How to Choose a Security Safe

We all need to protect our valuable belongings, personal papers, jewelry, irreplaceable pieces we own, etc. against any type of threat, mainly robbery or fire. An efficient security safe should be bought once and for all. Therefore, the safe’s quality matters. It is advised to purchase one that is certified by EN or VDS. While the European Norm EN1143-1 guarantees that the safe you are buying is built in the best professional manner, other criteria are not to be ignored.

Contact a security expert at Zod Security for advice on the type of safe you need.

Each safe is rated and handed a grade, which provides an accurate ranking for its level of security. The more the items to be protected are valuable, the higher the grade you should seek. Keep in mind that the insurance amount is dependent on the safe’s grade. For instance, if the safe is capable to withstand an explosion, the insurance value increases.

The testing conducted to obtain a certificate consists of the use of a combination of commonly used theft tools. For a safe to be approved, it must resist a number of different burglary attempts. The defiance is measured in resistance units, RU, a score calculated using two parameters: time and type of tool. The aim of each test is to determine how long it takes to get into the safe, without taking into account noise or smoke build-up.

When the safe has passed the tests, it receives its burglary class certification. Available rates range from Grade 0, upwards. The certificate for the different classes is achieved within the norms listed below.

It is important that all safes weighing less than 1000 kg be fixed to the wall or the floor.

Each certified safe is insured up to a certain amount of money. The table below shows vis-à-vis the enumerated levels, the values insured in Euros: EN 1143-1

BEWARE Fire safes and Strong safes do not cover the same goals, and cannot substitute one another.

Fire safes are created to resist heat, fire and drop between floors. While they might appear to be identical, Fire safes cannot withstand burglary attacks, given that they are built with 1mm steel filled with fire-resistant material. Thus, to understand what type of safe you are buying, read the label usually located on the inside back of the safe door. The level of security of the safe, provided through its certification can help end-users evaluate safes from different suppliers, and compare apple-to-apple. The fireproof norms differ from those of a burglary-proof safe. Be careful to read the sticker affixed to the inside of the door (certificate), and verify that the accreditation is supplied from a credible institution.

Under no circumstances should the user singularly trust the statements or copies provided by a seller. This said, the user should not forget to evaluate the dimension and the quality of the after-sales service before taking his final decision, to ensure proper maintenance. In addition, the buyer should verify that the company he is dealing with is part of the Syndicate of Security and Safety Professionals for a minimum guarantee in professionalism.

You can reach Zod Security on 961 4 543 666 or marketing@zod.com.lb for more details.