. The most stringent standard for fire-resistant safes is the European standard EN 1047-1. This standard tests at very high temperatures, a mandatory drop test and a cooling down period are part of the test procedure.

Then there are a number of other common standards in the safe industry that are applied. For example, testing is done under less severe conditions, such as a lower temperature, or the drop test or cooling period is missing. In many situations this may be sufficient, making the requirements more limited and making the construction cheaper. This of course benefits the purchase price.


Table fire resistant standards document and data safes

 Norm Temperature  duration test Drop test  Cooling off period Paper Data media
EN 1047-1 1090 ° C yes, 9.15 m with cooling period
  • S60P (1 hour)
  • S120P (2 hours)
  • S60DIS (1 hour)
  • S120DIS (2 hours)
EN 15659 850 ° C No not tested
  • LFS30P (½ hour)
  • LFS60P (1hr)
 not tested
UL 72  1) 1000 ° C yes, 9 m with cooling period
  • Class 350 - ½hr (½ hour)
  • Class 350 - 1hr (1 hour)
  • Class 350 - 2hr (2 hours)
  • Class 125 - ½hr (½ hour)
  • Class 125 - 1hr (1 hour)
  • Class 125 - 2hr (2 hours)
NT Fire 017 1090 ° C No not tested
  • 60Paper (1hr)
  • 120Paper (2 hours)
  • 60Diskette (1hr)
  • 120Diskette (2 hours)
JIS (S1037) 927 ° C yes, 4 m not tested
  • JIS 60P (1hr)
  • JIS 120P (2hrs)
not tested
GB16810-1997 945 ° C No not tested
  • 60Paper (1 hour)
not tested
ETL  760 ° C yes, 4.5 m not tested not tested
  • ½-hour (½ hour)
  • 1 hour (1 hour)
  • 2-hour (2 hours)
MTS DIP 120-60DM  2) 945 ° C No not tested not tested
  • Grade B (1 hour)
DIN 4102 3)  not tested No not tested not tested  not tested

1) With UL 72 standard, a drop test (extra heavy test) is not required
2) MTS DIP is an in-house test by the manufacturer
3) With DIN 4102 nothing is tested


The boxes, document safes, drawers and data safes below are truly fire resistant.

 Fireproof boxes  Document Safes Fireproof chest of drawers Data Safes

Would you like more information about fire resistant safes ? Have a look at our fireproof safes or contact us for further information and advice.

Expert Review: De Raat PT1 Home Safe (score 7,6/10)
Expert Review: De Raat PT1 Home Safe (score 7,6/10)

update: 14-06-2022

De Raat PT1 is no longer available 

Unfortunately, the De Raat PT1 is no longer available. The replacement is the De Raat DRS Vega S2, which is also available in several variants. See the De Raat DRS Vega S2 here.

In this expert review, we take a closer look at De Raat's popular PT1 home safe.

It is a home safe designed to protect cash and valuables. De Raat's PT series is Security Level S2 certified according to European Standard EN 14450, filled with a fire-retardant material and can be anchored to the floor or wall. The ET series includes the same construction method, certification and models, but is equipped with a digital code lock instead of a key lock. See also below for an overview.

View all safes from De Raat Security.

Expert Review: Chubbsafes Homesafe (score 8,5/10)
Expert Review: Chubbsafes Homesafe (score 8,5/10)

Today we are going to review the Chubbsafes Homesafe 50 EL.

The Homesafe series is the latest range of home safes from Chubbsafes and designed for the safe storage of money, jewellery and paper documents. The range offers certified protection against burglary and fire.

The Homesafe series is European certified class S2 according to EN 14450 with a value storage of £4,000 for cash and £40,000 for valuables.
The Homesafe series is European certified class LFS30P according to EN 15659 and offers 1/2 hour fire protection for paper documents.

Anchoring is possible via the bottom by means of 2 large anchors (included). In our review we look at model 50 EL which is equipped with an electronic code lock. In total there are 6 models ranging from 11 to 91 liters. Equipped with a key lock or electronic code lock per model.

 

Order the Chubbsafes Homesafe 50 EL on our website


Buying Guide: Fireproof Safe
Buying Guide: Fireproof Safe

Always protect your irreplaceable valuables against fire!

Vital and irreplaceable paper documents (tax returns, certificates, diplomas, customer information, personnel files, contracts, etc.) have high emotional value or are critical to any business operation and must be protected from fire.

Statistics indicate that companies need to take additional measures to protect their sensitive information.

 


What is a fire resistant safe?

A fire resistant safe (or safe) is designed to ensure that the temperature inside the safe does not rise above a certain temperature during a fire and to prevent damage to the contents. Depending on the items stored in the safe, the temperature should not exceed:

  • 177 ° C for paper (documents, files, contracts, etc.)
  • 52 ° C for data media (backup tapes, floppies, microfilms, hard disks DVDs, CDs, USB sticks, memory cards etc.)

For data media, the relative humidity must not exceed 85%. This requirement does not apply to paper, because paper is not destroyed if it gets wet.

The fire resistance of a safe is indicated in minutes or hours.


Fire resistant tests & standards

There are several tests that are performed on fire resistant safes to measure fire safety. For more information about fire resistant safes, tests and standards go to What is a fire resistant safe?


Fire resistant standards table

The following standards are applied internationally. If one of these tests is carried out by a VdS, SP, UL or JIS), a correct execution of the fire test is ensured. The test results are reliable. Independent experts recommend a fire-resistant safe certified to one of these standards and test institutes.

Norm Temperature duration test Drop test  Paper Data Media
EN 1047-1 1090 ° C yes, 9.15m
  • S60P (1 hour)
  • S120P (2 hours)
  • S60DIS (1 hour)
  • S120DIS (2 hours)
EN 15659 850 ° C No
  • LFS30 (½ hour)
  • LFS 60 (1hr)
n / a
UL 72 1000 ° C yes, 9m (optional)
  • Class 350 - ½hr (½ hour)
  • Class 350 - 1hr (1 hour)
  • Class 350 - 2hr (2 hours)
  • Class 125 - ½hr (½ hour)
  • Class 125 - 1hr (1 hour)
  • Class 125 - 2hr (2 hours)
JIS (S1037) 927 ° C yes, 4m
  • JIS 60P (1hr)
  • JIS 120P (2hrs)
 n / a
NT Fire 017 1090 ° C No
  • 60 Paper (1hr)
  • 120 Paper (2 hours)
  • 60 Diskette (1hr)
  • 120 Diskette (2 hours)

Attention!

The following standards are applied nationally or locally by, for example, manufacturer or supplier. Testing is also done as "in-house testing" for eg product development. Today, there are many products on the market with these labels and certification. They are real tests, but not independent and not checked. If you do not want to take any risks with the choice of a fire resistant safe for the safe storage of your personal belongings or business criticism documents and data media, always choose a fire resistant safe certified of one of the above standards!

GB16810-1997  945 ° C No
  • 60 Paper (1 hour)
n / a
ETL 760 ° C yes, 4.5m n / a
  • ½-hour (½ hour)
  • 1 hour (1 hour)
  • 2-hour (2 hours)
MTS DIP 120-60DM  945 ° C No n / a
  • Grade B (1hr)

Note

  • Data media are most vulnerable storage media, such as: backup tapes, floppy disks, photo negatives, (traditional) hard disks, USB sticks, CDs, DVDs, memory cards
  • For a real fire resistant safe choose a safe certified according to EN 1047-1, EN 15659, UL72, JIS (S1037) or NT Fire 017.
  • For the best fire resistant safe, choose a safe certified to EN 1047-1 or UL72.
  • A fire-resistant construction according to DIN 4102 does not yet make a fire-safe. At most, it provides a fire delay of a few minutes. See our DIN 4102 article.

Which fireproof safe is most suitable for me?

In order to make the right choice, you need to know the following:

  1. How long should the safe provide protection against fire?
  2. How big should the safe be? What is the required storage capacity?
  3. Is an indication of value storage required for storing cash or other valuables?
  4. Which type of lock do you prefer?
  5. What is your budget?
  6. Miscellaneous

1. Duration of fire protection, how long is long enough?

It is important to consider what you want to protect against fire and what risk you run or don't want to run.

The higher the risk, the higher the necessary fire safety

In addition, the location of the safe also has a (major) influence on fire safety. In the basement, the temperature development during a fire is lower than on the top floor of a building. In the basement, there is also no risk of the safe falling down upon collapse. Furthermore, the intensity of a fire is determined by the presence of flammable materials. A monumental farm with a lot of wood and a thatched roof will develop a different kind of fire than a modern building of 'steel and concrete'.

The location can also be decisive; is the arrival time of the fire brigade short or longer? This will be different for urban area vs. country side.

Which fire resistant safe is most suitable for me?

It is important to consider what you want to protect against fire and what risk you run or want to run.

The higher the risk, the higher the necessary fire safety

Category To protect Norm Risk
Paper

Documents

Certificates

Personnel files

Diplomas

EN 1047-1

UL 72 Class 350

JIS (S1037)

NT Fire 017

EN 15659

GB16810-1997

high

high

medium-high

medium-high

medium

low-medium

Data Media 

USB sticks

CDs and DVDs

Backup tapes

Floppy disks

Modern and magnetic information carriers

EN 1047-1

UL 72 Class 125

NT Fire 017

ETL

MTS DIP 120-60DM

high

high

medium-high

low-medium

low-medium

Tip

  • Safes with the best fire protection are certified fire resistant safes according to European Standard EN 1047-1.
  • If you want to store these very valuable, emotional or business criticisms fireproof, then choose an EN 1047-1 certified safe.

2. How big should the safe be? What is the required storage capacity?

The size of the fire-resistant safe must of course depend on what you want to store in it. If you wish to place files in the safe, you must take into account a height (file folder in portrait orientation) or width (file folder in landscape format) of 32 cm and a depth of 29 cm. A safe is a sustainable investment, so make sure you not only fit things in now, but provide extra space for later.

Tip

  • The purchase of a safe is a sustainable investment; never buy a safe too small, but focused on the future.
  • Note the free passage of a safe. Due to the door construction, the free passage can be smaller than the net internal width. As a result, a file, laptop, or other stuff just can't fit!

3. Is a value deposit also required?

A fire resistant document safe is primarily constructed to keep heat from a fire out of the safe and to ensure a low temperature. However, in a number of cases people want to protect against burglary at the same time. Burglary resistant safes are different in construction and filling materials, but a combination of burglary and fire resistant properties is quite possible.

However, a safe that combines fire safety and burglary protection requires a higher investment. For value storage, see also  Selection Help 1. Total value - value storage of a safe .

Basically, you have to assume which burglar-resistant safe supplemented with fire-resistant properties or a fire-resistant safe with burglar-resistant properties.

Products can also be (cleverly) combined, such as placing a fire-resistant box in a fire-resistant safe.

If you need a burglar and fire resistant safe, you can contact us for tailor-made advice.


4. Safe lock type, which one is best?

PS1-2_close_up_7_resizeA wide variety of locks are available for safes. You can choose from key locks, mechanical combination locks, electronic code locks or biometric locks. There are also time locks and safes can be equipped with double locks so that 2 people are needed to open the safe. The various lock options have advantages and disadvantages.

Read our extensive blog article which type of safe lock is best for you, or contact us for personal advice.


5. Budget, amount of your investment

In principle, there is a safe for every budget. In general; the higher the investment; the higher the protection against burglary or fire. Is burglary and fire safety combined in a safe? The required budget will increase, but at the same time you will be better protected.

Budget is an important factor in every situation. However, determine your choice for the right safe based on your requirements and wishes. If this is above your budget, consider a smaller model or switch to a key lock. You maintain a lower investment while maintaining safety.


6. Other important things when choosing a fire safe

Fireproof safes come in many different types and designs. This has to do with the type of items that can be stored in the safe and additional provisions that have been made in the safe.

  • Home safe  - for storing limited amount of paper documents. Pay attention! Not all private safes are fire resistant.
  • Document safe  - for storing paper documents, contracts, files, etc.
  • Data safe  - for storing backup tapes, USB sticks, CDs, DVDs, microfilms, etc.
  • Fire resistant chemical cupboard  - for storing chemicals, hazardous and highly flammable substances
  • Fireproof filing cabinet  - for filing files, documents, etc. Such cabinets are often filled with a fire-retardant material. In practice, these are called fire resistant, but often this is not so, or very limited!

Interior options

There are several options when it comes to the interior of your safe. It is possible to provide a safe with lockable compartments, so that there is only access to documents, not cash. Extendable suspension file frames, extra shelves, or special data inserts for extra fire safety of data media.

Placement and anchoring of fire resistant safes

Take into account the maximum permitted weight on the spot and the weight of the safe you have in mind. If you are not sure whether the floor is strong enough, please contact us.

A fire resistant safe can be installed in different ways. Safes can be placed freestanding, while they can also be attached to floors, walls, or inside a cupboard, under a bed, etc. There are also floor safes, specially designed to be mounted below ground level. All safes up to 1000 kg must be properly anchored. If you want to have a safe installed, go to Placing and Anchoring Safe.


Need personal advice?

Would you like personal advice or speak to one of our specialists? Please contact us for further explanation and advice.

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Buying Guide: Security Safe
Buying Guide: Security Safe

A burglary takes place every 106 seconds in the UK ! Most of us don't expect to fall victim to a burglary. Yet there are 817 domestic burglaries in the UK every day! Do not wait until it is too late, but take timely measures to protect your valuables. Even good insurance is no substitute for your cash, jewellery, sensitive documents, computer media or other valuable assets.

A safe is a worthwhile investment and offers you peace of mind and security

Burglar at the window

Due to increasing supply and demand, the range of safes for private homes has become very affordable. With the growing number of break-ins, a safe is an ideal place to store cash, important documents, such as marriage certificates, passports and credit cards.

But also for every company, a safe remains an indispensable place to safely store cash and crucial business information and to protect it against the burglars' guild.

How do I make the right choice for a safe?

Many different safes are available to protect money and valuables from theft. To further help you make the right choice, there are the following basic questions:

1: What is the total value of cash and valuables in the safe you wish to store?
2: How large should the safe be, or in other words, what is the required storage capacity?
3: Which type of lock do you prefer?
4: What is your budget?
5: Other important things when choosing a safe


1. Total value - storage of a safe

All safes that are resistant to burglary are equipped with an (indication) valuables storage. The value storage indicates how safe a safe is. The higher the value storage, the safer the safe. Please note: valuation is only applicable if the safe is properly anchored in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

How is the value storage measured?

Safe with open doorThe value storage, also known as insured value, is a measure for distinguishing the burglary-resistance of different safes. It also applies if you want to have the contents of the safe insured. The higher the value storage, the higher the resistance to breaking open, and thus the better the safe. If you want to insure the contents of your safe, it is advisable to contact your insurance company and be informed of the requirements and conditions that your insurer provides for cover.

In a safe with a value credit of £10,000, you can store up to £10,000 in cash value . It is therefore not wise to store a cash amount of £50,000 in a safe with a value deposit of £10,000.

Information card for safes Standardization and Coverage advice

As of 1 June 2015, a distinction is also made between value storage for cash and valuables .

If you want to store valuables such as jewellery, a stamp collection, old coins in a safe, the value storage will be doubled. This may partly influence the location of the house or the building, region, the presence of an alarm system, etc.

The valuation is also indicative of the construction of the safe, thickness of the walls and door, complexity and safety of the locking mechanism, lock, additional protections and general build quality. In general, the higher the value storage, the safer the safe.

It is always advisable to contact your insurance company if you want to store specific valuables with high value or a lot of cash.

Security tests & standards

For burglar-resistant safes, a distinction is made between the following security standards:

  • EN 14450 European Standard for private safes Security Level S1 and S2 *
  • EN 1143-1 European Standard for safes Grade 0 to class VI *
  • EN 1143-2 European Standard for Deposit Safes Grade DI to Class DIV *

For more information about standards and burglary resistance go to: What is a security safe .

Table of standards and valuation

Standardization Value Storage - European EN Standards Application
EN 14450 Cash Valuables
Class S1 £ 2,000 £ 20,000 private and small business use
Class S2 £ 4,000 £ 40,000 private and small business use
EN 1143-1 EN 1143-2  
Class 0  - £ 6,000 £ 60,000 private and small business use
Class 1 Class D1 £ 10,000 £ 100,000 private and small business use
Class 2 Class D2 £ 17,500 £ 175,000 Business use
Class 3 Class D3 £ 35,000 £ 350,000 Business use
Class 4 Class D4 £ 60,000 £ 600,000 Business use
Class 5  - £ 100,000 £ 1,000,000 Business use
Class 6  - £ 150,000 £ 1,500,000 Business use
  • For EN 1143-1 and EN 1143-2: 'Class' is also referred to as 'Grade', 'CEN' or 'Eurograde'.
  • For EN 14450: 'Security Level' is also referred to as 'Class'.
  • The NCP and VDMA standard has become obsolete and has been replaced by European Standard EN 14450. However, this indication is still frequently used to indicate the safety of a safe. Please note: these are safes built according to regulations. These have not been tested and are not certified! This designation will fully expire on 1 January 2016.

2. Storage capacity, contents of the safe

The size of the safe must of course depend on what you want to store in it. If you wish to place files in the safe, you must take into account a height (file folder in portrait orientation) or width (file folder in landscape format) of 32 cm and a depth of 29 cm. A safe is a sustainable investment so make sure that not only do things fit in now, but provide extra space for later.

The inside of different safes

Tip

  • The purchase of a safe is a sustainable investment; never buy a safe too small, but focused on the future.
  • Note the free passage of a safe. Due to the door construction, the free passage can be smaller than the net internal width. As a result, a file, laptop, or other stuff just can't fit!

 


3. Safe lock type, which one is best?

Digital key lock on a safe
A wide variety of locks are available for safes. You can choose from key locks, mechanical combination locks, electronic code locks or biometric locks. There are also time locks and safes can be equipped with double locks so that 2 people are needed to open the safe. The various lock options have advantages and disadvantages.

Read our extensive blog article  which type of safe lock  is best for you, or contact us for personal advice.

 


4. Budget, amount of your investment

In principle, there is a safe for every budget. In general; the higher the investment; the better the protection against burglary or fire. Is burglary and fire safety combined in a safe? The required budget will increase, but at the same time you will be better protected.

Budget is an important factor in every situation. However, determine your choice for the right safe based on your requirements and wishes. If this is above your budget, consider a smaller model or switch to a key lock. You maintain a lower investment while maintaining safety.

 


5. Other important matters when choosing a burglar-resistant safe

Type and version; a specific safe for each application

Safes come in many different types and designs. This has to do with the type of items that can be stored in the safe and additional provisions that have been made in the safe.

Interior options

There are several options when it comes to the interior of your safe. It is possible to provide a safe with lockable compartments, so that there is only access to documents, not cash. Extendable suspension file frames, extra shelves, or special data inserts for extra fire safety of data media.

Different drawers for in safes

Placement and anchoring of safes

Safe on a trolleyA safe can be installed in several ways. Safes can be placed freestanding, while they can also be attached to floors, walls, or inside a cupboard, under a bed, etc. There are also floor safes, specially designed to be mounted below ground level. All safes up to 1000 kg must be properly anchored. If you want to have a safe installed, go to Placing and Anchoring Safe.

Take into account the maximum permitted weight on the spot and the weight of the safe you have in mind. If you are not sure whether the floor is strong enough, please contact us.

What is a Security Safe?
What is a Security Safe?

Every safe offers a certain level of burglary resistance, but what really matters is whether the safe offers enough resistance to keep the burglar out for long enough.

1. What is a security safe?

A security safe is a safe that delays against unauthorized access to valuables (contents) in an unmanaged situation.

Burglary threat levels

  • Undefined - we do not know in advance which type of burglar will visit!
  • Depending on the situation - difficult to access or easy (think of burglary detection, basement, stair cupboard, other obstacles)
  • Loot dependent - is there much or little to get?
  • Experience - is the burglar a casual thief or organized criminal?
  • Inside information - does the burglar know which safe and type is present, or does he have no idea?
  • Available tools - light or heavy tools, and many or few tools?

2. How is the burglar resistance of a safe measured?     fire resistance test safe

There is only one way to measure the burglary resistance of a safe ... and that is to attack!

This done by a test institutes that has extensive knowledge, skills and resources. In a laboratory the safes and their constructions are studied, analyzed and attacked.

Test institutes

In Europe there are a number of leading test institutes, these are:

  • VdS, Germany
  • CNPP, France
  • Istituto Giordano, Italy
  • SP, SBSC, SSF, Sweden

The above test institutes have been approved and ECB-S logoaccredited by ESSA to issue ECB.S certificates. The ECB.S certificate is the highest attainable for safes and guarantees independently controlled quality.

In addition, these test institutes have decades of knowledge and expertise for testing safes for burglary resistance. During the testing, the worst case situation is assumed, the so-called 'worst case':

  • Full knowledge
  • Free choice of method & tools
  • Optimal conditions
  • Stops for rest and consultation
Other test institutes are:
  • LPCB, England
  • Czech Tresortest, Czech Republic
  • IMP, Poland

Practice has shown that test institutes that are not ESSA approved have a  higher rating for safes. The testing of security safes is a human intervention (carried out by humans) and can therefore differ per institute. There are examples of safes that are Grade V EN 1143-1 marked and are Grade II certified in an ECB.S accredited institute. See the ECB.S press release January 2010: Black sheep fail the safe test

European standards for safes are performance standards

In contrast to obsolete standards such as NCP and VDMA, the European Standards are performance standards. This means that on the basis of the tools used and the time required, a score is obtained to make an opening 1) . The higher the score, the higher the rating of the safe.

Note

1)  By creating an opening, the European Standard defines a hand hole (125cm 2 , round, square or rectangular) or a manhole (1000 cm 2  round, square or rectangular) or safe door 300 mm open.


3. Standards for security safes

For burglary safes, a distinction is made between the following security standards:

  • EN 14450 European Standard for private safes Security Level S1 and S2  2)
  • EN 1143-1 European Standard for safes Grade 0 to class VI  3, 4)
  • EN 1143-2 European Standard for Deposit Safes Grade DI to Class DIV  3)

Comments

2) For EN 14450: 'Security Level' is also called 'Class'.

3) For EN 1143-1 and EN 1143-2: 'Grade' is also referred to as 'Class', 'CEN' or 'Eurograde'. For EN 1143-1 and EN 1143-2, the Grades are indicated with a Roman sign (I, II, etc.)

4) For EN 1143-1, the classification continues to Grade X. These higher classes are used for safe rooms. Safes go up to Class VII.

The NCP and VDMA standard has become obsolete and has been replaced by European Standard EN 14450. However, this indication is still frequently used to indicate the safety of a safe. This designation will expire completely on 1 January 2016. Please note: this concerns safes built according to regulations (construction characteristics). These have not been tested and are not certified.


4. What about the lock on a safe?

The European Standard for safes also defines how much and to which classification safe locks must comply. Depending on the class of the security safe, 1 or 2 locks are used that must comply with EN 1300 (European Standardization for safe locks).

Standardization Lock required according to  Number
EN 14450 EN 1300
S1 class A. 1
S2 class A. 1
EN 1143-1 & EN 1143-2
Grade 0 class A. 1
Grade I. class A. 1
Grade II class A. 1
Grade III class B 1
Grade IV class B 2
Grade V. class B 2
Grade VI class C. 2

Note

To comply with certification, the manufacturer must install a lock in accordance with the standardization requirement. In practice, you do not have to take into account whether the lock is certified. This is always the case with a European certified safe!


5. Anchoring a security safe

A safe that weighs less than 1000 kg must be anchored to the European Standard for safes for maximum protection. In order to actually obtain insurance coverage, it is often also a requirement of the insurance company.

Incidentally, the European Standards for security safes describe the resistance the anchoring must have. This is also part of the test procedure!

Anchoring methods

Anchoring to a concrete floor or wall ensures the best possible fixation. In such a situation, mechanical anchors are sufficient. In exceptional situations, where the thickness of the floor or wall is limited, or of a lower quality, chemical anchoring can often be a good alternative. Of course, the quality of the confirmation is ultimately determined by the 'weakest' link.

Anchoring yourself? Is easily possible if you have the right tools and knowledge. For (small) home safes, this is even very easy to do yourself. Larger and especially heavier safes are usually installed by a professional installer. This not only ensures correct anchoring, but also ensures safe placement. If you want to have the installation carried out, go to: placing and anchoring the safe .


6. Insured value & value storage

Insured value

Insurers link a present value to the different resistance classes as an indication of coverage.

This is based on a security safe that is located in an uninhabited, unguarded and unsecured building within the built-up area. An insurer may deviate from the coverage indication due to other and additional security measures taken.

It is always advisable to contact your insurance company if you want to store specific valuables with high value or a lot of cash.

Value storage

The tables below are valid for the UK. See also ECB website. Insurance amounts in Europe for other countries in Europe.

Standardization Value storage UK
EN 14450 Cash Valuables
Security Level S1 £2,000 £20,000
Security Level S2 £4,000 £40,000
EN 1143-1 EN 1143-2 
Grade 0  - £6,000 £60,000
Grade I. Class DI £10,000 £100,000
Grade II Class DII £17,500 £175,000
Grade III Class DIII £35,000 £350,000
Grade IV Class DIV £60,000 £600,000
Grade V.  - £100,000 £1,000,000
Grade VI  - £150,000 £1.500,000
Grade VII - in consultation with the insurer

7. How do I recognize a good security safe?

Safe with open doorConstruction features

There are a number of external construction features by which you can recognize a burglar-resistant safe.

  • A security safe has a solid lock with large shots
  • There is a relatively high threshold from the safe door to the frame in which the safe door falls
  • Thick walls and safe door
  • Anchoring holes in the bottom and / or back wall
  • Integrated thief claw on the hinge side of the safe door

Incidentally, there are many (more) invisible features that make a good security safe. We can think of:

  • Special barrier filling
  • Anti-drilling profiles in the safe walls
  • Anti-cutting torch plates
  • Use of special and hard metals such as manganese steel, carbide plates
  • Glass plates that are connected to active emergency shots

Certificate and type plate in the safe

Naturally, a certificate is part of a tested and certified safe. A paper certificate is issued to the manufacturer. With this certificate, the manufacturer is authorized to affix the nameplate in the relevant safe. The manufacturing process is supervised by the certification body and random checks are carried out to ensure the correct manufacturing method. In addition, the manufacturer must comply with the necessary ISO quality procedures.

The safe itself is provided with a label on the inside. This is an (aluminum) nameplate and placed on the back of the safe door. It states whether the safe has been produced and tested under controlled manufacturing according to the specified resistance class.

Class III safe according to EN 1143-1 Class III safe according to EN 1143-1
Class III safe according to EN 1143-1 Class S1 safe according to EN 14450

Find the right security safe

At Simply Safes we offer a wide range of security safes for home and business use:

Need help finding the right safe? Do not hesitate to contact our product experts for advice.

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