What To Consider Before Purchasing a Safe

Safes can play an important role in both commercial and residential security. When you need extra protection for your valuables and assets, purchasing a safe to put them in is a logical step to take.

The decision about which safe to purchase shouldn’t be taken lightly.  That’s why we’ve put together this list to help you: 3 things you should consider before purchasing a safe: burglary rating, fire safety rating, and lock safety. Understanding these features will help you select the safe you need.

3 Things To Consider Before Purchasing a Safe:

While there are a lot of details to count in before purchasing a safe, we will talk about three main ones:

1. Burglary Ratings
2. Fire Safety Ratings
3. Lock Safety

So buckle up and start reading:

Burglary Ratings

When you buy a safe, you need to know that it’s tamper-proof and will pose strong challenges to any burglar attempting to break into it and steal its contents. That’s where a burglary rating comes in. There are a set of industry ratings you can refer to when determining whether the safe you’re considering will stand up to potential thieves. 

These ratings are predicated on the assumption that the greater the value of the safe contents, the greater precautions you’ll take to protect them. As such, a B-rated safe (on the lower end of the safety spectrum) without a burglar alarm, will protect up to $5000 dollars worth of valuables. Moving to the highest end of the spectrum, an Underwriter’s Laboratory rating of TRTL-30X6, accompanied by a burglar alarm, is rated to protect up to $1,000,000 in valuables.

Naturally, there is a whole range of ratings between these two, and thinking about the value of your safe content will help you select a safe with the appropriate burglary rating.

Fire Safety Ratings

You’ll also want to think about what will happen to your safe in the event of a fire. A fire safety rating will help you to determine just that. After all, a safe that’s built to keep out burglars may not also be built to withstand flames. 

There is a system for rating safes according to their ability to protect from fire damage. In order to get that rating, a safe is tested for endurance, impact, and resistance to an explosion. They also test how long a safe can last among the flames. You can read more about Underwriter Laboratories’ official rating system here.

Lock Safety

Finally, the last major thing to consider when purchasing a safe is the safe’s lock itself. There are many options, but mostly it boils down to choosing between a digital or mechanical lock. Both have pros and cons. For example, digital locks offer higher-tech features that can stump a burglar, and they’re also less likely to jam and rust. However, a mechanical lock will always be accessible, even in the event of a power outage. A popular option for commercial clients is the redundant lock: a lock that combines electronic and mechanical lock components into one. 

Safe Installation in Seattle

If you’re in the Seattle area and are looking for someone to install a safe at your home or commercial space, give Capital Locksmith a call. We can advise you on which safe to purchase and can install it for you. Additionally, if you’ve locked yourself out of your safe, we may be able to help you get back in. Contact us at any time.