When it comes to protecting your most valuable possessions, selecting the right safe is crucial. Depending on what your needs are, you’ll want to prioritize a safe’s rating for security, fire resistance, and more. These ratings certify the level of burglary protection or fire and water resistance a safe offers. Let’s delve into why understanding and prioritizing safe ratings is essential when choosing a safe, and how these ratings can guide you to the best decision for your security needs.
Overview of Safe Ratings
Safe ratings are critical in determining the level of protection a safe offers. These ratings are certifications provided by independent, reputable organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Intertek’s ETL. They assess a safe’s ability to withstand fire, resist burglary, and, in some cases, protect against water damage. The purpose of these ratings is to give consumers confidence that their chosen safe will withstand threats as expected during emergencies.
Other types of factory testing besides UL and ETL could result in unreliable data since there isn’t a clear methodology or process that backs the results. If you stick to the two industry leaders, you’re sure to find accurate ratings for safes.
Importance of Safe Ratings in Decision-Making
When purchasing a safe, considering these ratings should be a top priority. Safe ratings ensure that you’re not just buying a box with a lock but investing in reliable protection for your valuables. Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware of the significance of these ratings or may hold misconceptions, such as believing that all safes are inherently fireproof or burglar-resistant. Understanding the truth about safe ratings can prevent costly mistakes and ensure that your valuables are truly protected.
Who Certifies Safes?
Two industry-standard organizations provide reliable safe certifications and that is Underwriters Laboratories and ETL-Intertek. If you want to invest in a high-quality safe, you definitely get what you pay for when you purchase a safe with certifications from either of these companies.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
UL is one of the most recognized names in safe certifications. They provide rigorous testing for a variety of safe ratings, including fire resistance and burglary protection. When you see a UL rating on a safe, you can trust that it has been thoroughly tested to meet high standards.
UL ratings are broken down into different categories, each specifying the type and level of protection the safe provides. For instance, a UL Class 350 1-hour rating means that the interior of the safe will not exceed 350°F for at least one hour when exposed to external temperatures of up to 1,700°F.
ETL (Intertek)
Similar to UL, ETL conducts comprehensive testing on safes to verify their fire resistance, water resistance, and more. The ETL mark assures consumers that the safe meets or exceeds industry standards for safety and performance.
When you’re searching for a waterproof safe, for instance, the water-resistant ETL mark is the closest you’ll get to waterproof with a high level of protection that signifies that a safe can withstand water exposure for a specified period without compromising its contents.
Other Third-Party Safe Testing
While UL and ETL are the most common certifiers, other legitimate organizations also provide safe certifications. It’s important to ensure that any safe you purchase is certified by a reputable third-party organization. Third-party testing is crucial because it provides an unbiased assessment of the safe’s capabilities, giving you peace of mind that the safe will perform as advertised.
Types of Safe Ratings
There are a few different types of safe certifications and depending on what your needs are you may prioritize one more than another. Let’s dig deeper into these different industry-standard ratings that will help you pick a reliable safe.
Fire Resistant Safes
One of the most common concerns for safe buyers is fire protection. Fire-resistant safes are rated based on the amount of time they can withstand high temperatures without the interior reaching a critical point that could damage the contents. For example, in order to get a UL fire rating certification, a safe will have to maintain an interior temperature of less than 350°F when exposed to fire for one hour at 1700°F or a period of two hours at 1850°F.
The testing process for fire-resistant safes involves exposing the safe to extreme heat in a controlled environment and then measuring the interior temperature with sensors. The safe must maintain a temperature below a certain threshold to earn its rating. When selecting a safe, consider what you’re storing — some items may need a higher fire rating than others. For instance, digital media like CDs and USB drives require lower internal temperatures to avoid damage compared to paper documents.
Burglary Resistant Safes
Burglary resistance is another important factor to consider for safe ratings. These certifications, such as the UL TL-15 or TL-30, indicate how long a safe can withstand an attempted break-in using various tools. The higher the rating, the more secure the safe is against burglary attempts.
According to the Zebra, Every 15 seconds a home burglary occurs in the United States. This means that approximately 4,800 burglaries happen every day. So, it’s important to invest in a safe that holds an industry-certified reputation against these threats.
The process of determining burglary resistance involves subjecting the safe to attacks with different tools, such as drills, saws, and torches. A safe with a TL-15 rating, for example, is certified to resist a skilled burglar using common tools for at least 15 minutes. Higher-rated safes, like TL-30, offer even longer protection. If you’re storing high-value items such as jewelry or cash, purchasing a safe with a higher burglary resistance rating would be a smart investment.
Waterproof Safes
Flooding during natural disasters, or burst pipes in your home could be potential threats to your valuables. In this case, a water-resistant safe can deter moisture from damaging cherished items. However, there isn’t such a thing as a completely “waterproof” safe, there are only water-resistant options. You must be cautious when shopping around for safes since many options claim they’re “waterproof” but don’t hold any substantial certification to support that claim.
ETL-Intertek offers a water protection rating to certify safes that can endure water exposure under specific conditions. This rating is awarded to safes that have been tested to withstand complete submersion or prolonged exposure to water at a specified depth for a designated period. A safe with an ETL water resistance rating assures you that your valuables will have a high level of protection in the event of flooding or other water-related incidents. Still, keep in mind that there is not an option in the market currently that offers a completely waterproof option.
The Risks of Ignoring Safe Ratings
You shouldn’t ignore the different levels of safe ratings, rather prioritize the ones that apply most to your circumstances and needs. Not paying close attention to safe certifications could potentially result in rolling the dice with your investment.
False Sense of Security
Purchasing a safe without considering its ratings can lead to a dangerous false sense of security. Unverified safes may fail when exposed to fire, attempted burglary, or even water damage, leaving your valuables at risk.
Never assume a safe is certified when it’s labeled as “fireproof” or “waterproof”. Without the stamp of approval from reputable testing facilities, those words mean nothing and could mislead you into purchasing a safe that doesn’t provide the level of protection you’re looking for. Always look for the labels that we’ve shown above to confirm the quality of a safe.
Legal and Insurance Implications
Beyond the risk to your valuables, using an uncertified safe can have legal and insurance implications. Many insurance companies require proof that a safe meets certain ratings before they cover the contents. If you’re storing sensitive items like firearms or legal documents, the lack of certification could also have legal consequences.
This is also a key component to consider if you’re a business owner purchasing a safe for commercial purposes. Similar to personal insurance policies, commercial insurance policies may also mandate the use of certified safes for coverage of valuable assets or sensitive information. Additionally, using an uncertified safe could lead to higher premiums, reduced coverage, or potential legal issues if a loss occurs.
Long-term Cost Implications
While certified safes may cost more upfront, they offer long-term savings by providing reliable protection. The cost of losing valuable or irreplaceable items far outweighs the initial investment in a certified safe. Over time, a certified safe can save you money, stress, and heartache. It’s important to compare the initial cost to the long-term benefits that can come with your safe investment.
Matching the Right Safe to Your Needs
Purchasing a safe with the highest level of security or fire protection doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for your needs. The first step you need to take is to evaluate the main purpose you intend to use your safe and that should give you an accurate answer as to what level of protection you require.
Assessing What You Need to Protect
Before purchasing a safe, take stock of what you need to protect. Consider the types of valuables, the level of risk in your area, and the specific threats (fire, burglary, water) you’re most concerned about. This assessment will guide you in selecting a safe with the appropriate ratings.
Matching Safe Ratings to Your Requirements
Once you know what you’re protecting, match the safe’s ratings to your specific needs. For example, if you’re storing important documents in an area prone to fires, prioritize a fire-resistant safe with a high rating. If water damage is a concern, look for a water-resistant safe with an ETL water protection certification.
American Security provides flexibility — allowing customers to customize their safes to adapt to their needs. Whether you’re looking for a cosmetic change for aesthetic purposes or upgrading security features, we can tailor our products to check off a majority of your “must-haves”.
Future-Proofing Your Investment
Finally, consider future-proofing your investment by choosing a safe that not only meets your current needs but also anticipates future requirements. This might mean selecting a safe with higher ratings than you currently need or choosing a larger safe that can accommodate additional valuables over time.
The Importance of Safe Ratings
Safe ratings are important factors to consider when shopping for your next safe. They provide a verified standard of safety against fire, water, and burglary threats, offering peace of mind that your possessions are secure. Without the stamp of approval from reputable sources, the level of protection for your assets is not ensured and may not meet your expectations.
Alternatively, if you’re in the market for an aesthetically pleasing safe or a locked container that primarily just keeps certain items away from children, safe ratings may not be a top priority for you. Consider the main reason you’re purchasing a safe and that will determine what your focus should be when deciding between the various available options.
If you’re concerned about investing in a safe that protects against unforeseen burglary attempts or fires, third-party tested safe ratings are the best way to make sure you’re getting the best of the best. By choosing a certified safe, you’re investing in reliable protection that can withstand the unexpected. Explore our range of safes and filter between the ratings you’re prioritizing to find the perfect match for your security needs.