Choosing The Right Safe
There are many things to consider when choosing a safe. Choosing the right safe is essential to keep your cash, valuables, documents and etc. We know safes inside and out, so here’s a guide on choosing the right safe for your home, office or business.
Euro Graded Safes
The Euro Grade system is a European wide security numbering system that is applied to a number of high-security safes that are specifically designed as a reliable solution for homeowners and commercial businesses to safely store cash and valuables. The 0 to 6 Eurograde rating system is applied to safes that are designed to be theft and burglary resistant. All Eurograde safes must undergo an extensive series of testing before being certified that they can be granted EN1143 status.
|
Grade |
Cash Rating |
Valuable Rating |
|
0 |
£6,000 |
£60,000 |
|
I |
£10,000 |
£100,000 |
|
II |
£17,500 |
£175,000 |
|
III |
£35,000 |
£350,000 |
|
IV |
£60,000 |
£600,000 |
|
V |
£100,000 |
£1,000,000 |
|
VI |
£150,000 |
£1,500,000 |
Cash Rating
The cash rating of a safe is simply the amount of cash an insurance company will cover you to hold in your safe.
Valuable Rating
The rating for other valuables like jewellery is always 10 times the cash rating. Always check with your insurance company how much cover they need you to have.
Protection
Is important to understand that even the strongest safe can be broken into by a burglar given time. The stronger the safe the more time and the higher specialised tool the burglar need to break into the safe. These factors are the burglar’s worst enemy because it exposes them and increases their risk of being caught.
The safe you are purchasing should have the appropriate protection for the content being stored. Which brings you this question, what is being stored inside? (e.g. cash, jewellery, documents, electronic, medical supplies, gun. etc.)
Fire Protection
When storing important paper documents wills, passport, insurance documents, land titles etc. make sure the safe offer the correct level of protection. Most modern safes have a 30 – 120 minute fire protection for paper. Fire protection will keep your valuable documents safe from harm in the event of a fire, and can withstand intense heat until the fire is put out.
24-Hours Depository
If you are operating a business that requires cash or valuables to be deposited quickly safe and discreetly. You may consider a safe with deposit trap drawer
Size
Bigger does not necessarily mean better security. Size may not matter in some instances, but when it comes to choosing a safe it’s essential. Factors to consider when buying a safe can include:
External size
Like any furniture please measure the space where you would like position your safe, to make sure your safe is able to fit in that desired position. Ensure you have space so that the safe door will open easily. For safe placement in cabinet, check hinges and lock depth to see if the safe position and operation will be affected.
Internal size
What do you need to store inside your safe? Will it fit? The internal size will vary for different type of safe. Usually the more secure, graded, heavy, and thicker the wall of the safe, the less space it will have inside. Many safes are designed to store specific items such as laptops, files or other items. Before purchasing, always check if you can fit your valuables inside!
Weight
The heavier the safe, the more secure. But the heavier the safe, the less likely it will be able to be positioned on an upper floor as building structure may not be able take the weight. Heavy safes are better suited to ground floors and also will ensure you don’t have a higher handling cost to move your safe on an upper floor. If you need assistances please contact us, our customer service are able
Installation
It’s important to remember that all safes need to be installed and fitted professionally to meet with insurance companies’ approval. Many modern safes are very light which is a benefit for fitting to upper floors, but also means they are easier to carry away. Secure fitting and installation is a determining factor when it comes to a claim.
Consideration before bolting?
- What type of surface will the safe be sitting on? (eg. Concrete, wood?)
- Any cabling or piping under desire bolting location?
- Surface of installation maybe damaged.
Lock Option
Safe locks can be the most expensive part of a safe, considering that safe lock are the only thing keeps a burglar from accessing your valuables, you can understand why. There are three main lock options to consider when choosing a safe.
Below is a guide to help choose your locks:
|
Key Lock |
Combination Lock |
Digital Lock |
|
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