If you’ve been shopping around for a new safe, you may have already seen certification icons from organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This could be related to different types of certifications pertaining to burglary or fire protection ratings. But what is the required testing process for safes that receive this stamp of approval from UL? We’re going to share the details of the different testing procedures for each type of UL rated safe.
Overview of Underwriters Laboratories Safe Ratings
Founded in 1894, Underwriters Laboratories consists of third-party testers and is one of the oldest and largest independent testing organizations. Their overall mission is to help foster a safer and more sustainable world across a plethora of industries. Particularly, the safe ratings they provide are often a requirement for insurance companies, so no matter if you’re shopping for a residential safe for your home or a commercial safe for your business, this is an important component to consider.
You’ve likely seen the UL logo on many products. As a leader in safety science, UL sets the standard for testing and certification, ensuring quality, peace of mind, and customer satisfaction.
For safes, UL is one of the most reliable certification organizations to put your trust in for your upcoming purchase. Seeing their logo on a product confirms that you’re making a smart investment. Testers from Underwriters Laboratories often visit American Security’s facilities to conduct inspections on our safes to ensure that they meet their standards, giving our customers peace of mind that they’re investing in a quality product.
UL Fire Testing Process
One factor to consider when purchasing your next safe is its fire protection. Consider what you plan on storing — documents, firearms, jewelry, etc. — and that will help you determine what fire rating you should choose. In addition, if you live in a climate where wildfires are common, it may be worthwhile to bump up the fire rating to be on the safe side.
UL’s testing process evaluates a safe’s ability to withstand various levels of heat and flame exposure over a specified period. Typically, safe fire ratings are categorized based on the duration they can resist fire, such as 30, 60, or even up to 120 minutes. These ratings provide a clear indication of how well a safe can protect its contents in the event of a fire. Look for this certification logo when searching for the right fire-rated safe:
Step 1: Preparation
Safes are equipped with temperature probes at various internal locations to monitor and record the interior heat levels during testing. These probes are specifically placed in the top, middle, and bottom areas of the safe. In most cases, there are numerous probes placed in each section since the heat tends to damage/deteriorate at least one of the probes.
Step 2: Set Target Temperature & Insert Safe Into Furnace
UL’s fire test reaches a target temperature of 1,800°F within the first six minutes for both 1-hour and 2-hour tests, replicating intense fire conditions by applying actual flames to the outside of the safe.
Step 3: Passing the Test
To pass UL’s fire test, the safe’s interior temperature must remain below 350°F, as this is the threshold to keep paper and other sensitive contents from charring. From being inserted into the furnace to the safe getting taken out to cool, the temperature has to remain below 350°F.
To help American Security safes pass these fire tests, we construct our products with a variety of materials. One of these materials is a proprietary fire clay insulation. This clay absorbs external heat and gradually releases steam, which keeps the interior cooler as a result. Constructing safes with this fire clay makes them denser and boosts the fire protection level.
Step 4: Additional Impact Test
For the 1-hour and 2-hour UL fire ratings, safes will also undergo an impact test immediately after heat exposure. This involves dropping the safe from 2 stories (about 20 feet) onto a pile of bricks. The impact test setup is meant to simulate the safe collapsing through a floor during a fire.
Step 5: Final Inspection
Once the safe cools, it’s opened for the technicians to assess for any damage that may have occurred during the testing process. If the safe never exceeded 350°F and the items inside are not affected in any way by the heat and impact tests, the safe has successfully passed the test. The rigorous nature of this testing makes sure that only the most reliable safes earn the UL certification, giving consumers peace of mind that their important items are safeguarded against potential disasters.
UL Burglary Testing Process
UL’s burglary testing is a little more complex than the fire tests, but it helps give customers even more assurance that they’re investing in a quality safe.
The results from UL impact testing are invaluable for manufacturers and consumers alike. For the American Security team, these assessments help in refining designs and materials to enhance safety features, while for consumers, it provides a level of comfort in knowing that their investment has undergone thorough examination. The data collected from these tests can also guide buyers in selecting the right safe for their specific needs, whether for home use or commercial applications, helping them choose a product that not only meets their personal needs but also the requirements of insurance companies.
UL classifies its burglary safe ratings into a few different categories. Different tests are conducted for each of these categories. Every single test is only running a timer when the tester is physically touching the safe with a tool. This means the timer can be stopped if the tester needs to switch between different tools. As a result, a 5-minute test can quickly increase to 10 minutes or longer.
The testers also have access to the safe, including the drawings and engineering specifications, and gain a full understanding of the construction of the safe prior to their attempt to break into it. They’ll also have around 20 minutes to come up with their game plan for how they’re going to attempt to access the inside of the safe. Keep in mind that a regular burglar won’t have this prior information in a real-world scenario, which goes to show the high standards UL rated safes are held to. Let’s dig into each of these burglary ratings and their testing processes.
RSC Level I
A Residential Security Container (RSC) Level I safe involves one tester and gives them 5 minutes to break into the safe. If the tester either bypasses the locking mechanism of the container or makes a hand hole size opening that is 4 inches in diameter or larger, the safe fails this test. The tools that are allowed to be used include:
- Hammers (that do not exceed 3 pounds)
- Chisels
- Pry Bars
- Punches
- Screwdrivers
- Wrenches (that do not exceed 18″ in length)
- Variable Speed Electric Drill
- High-Speed and Carbide Tipped Drill Bits (that do not exceed 1/4 inch diameter)
RSC Level II
RSC Level II safes are similar, except the test allows 2 testers and gives them 10 minutes to break into the safe. If the testers bypass the locking mechanism or make an opening that is 6 square inches or larger, the safe fails this test. The tools that are allowed to be used include:
- Chisels
- Punches
- Screws Drivers
- Hammers (that do not exceed 8 pounds)
- Pry Bars (that do not exceed 5 feet in length)
- Picking Tools
- Portable Mechanical and Electric Tools (including 1/2″ drills)
- Grinding Points
- High-Speed and Carbide Drills (that do not exceed 1/2 inch diameter)
- Pressure-Applying Devices or Mechanisms
TL-15
The entire Tool Latency (TL) category holds a much higher security standard for safes. All TL tests involve 2 people attempting to break into the container. For TL-15, the time limit for breaking into the body of the safe is 5 minutes, and the full TL-30 tool set is permitted for the body test. It is a test to meet or exceed the time and effort required to gain entry into 1” thick steel. And for the door, the test is 15 minutes. Similar to the RSC ratings, the timer runs only while tools are attacking the safe. If the tester defeats the locking mechanism or achieves a 6-square-inch opening to any area of the safe, the product fails this test. Tools that can be used for this include:
- Chisels
- Punches
- Screws Drivers
- Hammers (that do not exceed 8 pounds)
- Pry Bars (that do not exceed 5 feet in length)
- Picking Tools
- Portable Mechanical and Electric Tools (including 1/2″ drills)
- Grinding Points
- High-Speed and Carbide Drills (that do not exceed 1/2 inch diameter)
- Pressure-Applying Devices or Mechanisms
TL-30
The TL-30 testing process is similar to the TL-15 in that it involves 2 testers attempting to open the safe door or achieve a 6-square-inch opening, except they have 30 minutes to open the door and 5 minutes to break into the body. The tools that are allowed for this include:
- All of the TL-15 tools mentioned above
- Abrasive Cutting Wheels
- Power Saws (including hole saws and circular saws)
TL-30×6
The TL-30×6 tests are the same as the TL-30 tests except the 2 testers are allowed to attack all sides of the safe including the door for a full 30 minutes. The tools that are allowed for this are the same list as the TL-30 test.
American Security provides a wide range of safes across various UL rating levels, made possible by our unique approach to construction. By blending steel and various fill materials, our safes create multiple barriers, forcing testers to switch tools repeatedly to attempt entry. This approach gives you as the customer a huge advantage: a burglar, unfamiliar with the specific design of your American Security safe, is unlikely to have the extensive toolkit needed to bypass each protective layer.
Determining the Right UL Rated Safe for You
Selecting the appropriate safe depends on your individual needs and the types of valuables you want to protect. Initially, consider what you will store inside the safe. For instance, important documents, jewelry, firearms, or cash may each require different levels of protection. Documents, such as birth certificates and property deeds, often necessitate a fire rating of at least one hour to ensure they remain intact in the event of high temperatures. A conversation with your insurance provider is recommended. Storing valuables in a UL listed safe may allow a lower insurance cost or higher coverage.
Next, consider the risks associated with your location. If you live in an area susceptible to theft or natural disasters like fires or floods, investing in a higher-rated safe might be crucial. We understand you can’t predict unexpected disasters or break-ins, so use your best judgment to decide which rating would make the most sense for your investment.
UL rated safes can vary significantly in price, and while it’s often tempting to opt for a less expensive option, remember that a safe is an investment in your peace of mind. Prioritizing quality can save you from potential loss in the long run. When budgeting, also consider the features that may enhance your safe’s functionality like shelving, the type of lock, etc.
Choose Your Next UL Rated Safe
Feel free to consult industry experts (like us) or local retailers who are knowledgeable in UL safe ratings. Many retailers offer demonstrations of their products, allowing you to physically interact with different safes and assess their build quality and functionality firsthand. Armed with the knowledge about UL ratings, combined with your personal needs assessment, you can confidently choose a safe that bolsters the protection of your valuables.
Explore American Security’s large selection of UL rated safes and uncover the right model that fits your security needs and lifestyle.