How are safes Rated?

The rating systems for safes are defined by construction or performance. Generally, a construction rated safe is lower priced since its model has not been subjected to an independent lab for testing. Performance ratings are generally ranked by amount of time your valuables are safe when under attack by either fire or burglary….

Construction Ratings

  • B Steel, doors less than 1 inch thick, walls less than 1/2 inch thick
  • C Steel, doors at least 1 inch thick, walls at least 1/2 inch thick
  • E Steel, doors at least 1 1/2 inches thick, walls at least 1inch thick
  • ER Safe or chest labeled with: “UL Inspected Tool Resisting Safe TL 15 Burglary”
  • F Safe or chest labeled with:”UL Inspected”
  • Tool Resisting Safe TL 30 Burglary”or “UL Inspected Torch Resisting Safe TR 30 Burglary” or “UL Inspected Explosive Resistant Safe with Relocking Device X 60 Burglary”
  • G Safe or chest labeled with: “UL Inspected Torch and Explosive Resisting Safe TX 60 Burglary” or “UL Inspected Torch Resisting Safe TR 60 Burglary” or “UL Inspected Torch and Tool Resisting Safe TRTL 30 Burglary”

Performance Ratings – Burglary Classifications

  • TL – 15 Successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 15 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills or pressure devices.
  • TL – 30 Successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 30 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills or pressure devices.
  • TRTL – 30 Successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 30 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills, pressure devices and oxy-fuel gas cutting or welding torches.
  • TRTL – 60 Successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 60 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills, pressure devices and oxy-fuel gas cutting or welding torches.
  • TXTL – 60 Successfully resist entry for a net assault time of 60 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinders, drills, pressure devices, explosives and oxy-fuel gas cutting or welding torches.

Performance Ratings – Fire Classifications

  • Fire: Underwriter’s Laboratories Fire Resistive Classification
  • Cladding – Cladding is an outer casing (usually thin steel), filled with a materiel that can be poured (usually a concrete security mixture). Cladding is helpful in adding fire protection and sometimes an additional security layer (primarily for a weight factor) to an existing safe.
  • UL Labels – If a safe or chest bears the “Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.” , then is model has been fully tested by this highly respected independent laboratory. On the UL label will be a complete performance coding. If your safe has an UL label, make sure to have the sales staff explain the complete label codes to you.
  • 1 Hour Maintain an interior temperature of less than 150 degrees F and an interior humidity less than 85% when exposed to fire (up to 2000 F) for 1 hour.
  • 2 Hour Maintain an interior temperature of less than 150 degrees F and an interior humidity less than 85% when exposed to fire (up to 2000 F) for 2 hours.
  • 3 Hour Maintain an interior temperature of less than 150 degrees F and an interior humidity less than 85% when exposed to fire (up to 2000 F) for 3 hours.
  • 4 Hour Maintain an interior temperature of less than 150 degrees F and an interior humidity less than 85% when exposed to fire (up to 2000 F) for 4 hours.

Questions regarding our safes or installation services? Give us a call at 561-795-6251 today to get started protecting your valuables with the security of a safe or vault!