Most Common Q & As about Safes

Should I install a safe without professional help?

In general, if you have the help of an able-bodied assistant, you may be able to install a safe that weighs a couple of hundred pounds or less. However, the real issue here is that most people have problems moving heavy and bulky objects; thus, injury or property damage become inevitable. To avoid this, it is often recommended to hire professionals to do all hard work for you, from delivery to installation.

What kind of safe lock should I choose: a mechanical or an electronic one?
It’s hard to say which lock is better because both are suitable for different situations. For instance, an electronic lock is a more secure option, and as such, has a higher security rating than many of the mechanical locks available on the market today. On the other hand, the mechanical lock is very easy to use. Speed of use also matters: it takes the average electronic lock user only 6 seconds to open their safe, while it takes the average mechanical lock user 30 seconds to open their safe. That’s a big difference! If you’re dealing with a gun safe, this difference is even more pronounced in the event of an emergency. In this case, speed can mean the difference between life and death.

Another important factor to consider is the user’s ability to change lock codes themselves. An electronic lock allows for user-generated custom lock combinations, while a mechanical dial lock requires lock combinations to be set by a locksmith or safe technician. This can be a big inconvenience for some people.

If you value reliability over all else, high-quality electronic safes are extremely reliable and rarely fail. Mechanical safes have stood the test of time and have been around for over 100 years. Although extremely durable and convenient, electronic locks will never outlast a mechanical lock. However, as long as the safe owner takes proper care of his/her safe, almost all issues with both a mechanical or electronic lock can be fixed before they become serious problems.

Is there a difference between a fire safe and a burglary safe?
Yes. There are two different types of burglary safes available: plate and composite. A plate safe is made of thick steel plates, which will resist both small, and large, hand tools, and even some power tools. A composite burglary safe is made using plates that are not as heavy as those used in a plate safe, and is contains a composite filling, comprised of mixture of concrete with other additives, to make it even tougher. A composite burglary safe provides not only excellent resistance under a physical attack, but powerful fire protection, as well.

Fire safes were created to protect against fire only, and offers little or no resistance against a forced physical attack. What this means is that, with some small tools and skills, a fire safe can be forced to open within a few minutes. A fire safe is constructed using fire insulation and sheet metal, which is just a thin sheet form of steel that is commonly used to make up the doors and walls of the safe, and it flexes quite easily. The walls and door of a fire safe are then filled with fire insulation that is relatively soft.

What is the weight limit for a safe installed in a house?
If it’s a wooden structure house, with no additional supports or reinforcements, the installation of a safe on the first or second floor, weighing no more than 600 lbs, is recommended. Things are simpler with a basement safe installation because there are no weight restrictions, as the safe will be installed onto a concrete floor. It is never recommended to install a heavy safe onto a second floor. Think about this: when a bathtub, or hot tub, is installed onto the second floor of a house, contractors always provide extra structural reinforcement to support the weight of the new tub, water and person in it. Why take a risk installing a safe that is too heavy for the structure of your home to support?

Is it necessary to bolt my safe down?
The answer is yes, unless your safe is too heavy and it can’t be carried out of your house. UL (Underwriters Laboratories – http://www.ul.com), the testing agency that certifies safes for their security level, states that for specific burglary ratings, any safe less than 750 lbs. MUST be secured and bolted down to achieve the security rating of the container. There are many stories about people with home safes that didn’t bother to bolt them down, only to find out that thieves carried them out on foot, and into waiting vehicles. It is strongly recommended that all safe owners bolt their safes down for extra security.

What if I lost my combination and want to open my safe without damaging it?
A safe service company can open most safes if you forgot the combination, and more often than not, they can do it without using any tools. Even when they have to use a drill in order to open your safe, they normally drill a tiny hole (a little larger than a spaghetti noodle) to view the internal lock mechanism. At that point it’s easy for them to open a safe and fix that hole. Keep in mind that some safe service companies are more skilled than others. This is important because some companies may tell you the safe has to be destroyed in order to be opened or they have to drill a large hole that will be difficult to repair so you need to buy a new safe. Call around and get a proper evaluation and estimate.

What company makes the best safes?
There is no such thing as the “best” safe brand. However, there are manufactures that make reliable, durable, and high-quality safes. In order to find a safe with a specific level of protection, take a look at UL and ECBS ratings. These rating are good guidelines to follow when comparing safes.

When do I need a TL-rated burglary safe?
First, you need to understand what a TL-rated burglary safe actually means. To put it simple, it’s a safe that has been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories to protect against an attack using a specified set of tools in a given period of time. The attack here means forcing open, or cutting a big hole, to remove the contents of the safe. TL-rated safes come in several different ratings: TL-15, TL-30, TL15x6, TRTL15x6, TL30x6, and TRTL30x6. TL-rated safes are designed to protect valuables upwards of $30,000. So if the contents of your safe are worth more than this amount, or have significant sentimental or personal value, you may consider buying a TL-rated safe, which offers an extra level of protection for your belongings.

Does a drop safe provide an adequate protection of cash?
Drop safes are not meant for long term storage of cash. They are designed for temporary, daily storage of cash, and they should be emptied nightly. Following removal, the money should be stored in a more secure safe.

If I purchase a safe with an electronic lock, and burglars come and destroy my keypad, or replace it with a different one, can I still open my safe?
Damaging a keypad is equal to damaging a dial on a safe that has a mechanical lock. After this happens, a safe cannot be opened. Changing the keypad of a safe does not allow the lock on the inside of the safe to be unlocked. This is because the keypad on a safe is just an input device. It does not contain the combination to the lock, which is stored in the lock body located inside the safe. As always, call a safe lock professional for complex safe matters.