Gun Safe Disection:
I have many customers wanting me to tell them “Which is the best gun safe”.
Well, that is a tough question. Because most manufacturers produce several gun safe lines. A good, a better, and
a best series. Some manufactures make all three series very good quality. Some will often produce a VERY low end
model and sell it to a big box retailer. All from the same company. So you see it is difficult to say that ALL the gun safes that come from XYZ manufacturer are the best. When only their top series is great and the rest are overpriced metal boxes.So I would like to break down the components of a gun safe into several sections. Quality of steel, fireproofing, lock, relocker and hardplate, and warranty.
Gun Safe manufacturing:
I’m not going to beat around the bush on this one. China is the country of choice. Even the models that say “Made in the USA” are made in China. The box and bolts are made in China and shipped to California where they put on the lock and a liner and call it “Made in the USA”. Cannon, American Security, Browning, Liberty, and others are all made in some form in China. Though they may make a very high end model here in the USA. You will be paying $4,000 and up for these units. The strange thing too is that no other country really makes gun safes. Just China. Don’t be heart broken its a fact of life in the USA.
Gun Safe steel comes in several thicknesses. Often refered to as gauge. Steel gauge is thicker the smaller the number. So a 10 gauge is thicker than a 12 gauge. Sounds odd but that is how its measured. There is also a term know as “B-Rated” which means they use 1/2 inch plate steel on door and 1/4 inch plate steel on body. This is much thicker than a 10 gauge steel. A 10 gauge thickness is just under 1/8 inch. I prefer the 10 gauge steel models. Though there are some very good 12 gauge models available. Anything thiner than a 12 gauge I stay away from. Because the wall of the safe becomes flexible at this point. Too flexible for me. I have crow barred models that you can get at big box retailers that don’t tell you the gauge of steel. When I did, the wall let the bolt slip out. The bolt really didn’t bend. It was a good bolt but the rest of the safe did. That being said, pay attention to the steel thickness.
Gun Safe fireproof material:
Normally it is UL listed fireboard. Almost all the manufactures use the same stuff. However, a couple of companies do use a concrete fireproof mix. This is normally only on the really high end models. I have heard of 1 company using ceramic. Which is great stuff for fireproofing but too fragile for a gun safe. Stay away from it. Because it can crumble inside the door but you will not see it.
Gun Safe Lock: Dial brands like LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf are very good. But its important to point out that some are made in the USA and others are made in overseas in China. Your gun safe that was made in China will have one of these locks. There are other brands also that are import from Asian countries but I prefer the LaGard or S&G as Sargent & Greenleaf are often called. If it doesn’t say the lock is UL listed. DON’T buy the safe. Keypads are great if you are keeping a gun inside for home security. Only a keypad will get you inside quick enough. Its very easy to open and convient. Worth money if you are getting in and out quickly. The negative is that it is a 9 volt battery operated devise with a maximum life cycle around 15 years. It is easy to replace by your local locksmith.
Gun Safe Relocker and Hardplate:
You will not see either a relocker or hardplate on the safe. Its in the door and hidden. You will have to ask or it will be in the brochure. If its not listed then it doesn’t have it. That is getting a little too cheap in quality for most gun owners. All UL listed Group II locks have a relocker automatically. What does a relocker do? Well, after a thief takes a sledge hammer and bangs off the dial from the front of the safe. He will often hammer a screw driver down the lock hole to try and knock the lock off the interior of the safe. This fires the relocker. (It will take a locksmith to get you into the safe). Hardplate keeps the expert thief with a drill out of the safe. Hardplate covers just the lock and must be melted in order to get past it and into the lock. This doesn’t happen very often that a thief has a blow torch or something to defeat it. Its more for bragging rights by the manufactures.
Warranty:
Lifetime fire warranty is normal in the industy. If you have a fire, they send you a new one for free. 1 year parts and labor is also normal. Though some are offering a Lifetime Burglary warranty now. If you get your safe broken into in a burglary or just destroyed the will repair or send a new one to you. However, some are offering a “Lifetime Warranty on Everything”. Stay away from that fairy tale. Those are fly by night manufactures that will be out of business within a year to two. (Sounds really great though)
Gun safes are designed with two purposes in mind:
safety and protection from theft and fire. While gun safes are not yet required by law, there may be laws in your state that will hold you responsible if a minor is injured or killed due to the failure to lock up your guns safely. This makes purchasing a gun safe the smart option for those who own guns.
Types of Safes
There are two main categories of gun safes: pistol safes and rifle and shotgun safes. Pistol safes come in two styles, allowing you to choose a smaller chest style or the larger cabinet style. The chest style is often designed to hold one gun and will secure the gun and protect it from fire. The cabinet style is larger and can accommodate multiple guns. Rifle and shotgun safes are larger to accommodate the length of these guns, protecting them from both fire and burglary, while keeping them out of reach. Some models have racks and shelves.
Fireproof Rating
As you consider the right gun safe, you need to look at the fireproof rating it carries. When you look at the fireproof ratings, you will see a time limit and a temperature listed. The time limit is the duration at which the temperature listed will be maintained within the safe when there is a fire. Your safe should keep the internal temperature at no more than 350 degrees to keep your guns and ammunition safe.
Burglary Rating
Many gun safes also have a burglary rating. This rating is also listed in time increments, letting you know how long it would take an experienced person to break into the safe with locksmith tools. The longer the time, the better protection you have.
Locking Mechanisms
The final aspect you need to consider as you look at gun safes is the locking mechanism used. You can find mechanical locks, mechanical combination locks and electronic keypad locks. The preferred type of locking mechanism today is the electronic keypad, allowing users to open it with the input of a specific code. Many can even grant access via multiple codes for more than one user.
Gun Safes Review
Gun safes are designed with two purposes in mind:
safety and protection from theft and fire. While gun safes are not yet required by law, there may be laws in your state that will hold you responsible if a minor is injured or killed due to the failure to lock up your guns safely. This makes purchasing a gun safe the smart option for those who own guns.
Types of Safes
There are two main categories of gun safes:
pistol safes and rifle and shotgun safes. Pistol safes come in two styles, allowing you to choose a smaller chest style or the larger cabinet style. The chest style is often designed to hold one gun and will secure the gun and protect it from fire. The cabinet style is larger and can accommodate multiple guns. Rifle and shotgun safes are larger to accommodate the length of these guns, protecting them from both fire and burglary, while keeping them out of reach. Some models have racks and shelves.
Fireproof Rating
As you consider the right gun safe, you need to look at the fireproof rating it carries. When you look at the fireproof ratings, you will see a time limit and a temperature listed. The time limit is the duration at which the temperature listed will be maintained within the safe when there is a fire. Your safe should keep the internal temperature at no more than 350 degrees to keep your guns and ammunition safe.
Burglary Rating
Many gun safes also have a burglary rating. This rating is also listed in time increments, letting you know how long it would take an experienced person to break into the safe with locksmith tools. The longer the time, the better protection you have. Locking Mechanisms
The final aspect you need to consider as you look at gun safes is the locking mechanism used. You can find mechanical locks, mechanical combination locks and electronic keypad locks. The preferred type of locking mechanism today is the electronic keypad, allowing users to open it with the input of a specific code. Many can even grant access via multiple codes for more than one user.
Gun Safe Disection:
I have many customers wanting me to tell them “Which is the best gun safe”. Well, that is a tough question. Because most manufacturers produce several gun safe lines. A good, a better, and a best series. Some manufactures make all three series very good quality. Some will often produce a VERY low end model and sell it to a big box retailer. All from the same company. So you see it is difficult to say that ALL the gun safes that come from XYZ manufacturer are the best. When only their top series is great and the rest are overpriced metal boxes.So I would like to break down the components of a gun safe into several sections. Quality of steel, fireproofing, lock, relocker and hardplate, and warranty.
Gun Safe manufacturing:
I’m not going to beat around the bush on this one. China is the country of choice. Even the models that say “Made in the USA” are made in China. The box and bolts are made in China and shipped to California where they put on the lock and a liner and call it “Made in the USA”. Cannon, American Security, Browning, Liberty, and others are all made in some form in China. Though they may make a very high end model here in the USA. You will be paying $4,000 and up for these units. The strange thing too is that no other country really makes gun safes. Just China. Don’t be heart broken its a fact of life in the USA.
Gun Safe steel comes in several thicknesses. Often refered to as gauge. Steel gauge is thicker the smaller the number. So a 10 gauge is thicker than a 12 gauge. Sounds odd but that is how its measured. There is also a term know as “B-Rated” which means they use 1/2 inch plate steel on door and 1/4 inch plate steel on body. This is much thicker than a 10 gauge steel. A 10 gauge thickness is just under 1/8 inch. I prefer the 10 gauge steel models. Though there are some very good 12 gauge models available. Anything thiner than a 12 gauge I stay away from. Because the wall of the safe becomes flexible at this point. Too flexible for me. I have crow barred models that you can get at big box retailers that don’t tell you the gauge of steel. When I did, the wall let the bolt slip out. The bolt really didn’t bend. It was a good bolt but the rest of the safe did. That being said, pay attention to the steel thickness.
Gun Safe fireproof material:
Normally it is UL listed fireboard. Almost all the manufactures use the same stuff. However, a couple of companies do use a concrete fireproof mix. This is normally only on the really high end models. I have heard of 1 company using ceramic. Which is great stuff for fireproofing but too fragile for a gun safe. Stay away from it. Because it can crumble inside the door but you will not see it.
Gun Safe Lock:
Dial brands like LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf are very good. But its important to point out that some are made in the USA and others are made in overseas in China. Your gun safe that was made in China will have one of these locks. There are other brands also that are import from Asian countries but I prefer the LaGard or S&G as Sargent & Greenleaf are often called. If it doesn’t say the lock is UL listed. DON’T buy the safe. Keypads are great if you are keeping a gun inside for home security. Only a keypad will get you inside quick enough. Its very easy to open and convient. Worth money if you are getting in and out quickly. The negative is that it is a 9 volt battery operated devise with a maximum life cycle around 15 years. It is easy to replace by your local locksmith.
Gun Safe Relocker and Hardplate:
You will not see either a relocker or hardplate on the safe. Its in the door and hidden. You will have to ask or it will be in the brochure. If its not listed then it doesn’t have it. That is getting a little too cheap in quality for most gun owners. All UL listed Group II locks have a relocker automatically. What does a relocker do? Well, after a thief takes a sledge hammer and bangs off the dial from the front of the safe. He will often hammer a screw driver down the lock hole to try and knock the lock off the interior of the safe. This fires the relocker. (It will take a locksmith to get you into the safe). Hardplate keeps the expert thief with a drill out of the safe. Hardplate covers just the lock and must be melted in order to get past it and into the lock. This doesn’t happen very often that a thief has a blow torch or something to defeat it. Its more for bragging rights by the manufactures.
Warranty:
Lifetime fire warranty is normal in the industy. If you have a fire, they send you a new one for free. 1 year parts and labor is also normal. Though some are offering a Lifetime Burglary warranty now. If you get your safe broken into in a burglary or just destroyed the will repair or send a new one to you. However, some are offering a “Lifetime Warranty on Everything”. Stay away from that fairy tale. Those are fly by night manufactures that will be out of business within a year to two. (Sounds really great though)
safety and protection from theft and fire. While gun safes are not yet required by law, there may be laws in your state that will hold you responsible if a minor is injured or killed due to the failure to lock up your guns safely. This makes purchasing a gun safe the smart option for those who own guns.
Types of Safes
There are two main categories of gun safes:
pistol safes and rifle and shotgun safes. Pistol safes come in two styles, allowing you to choose a smaller chest style or the larger cabinet style. The chest style is often designed to hold one gun and will secure the gun and protect it from fire. The cabinet style is larger and can accommodate multiple guns. Rifle and shotgun safes are larger to accommodate the length of these guns, protecting them from both fire and burglary, while keeping them out of reach. Some models have racks and shelves.
Fireproof Rating
As you consider the right gun safe, you need to look at the fireproof rating it carries. When you look at the fireproof ratings, you will see a time limit and a temperature listed. The time limit is the duration at which the temperature listed will be maintained within the safe when there is a fire. Your safe should keep the internal temperature at no more than 350 degrees to keep your guns and ammunition safe.
Burglary Rating
Many gun safes also have a burglary rating. This rating is also listed in time increments, letting you know how long it would take an experienced person to break into the safe with locksmith tools. The longer the time, the better protection you have. Locking Mechanisms
The final aspect you need to consider as you look at gun safes is the locking mechanism used. You can find mechanical locks, mechanical combination locks and electronic keypad locks. The preferred type of locking mechanism today is the electronic keypad, allowing users to open it with the input of a specific code. Many can even grant access via multiple codes for more than one user.
Gun Safe Disection:
I have many customers wanting me to tell them “Which is the best gun safe”. Well, that is a tough question. Because most manufacturers produce several gun safe lines. A good, a better, and a best series. Some manufactures make all three series very good quality. Some will often produce a VERY low end model and sell it to a big box retailer. All from the same company. So you see it is difficult to say that ALL the gun safes that come from XYZ manufacturer are the best. When only their top series is great and the rest are overpriced metal boxes.So I would like to break down the components of a gun safe into several sections. Quality of steel, fireproofing, lock, relocker and hardplate, and warranty.
Gun Safe manufacturing:
I’m not going to beat around the bush on this one. China is the country of choice. Even the models that say “Made in the USA” are made in China. The box and bolts are made in China and shipped to California where they put on the lock and a liner and call it “Made in the USA”. Cannon, American Security, Browning, Liberty, and others are all made in some form in China. Though they may make a very high end model here in the USA. You will be paying $4,000 and up for these units. The strange thing too is that no other country really makes gun safes. Just China. Don’t be heart broken its a fact of life in the USA.
Gun Safe steel comes in several thicknesses. Often refered to as gauge. Steel gauge is thicker the smaller the number. So a 10 gauge is thicker than a 12 gauge. Sounds odd but that is how its measured. There is also a term know as “B-Rated” which means they use 1/2 inch plate steel on door and 1/4 inch plate steel on body. This is much thicker than a 10 gauge steel. A 10 gauge thickness is just under 1/8 inch. I prefer the 10 gauge steel models. Though there are some very good 12 gauge models available. Anything thiner than a 12 gauge I stay away from. Because the wall of the safe becomes flexible at this point. Too flexible for me. I have crow barred models that you can get at big box retailers that don’t tell you the gauge of steel. When I did, the wall let the bolt slip out. The bolt really didn’t bend. It was a good bolt but the rest of the safe did. That being said, pay attention to the steel thickness.
Gun Safe fireproof material:
Normally it is UL listed fireboard. Almost all the manufactures use the same stuff. However, a couple of companies do use a concrete fireproof mix. This is normally only on the really high end models. I have heard of 1 company using ceramic. Which is great stuff for fireproofing but too fragile for a gun safe. Stay away from it. Because it can crumble inside the door but you will not see it.
Gun Safe Lock:
Dial brands like LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf are very good. But its important to point out that some are made in the USA and others are made in overseas in China. Your gun safe that was made in China will have one of these locks. There are other brands also that are import from Asian countries but I prefer the LaGard or S&G as Sargent & Greenleaf are often called. If it doesn’t say the lock is UL listed. DON’T buy the safe. Keypads are great if you are keeping a gun inside for home security. Only a keypad will get you inside quick enough. Its very easy to open and convient. Worth money if you are getting in and out quickly. The negative is that it is a 9 volt battery operated devise with a maximum life cycle around 15 years. It is easy to replace by your local locksmith.
Gun Safe Relocker and Hardplate:
You will not see either a relocker or hardplate on the safe. Its in the door and hidden. You will have to ask or it will be in the brochure. If its not listed then it doesn’t have it. That is getting a little too cheap in quality for most gun owners. All UL listed Group II locks have a relocker automatically. What does a relocker do? Well, after a thief takes a sledge hammer and bangs off the dial from the front of the safe. He will often hammer a screw driver down the lock hole to try and knock the lock off the interior of the safe. This fires the relocker. (It will take a locksmith to get you into the safe). Hardplate keeps the expert thief with a drill out of the safe. Hardplate covers just the lock and must be melted in order to get past it and into the lock. This doesn’t happen very often that a thief has a blow torch or something to defeat it. Its more for bragging rights by the manufactures.
Warranty:
Lifetime fire warranty is normal in the industy. If you have a fire, they send you a new one for free. 1 year parts and labor is also normal. Though some are offering a Lifetime Burglary warranty now. If you get your safe broken into in a burglary or just destroyed the will repair or send a new one to you. However, some are offering a “Lifetime Warranty on Everything”. Stay away from that fairy tale. Those are fly by night manufactures that will be out of business within a year to two. (Sounds really great though)
Gun Safes
A gun safe is specifically designed with two purposes in mind – to protect valuable guns and to restrict access to them to only authorized persons. While no state requires guns to be stored in a gun safe , some states have made persons criminally liable if a child is injured after obtaining unsupervised access to a gun. This makes gun safe s a necessity in those states, as they are the only solution that will keep children from finding and possibly using a gun. If you’ve got kids, you know that no hiding place is really safe from them.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a gun safe . The first is the overall size and shape of the gun safe . If you only need to store handguns, then a safe designed just for handguns is all you need – they are much smaller than safes designed to store rifles and shotguns, and less expensive. On the other hand, if you do need to secure rifles and/or shotguns, then you obviously need a tall, narrow, cabinet style gun safe . The number of guns that you need to store is another factor that will determine the size of the safe that you purchase. Also, if you have rifles with scopes mounted, you need to consider the extra clearance necessary for the scopes.
Another factor to consider is whether or not the gun safe is burglary rated. While a non-burglary-rated gun safe will keep the kids out, it might not protect your guns from a determined burglar who knows what they’re doing. So if theft is a concern, make sure the gun safe you choose has a burglary rating.
You will also need to consider the fire rating of the gun safe . The fire rating of a safe is the number of hours that the safe can remain in a 1700 degrees F fire before the internal temperature of the safe rises above 350 degrees F. In order to protect your guns from a typical house fire, look for a fire rating of at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
You will also want to consider the type of locking mechanism used by the gun safe . Models are available with either a traditional mechanical combination dial or with an electronic keypad lock. The electronic keypad lock is much more convenient than the mechanical combination lock.
Safeandvault.com offers two major series of gun safe . First, the L series, which uses nine 1-inch solid steel chrome plated bolts to secure the door, 1 layer of fire-proofing with a 30 minute 350 fire rating, and extra thick 10 gauge steel. For even more protection for your valuable guns, the H series offers ten 1-1/2 inch solid steel chrome plated bolts, a steel door that is double the thickness, twice the layers of fire liner, and a 1 hour 350 fire rating.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a gun safe . So remember, you will need to know the number and type of guns to be stored, how much and what type of security you require, and what type of locking mechanism you prefer.
Gun Safe Disection:
I have many customers wanting me to tell them “Which is the best gun safe”. Well, that is a tough question. Because most manufacturers produce several gun safe lines. A good, a better, and a best series. Some manufactures make all three series very good quality. Some will often produce a VERY low end model and sell it to a big box retailer. All from the same company. So you see it is difficult to say that ALL the gun safes that come from XYZ manufacturer are the best. When only their top series is great and the rest are overpriced metal boxes.So I would like to break down the components of a gun safe into several sections. Quality of steel, fireproofing, lock, relocker and hardplate, and warranty.
Gun Safe manufacturing:
I’m not going to beat around the bush on this one. China is the country of choice. Even the models that say “Made in the USA” are made in China. The box and bolts are made in China and shipped to California where they put on the lock and a liner and call it “Made in the USA”. Cannon, American Security, Browning, Liberty, and others are all made in some form in China. Though they may make a very high end model here in the USA. You will be paying $4,000 and up for these units. The strange thing too is that no other country really makes gun safes. Just China. Don’t be heart broken its a fact of life in the USA.
Gun Safe steel comes in several thicknesses. Often refered to as gauge. Steel gauge is thicker the smaller the number. So a 10 gauge is thicker than a 12 gauge. Sounds odd but that is how its measured. There is also a term know as “B-Rated” which means they use 1/2 inch plate steel on door and 1/4 inch plate steel on body. This is much thicker than a 10 gauge steel. A 10 gauge thickness is just under 1/8 inch. I prefer the 10 gauge steel models. Though there are some very good 12 gauge models available. Anything thiner than a 12 gauge I stay away from. Because the wall of the safe becomes flexible at this point. Too flexible for me. I have crow barred models that you can get at big box retailers that don’t tell you the gauge of steel. When I did, the wall let the bolt slip out. The bolt really didn’t bend. It was a good bolt but the rest of the safe did. That being said, pay attention to the steel thickness.
Gun Safe fireproof material:
Normally it is UL listed fireboard. Almost all the manufactures use the same stuff. However, a couple of companies do use a concrete fireproof mix. This is normally only on the really high end models. I have heard of 1 company using ceramic. Which is great stuff for fireproofing but too fragile for a gun safe. Stay away from it. Because it can crumble inside the door but you will not see it.
Gun Safe Lock:
Dial brands like LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf are very good. But its important to point out that some are made in the USA and others are made in overseas in China. Your gun safe that was made in China will have one of these locks. There are other brands also that are import from Asian countries but I prefer the LaGard or S&G as Sargent & Greenleaf are often called. If it doesn’t say the lock is UL listed. DON’T buy the safe. Keypads are great if you are keeping a gun inside for home security. Only a keypad will get you inside quick enough. Its very easy to open and convient. Worth money if you are getting in and out quickly. The negative is that it is a 9 volt battery operated devise with a maximum life cycle around 15 years. It is easy to replace by your local locksmith.
Gun Safe Relocker and Hardplate:
You will not see either a relocker or hardplate on the safe. Its in the door and hidden. You will have to ask or it will be in the brochure. If its not listed then it doesn’t have it. That is getting a little too cheap in quality for most gun owners. All UL listed Group II locks have a relocker automatically. What does a relocker do? Well, after a thief takes a sledge hammer and bangs off the dial from the front of the safe. He will often hammer a screw driver down the lock hole to try and knock the lock off the interior of the safe. This fires the relocker. (It will take a locksmith to get you into the safe). Hardplate keeps the expert thief with a drill out of the safe. Hardplate covers just the lock and must be melted in order to get past it and into the lock. This doesn’t happen very often that a thief has a blow torch or something to defeat it. Its more for bragging rights by the manufactures.
Warranty:
Lifetime fire warranty is normal in the industy. If you have a fire, they send you a new one for free. 1 year parts and labor is also normal. Though some are offering a Lifetime Burglary warranty now. If you get your safe broken into in a burglary or just destroyed the will repair or send a new one to you. However, some are offering a “Lifetime Warranty on Everything”. Stay away from that fairy tale. Those are fly by night manufactures that will be out of business within a year to two. (Sounds really great though)
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a gun safe . The first is the overall size and shape of the gun safe . If you only need to store handguns, then a safe designed just for handguns is all you need – they are much smaller than safes designed to store rifles and shotguns, and less expensive. On the other hand, if you do need to secure rifles and/or shotguns, then you obviously need a tall, narrow, cabinet style gun safe . The number of guns that you need to store is another factor that will determine the size of the safe that you purchase. Also, if you have rifles with scopes mounted, you need to consider the extra clearance necessary for the scopes.
Another factor to consider is whether or not the gun safe is burglary rated. While a non-burglary-rated gun safe will keep the kids out, it might not protect your guns from a determined burglar who knows what they’re doing. So if theft is a concern, make sure the gun safe you choose has a burglary rating.
You will also need to consider the fire rating of the gun safe . The fire rating of a safe is the number of hours that the safe can remain in a 1700 degrees F fire before the internal temperature of the safe rises above 350 degrees F. In order to protect your guns from a typical house fire, look for a fire rating of at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
You will also want to consider the type of locking mechanism used by the gun safe . Models are available with either a traditional mechanical combination dial or with an electronic keypad lock. The electronic keypad lock is much more convenient than the mechanical combination lock.
Safeandvault.com offers two major series of gun safe . First, the L series, which uses nine 1-inch solid steel chrome plated bolts to secure the door, 1 layer of fire-proofing with a 30 minute 350 fire rating, and extra thick 10 gauge steel. For even more protection for your valuable guns, the H series offers ten 1-1/2 inch solid steel chrome plated bolts, a steel door that is double the thickness, twice the layers of fire liner, and a 1 hour 350 fire rating.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing a gun safe . So remember, you will need to know the number and type of guns to be stored, how much and what type of security you require, and what type of locking mechanism you prefer.
Gun Safe Disection:
I have many customers wanting me to tell them “Which is the best gun safe”. Well, that is a tough question. Because most manufacturers produce several gun safe lines. A good, a better, and a best series. Some manufactures make all three series very good quality. Some will often produce a VERY low end model and sell it to a big box retailer. All from the same company. So you see it is difficult to say that ALL the gun safes that come from XYZ manufacturer are the best. When only their top series is great and the rest are overpriced metal boxes.So I would like to break down the components of a gun safe into several sections. Quality of steel, fireproofing, lock, relocker and hardplate, and warranty.
Gun Safe manufacturing:
I’m not going to beat around the bush on this one. China is the country of choice. Even the models that say “Made in the USA” are made in China. The box and bolts are made in China and shipped to California where they put on the lock and a liner and call it “Made in the USA”. Cannon, American Security, Browning, Liberty, and others are all made in some form in China. Though they may make a very high end model here in the USA. You will be paying $4,000 and up for these units. The strange thing too is that no other country really makes gun safes. Just China. Don’t be heart broken its a fact of life in the USA.
Gun Safe steel comes in several thicknesses. Often refered to as gauge. Steel gauge is thicker the smaller the number. So a 10 gauge is thicker than a 12 gauge. Sounds odd but that is how its measured. There is also a term know as “B-Rated” which means they use 1/2 inch plate steel on door and 1/4 inch plate steel on body. This is much thicker than a 10 gauge steel. A 10 gauge thickness is just under 1/8 inch. I prefer the 10 gauge steel models. Though there are some very good 12 gauge models available. Anything thiner than a 12 gauge I stay away from. Because the wall of the safe becomes flexible at this point. Too flexible for me. I have crow barred models that you can get at big box retailers that don’t tell you the gauge of steel. When I did, the wall let the bolt slip out. The bolt really didn’t bend. It was a good bolt but the rest of the safe did. That being said, pay attention to the steel thickness.
Gun Safe fireproof material:
Normally it is UL listed fireboard. Almost all the manufactures use the same stuff. However, a couple of companies do use a concrete fireproof mix. This is normally only on the really high end models. I have heard of 1 company using ceramic. Which is great stuff for fireproofing but too fragile for a gun safe. Stay away from it. Because it can crumble inside the door but you will not see it.
Gun Safe Lock:
Dial brands like LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf are very good. But its important to point out that some are made in the USA and others are made in overseas in China. Your gun safe that was made in China will have one of these locks. There are other brands also that are import from Asian countries but I prefer the LaGard or S&G as Sargent & Greenleaf are often called. If it doesn’t say the lock is UL listed. DON’T buy the safe. Keypads are great if you are keeping a gun inside for home security. Only a keypad will get you inside quick enough. Its very easy to open and convient. Worth money if you are getting in and out quickly. The negative is that it is a 9 volt battery operated devise with a maximum life cycle around 15 years. It is easy to replace by your local locksmith.
Gun Safe Relocker and Hardplate:
You will not see either a relocker or hardplate on the safe. Its in the door and hidden. You will have to ask or it will be in the brochure. If its not listed then it doesn’t have it. That is getting a little too cheap in quality for most gun owners. All UL listed Group II locks have a relocker automatically. What does a relocker do? Well, after a thief takes a sledge hammer and bangs off the dial from the front of the safe. He will often hammer a screw driver down the lock hole to try and knock the lock off the interior of the safe. This fires the relocker. (It will take a locksmith to get you into the safe). Hardplate keeps the expert thief with a drill out of the safe. Hardplate covers just the lock and must be melted in order to get past it and into the lock. This doesn’t happen very often that a thief has a blow torch or something to defeat it. Its more for bragging rights by the manufactures.
Warranty:
Lifetime fire warranty is normal in the industy. If you have a fire, they send you a new one for free. 1 year parts and labor is also normal. Though some are offering a Lifetime Burglary warranty now. If you get your safe broken into in a burglary or just destroyed the will repair or send a new one to you. However, some are offering a “Lifetime Warranty on Everything”. Stay away from that fairy tale. Those are fly by night manufactures that will be out of business within a year to two. (Sounds really great though)
Electronic Gun Safes
Electronic Gun Safes Information
An electronic safe is one that uses an electronic locking mechanism rather than a purely mechanical one. An electronic safe is quicker and more convenient to open than a regular mechanical one. It offers both security and convenience. There are basically two types of locking mechanisms that are available on an electronic safe – electronic keypad and biometric.
An electronic keypad locking mechanism presents the user with a familiar electronic “pin” pad for entering the combination to the safe. The user simply enters the combination on this “pin” pad, in much the same way as when using a debit card or ATM machine. The safe will only open in response to a valid combination being entered. Multiple pin numbers can be specified, enabling you to grant access to the safe to more than one person.
The second type of electronic safe, the biometric safe, uses a fingerprint scanner as the locking mechanism for the safe. To open the safe, the user simply places their index finger on the scanner, which uses a laser to scan the fingerprint, granting access if the fingerprint is a match. The fingerprint scanner works on the same principle as bar-code scanners commonly used in grocery stores. Multiple users can be granted access to the safe simply by placing the scanner in “enrolment mode” and scanning their fingerprints. Biometric safes are the most secure type of safe available today, because the person requiring access must be physically present to scan their fingerprint – it is not possible for a discovered pin or combination number to be used to open the safe.
Another factor to consider when choosing an electronic safe is what will be stored in the safe. If you only need to store documents and jewellery, then a standard safe will suffice. If you need to store and protect electronic media such as backup tapes, CDs or DVDs, then a special media safe is required. If you need to store rifles or shotguns, then you will need a special gun safe, mainly due to interior space requirements.
You will also need to determine the type and amount of security you would like the safe to provide. This can be determined from the various ratings that are assigned by safe manufacturers. First is the security rating of the safe, which tells how difficult it is to “break into” the safe. Second is the fire rating of the safe. There are two major standards used for the fire rating of an electronic safe – One, the 350 degree F rating, is designed for documents. The other, the 125 degree F rating, is for computer and electronic media. Both of these ratings, specified in number of hours, give the amount of time that the safe can withstand a 1700 degree F fire without the temperature inside rising above the specified amount – 350 degrees F for documents and 125 degrees F for electronic media. An electronic safe designed for media storage also provides protection from high humidity, dust, and electromagnetic fields, and electrostatic discharge.
One last factor to consider when choosing an electronic safe is the amount and arrangement of storage that you require. This will determine the overall size and shape of the safe. Make sure to choose a safe that offers a bit more room for storage than you actually need, so you’re not faced with replacing when you need to store a few more items.
As you can see, there are a number of considerations to be made when choosing an electronic safe. Keeping all of these factors in mind help in choosing a safe that is right for your needs.
An electronic safe is one that uses an electronic locking mechanism rather than a purely mechanical one. An electronic safe is quicker and more convenient to open than a regular mechanical one. It offers both security and convenience. There are basically two types of locking mechanisms that are available on an electronic safe – electronic keypad and biometric.
An electronic keypad locking mechanism presents the user with a familiar electronic “pin” pad for entering the combination to the safe. The user simply enters the combination on this “pin” pad, in much the same way as when using a debit card or ATM machine. The safe will only open in response to a valid combination being entered. Multiple pin numbers can be specified, enabling you to grant access to the safe to more than one person.
The second type of electronic safe, the biometric safe, uses a fingerprint scanner as the locking mechanism for the safe. To open the safe, the user simply places their index finger on the scanner, which uses a laser to scan the fingerprint, granting access if the fingerprint is a match. The fingerprint scanner works on the same principle as bar-code scanners commonly used in grocery stores. Multiple users can be granted access to the safe simply by placing the scanner in “enrolment mode” and scanning their fingerprints. Biometric safes are the most secure type of safe available today, because the person requiring access must be physically present to scan their fingerprint – it is not possible for a discovered pin or combination number to be used to open the safe.
Another factor to consider when choosing an electronic safe is what will be stored in the safe. If you only need to store documents and jewellery, then a standard safe will suffice. If you need to store and protect electronic media such as backup tapes, CDs or DVDs, then a special media safe is required. If you need to store rifles or shotguns, then you will need a special gun safe, mainly due to interior space requirements.
You will also need to determine the type and amount of security you would like the safe to provide. This can be determined from the various ratings that are assigned by safe manufacturers. First is the security rating of the safe, which tells how difficult it is to “break into” the safe. Second is the fire rating of the safe. There are two major standards used for the fire rating of an electronic safe – One, the 350 degree F rating, is designed for documents. The other, the 125 degree F rating, is for computer and electronic media. Both of these ratings, specified in number of hours, give the amount of time that the safe can withstand a 1700 degree F fire without the temperature inside rising above the specified amount – 350 degrees F for documents and 125 degrees F for electronic media. An electronic safe designed for media storage also provides protection from high humidity, dust, and electromagnetic fields, and electrostatic discharge.
One last factor to consider when choosing an electronic safe is the amount and arrangement of storage that you require. This will determine the overall size and shape of the safe. Make sure to choose a safe that offers a bit more room for storage than you actually need, so you’re not faced with replacing when you need to store a few more items.
As you can see, there are a number of considerations to be made when choosing an electronic safe. Keeping all of these factors in mind help in choosing a safe that is right for your needs.
Floor Safe max-security
Get Optimal Security with a Floor Safe
Floor safes are some of the most secure safes available and can be hidden easily, just like wall safes. These safes are often permanently installed in a wood or concrete floor and offer optimal security against theft. If you are considering a floor safe, there are several things to consider.
Construction Rating
There are two construction ratings you need to know: B rated and non-B rated. The B rated safe is constructed of solid steel with a wall thickness of ½ inch or less and a door thickness of 1 inch or less. These floor safes are more secure than non-B rated. In addition to the construction rating, it is important to choose one that is made from steel on the inside with a rust-proof polyurethane coating to protect against moisture.
Door Type
As you choose your floor safe, you will need to choose between a door that completely pulls out and one that swings open on a hinge. You can also opt for a door slot that allows you to put things into the safe without opening it. These slots are protected against retrieving the contents without opening the safe.
Locking Mechanism
The type of locking mechanism you choose is also important. Floor safes are available with combination dial locks or electronic keypad locks. It is important to make sure the combination lock you choose uses four numbers instead of the traditional three for added security. If you choose the electronic keypad, you will have a special PIN number, just like you have for an ATM machine. In addition to the locking mechanism, choose one with a spring-loaded re-locking mechanism that will add an extra bolt for protection when the lock is tampered with.
RV Safes
If you can’t install the safe directly into the floor, there are also mobile options that can be installed with a bolt through a hole in the floor. These are ideal for use in mobile homes, RVs and even the second floor of a home or building.
Floor safes are some of the most secure safes available and can be hidden easily, just like wall safes. These safes are often permanently installed in a wood or concrete floor and offer optimal security against theft. If you are considering a floor safe, there are several things to consider.
Construction Rating
There are two construction ratings you need to know: B rated and non-B rated. The B rated safe is constructed of solid steel with a wall thickness of ½ inch or less and a door thickness of 1 inch or less. These floor safes are more secure than non-B rated. In addition to the construction rating, it is important to choose one that is made from steel on the inside with a rust-proof polyurethane coating to protect against moisture.
Door Type
As you choose your floor safe, you will need to choose between a door that completely pulls out and one that swings open on a hinge. You can also opt for a door slot that allows you to put things into the safe without opening it. These slots are protected against retrieving the contents without opening the safe.
Locking Mechanism
The type of locking mechanism you choose is also important. Floor safes are available with combination dial locks or electronic keypad locks. It is important to make sure the combination lock you choose uses four numbers instead of the traditional three for added security. If you choose the electronic keypad, you will have a special PIN number, just like you have for an ATM machine. In addition to the locking mechanism, choose one with a spring-loaded re-locking mechanism that will add an extra bolt for protection when the lock is tampered with.
RV Safes
If you can’t install the safe directly into the floor, there are also mobile options that can be installed with a bolt through a hole in the floor. These are ideal for use in mobile homes, RVs and even the second floor of a home or building.
Floor Safe
Secure Your Premises with a Floor Safe
You want maximum security at your place of business, which is what you will find in the various floor safes available. Any business can benefit from the security of these units because they cannot simply be hoisted off by burglars; they are mounted directly into a wood or concrete floor for utmost security.
Locking Mechanism
The locking mechanism on your safe determines its ability to deter thieves. You can choose from a key, combination or electronic lock. In order to determine the level of safety of each lock, you should look for key locks with a three-wheel mechanism and combination locks that use at least four numbers. The type of lock you choose should be determined by your level of comfort with its use and safety.
Doors
Floor safes can come with either a lift-out or hinged door. They both offer the same level of safety but offer different levels of convenience. The hinged door does not offer full access to the entire unit, making it more difficult to retrieve your contents. The lift-out door offers full access to your contents but is more difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can choose doors that have a drop slot to allow deposits to be dropped into the safe without opening it.
Construction
The construction of the floor safe is important as well. A B rated safe is sturdier than a non-B rated unit because it is made with a ½” of steel and a door that is made with 1″ of steel. If your unit will be exposed to any dampness, a rustproof body is important as well to keep your floor safe in its best condition for a longer period of time.
You want maximum security at your place of business, which is what you will find in the various floor safes available. Any business can benefit from the security of these units because they cannot simply be hoisted off by burglars; they are mounted directly into a wood or concrete floor for utmost security.
Locking Mechanism
The locking mechanism on your safe determines its ability to deter thieves. You can choose from a key, combination or electronic lock. In order to determine the level of safety of each lock, you should look for key locks with a three-wheel mechanism and combination locks that use at least four numbers. The type of lock you choose should be determined by your level of comfort with its use and safety.
Doors
Floor safes can come with either a lift-out or hinged door. They both offer the same level of safety but offer different levels of convenience. The hinged door does not offer full access to the entire unit, making it more difficult to retrieve your contents. The lift-out door offers full access to your contents but is more difficult to maneuver. In addition, you can choose doors that have a drop slot to allow deposits to be dropped into the safe without opening it.
Construction
The construction of the floor safe is important as well. A B rated safe is sturdier than a non-B rated unit because it is made with a ½” of steel and a door that is made with 1″ of steel. If your unit will be exposed to any dampness, a rustproof body is important as well to keep your floor safe in its best condition for a longer period of time.
Fireproof Safes Review
Fireproof Safes are for Home or Commercial Use
Fireproof safes are safes that are designed to protect the contents from damage due to a home or business fire. The most important factor to consider when choosing fireproof safes is the fire rating assigned to the safe.
The fire rating is an indication of how well the safe will protect the contents during actual fire conditions. These ratings are usually given in minutes or hours. An example rating would be a 1 hour 350 degree F rating. This rating means that the safe has been exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour, and the temperature inside the safe did not rise above 350 degrees F. This is a low enough temperature to protect documents and other durable valuables from permanent damage.
For more delicate valuables or items such as electronic backup media, fireproof safes are available with special media ratings. Media ratings are determined in the same way as fire ratings, except that the internal temperature cannot rise above 125 degrees F, a much lower temperature. In addition, a media safe rating specifies that the humidity during fire conditions will not rise above 80% relative humidity.
Fireproof safes can also carry a burglary rating. The burglary rating gives an indication of how difficult the safe is to break into. Usually specified in minutes, they give the amount of time that it would take an experienced person (such as a locksmith) to break into the safe using common locksmithing tools. A higher burglary rating means a more secure safe. It important to point out that some ratings like TL 15 can be so difficult to break into that you can leave tools and a set of instructions on the safe and the thief still will not be able to get into it.
There are a number of other factors besides ratings to consider when choosing fireproof safes. One factor is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. Models are available with traditional mechanical combination dials, mechanical key locks, electronic keypad locks, and biometric locks. The electronic keypad lock is much more convenient than the mechanical combination dial or key lock. To open the safe, the user simply enters the combination to the safe on a PIN pad similar to the ones used on ATM machines. For even more convenience and security, consider a biometric lock. A biometric locking mechanism uses a fingerprint scanner to provide access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second, and the safe opens.
Electronic locks allow multiple users to be enrolled, and some models also have an audit trail feature. This feature allows you to see when the safe was accessed and by whom. This data is either viewed on a local display panel or uploaded to a personal computer for viewing.
Fireproof safes are available in a wide variety of overall sizes, shapes and interior arrangements. Consider carefully what is to be stored in the safe before choosing one. For example, media safes have available drawers designed for the storage of popular computer backup media. Special fireproof safes are also available for gun storage.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing fireproof safes. Be sure to consider the features that are most important to you in order to choose the safe that is right for your needs. Feel free to call us if you need more help narrowing down what you are looking for in a fireproof safe.
Fireproof safes are safes that are designed to protect the contents from damage due to a home or business fire. The most important factor to consider when choosing fireproof safes is the fire rating assigned to the safe.
The fire rating is an indication of how well the safe will protect the contents during actual fire conditions. These ratings are usually given in minutes or hours. An example rating would be a 1 hour 350 degree F rating. This rating means that the safe has been exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour, and the temperature inside the safe did not rise above 350 degrees F. This is a low enough temperature to protect documents and other durable valuables from permanent damage.
For more delicate valuables or items such as electronic backup media, fireproof safes are available with special media ratings. Media ratings are determined in the same way as fire ratings, except that the internal temperature cannot rise above 125 degrees F, a much lower temperature. In addition, a media safe rating specifies that the humidity during fire conditions will not rise above 80% relative humidity.
Fireproof safes can also carry a burglary rating. The burglary rating gives an indication of how difficult the safe is to break into. Usually specified in minutes, they give the amount of time that it would take an experienced person (such as a locksmith) to break into the safe using common locksmithing tools. A higher burglary rating means a more secure safe. It important to point out that some ratings like TL 15 can be so difficult to break into that you can leave tools and a set of instructions on the safe and the thief still will not be able to get into it.
There are a number of other factors besides ratings to consider when choosing fireproof safes. One factor is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. Models are available with traditional mechanical combination dials, mechanical key locks, electronic keypad locks, and biometric locks. The electronic keypad lock is much more convenient than the mechanical combination dial or key lock. To open the safe, the user simply enters the combination to the safe on a PIN pad similar to the ones used on ATM machines. For even more convenience and security, consider a biometric lock. A biometric locking mechanism uses a fingerprint scanner to provide access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second, and the safe opens.
Electronic locks allow multiple users to be enrolled, and some models also have an audit trail feature. This feature allows you to see when the safe was accessed and by whom. This data is either viewed on a local display panel or uploaded to a personal computer for viewing.
Fireproof safes are available in a wide variety of overall sizes, shapes and interior arrangements. Consider carefully what is to be stored in the safe before choosing one. For example, media safes have available drawers designed for the storage of popular computer backup media. Special fireproof safes are also available for gun storage.
As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing fireproof safes. Be sure to consider the features that are most important to you in order to choose the safe that is right for your needs. Feel free to call us if you need more help narrowing down what you are looking for in a fireproof safe.
Fireproof Safes
A fireproof safe is one that is designed to keep the internal temperature of the safe below a certain temperature when the safe is exposed to fire conditions. Typically, a fireproof safe will have one or more layers of fire resistant material and one or more layers of insulating material. The insulating material is designed to expand when heated, sealing the safe from the harmful effects of water used to put out a fire.
A fireproof safe will typically carry one or the other of two ratings. These ratings, specified in hours, give the amount of time that the safe can be exposed to fire conditions before the temperature inside the safe rises above a certain temperature. This temperature is typically 350 degrees F for documents, jewellery, and guns, and 125 degrees F for electronic and computer media such as floppy disks, backup tapes, CDs and DVDs. So, for example, a 1 hour 350 degree rating would mean that the safe could be exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour, without the temperature inside the safe rising above 350 degrees F. For a media safe, the maximum temperature would be 125 degrees F. In addition, a media safe will carry a rating for the maximum amount of humidity inside the safe during the test, usually 80% humidity.
Second to the fire rating of the fireproof safe, you will need to decide the amount of security you wish the safe to provide. If you are very concerned about security as well as fire protection, then you need to make sure the safe has a burglary rating as well. This rating basically tells how long it would take a knowledgeable person to “break into” the safe with locksmith tools at their disposal. If large amounts of cash or valuables are to be left overnight in the safe then you would want this rating to be as high as possible.
If you need to store and protect electronic computer media, then you need a media-rated fireproof safe. As mentioned earlier, a media safe carries a lower rating (125 degrees F) for maximum internal temperature than a document safe (350 degrees F). A media safe also carries a rating for maximum humidity (80% humidity), and offers protection from dust, electromagnetic fields, and electrostatic discharge.
If you need to protect guns with a fireproof safe, then you will need a special gun safe that can accommodate the special size requirements posed by rifles and shotguns. If the safe is a to be used to store electronic media, then you will need to choose the interior design of the safe (drawers and/or shelves) to accommodate the type and overall amount of media to be stored. For example, you can choose interior drawers each designed to store a certain number of floppy disks, DAT tapes or CDs/DVDs.
Another consideration when choosing a fireproof safe is the type of locking mechanism employed. You can choose a traditional keylock or mechanical combination lock. Or you might prefer the added convenience of an electronic keypad locking mechanism. Or the ultimate in security and convenience offered by a biometric safe – one which has a fingerprint scanner as the locking mechanism – simply walk up to the safe and press your finger on the scanner for about a second, and the safe opens.
A fireproof safe will typically carry one or the other of two ratings. These ratings, specified in hours, give the amount of time that the safe can be exposed to fire conditions before the temperature inside the safe rises above a certain temperature. This temperature is typically 350 degrees F for documents, jewellery, and guns, and 125 degrees F for electronic and computer media such as floppy disks, backup tapes, CDs and DVDs. So, for example, a 1 hour 350 degree rating would mean that the safe could be exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour, without the temperature inside the safe rising above 350 degrees F. For a media safe, the maximum temperature would be 125 degrees F. In addition, a media safe will carry a rating for the maximum amount of humidity inside the safe during the test, usually 80% humidity.
Second to the fire rating of the fireproof safe, you will need to decide the amount of security you wish the safe to provide. If you are very concerned about security as well as fire protection, then you need to make sure the safe has a burglary rating as well. This rating basically tells how long it would take a knowledgeable person to “break into” the safe with locksmith tools at their disposal. If large amounts of cash or valuables are to be left overnight in the safe then you would want this rating to be as high as possible.
If you need to store and protect electronic computer media, then you need a media-rated fireproof safe. As mentioned earlier, a media safe carries a lower rating (125 degrees F) for maximum internal temperature than a document safe (350 degrees F). A media safe also carries a rating for maximum humidity (80% humidity), and offers protection from dust, electromagnetic fields, and electrostatic discharge.
If you need to protect guns with a fireproof safe, then you will need a special gun safe that can accommodate the special size requirements posed by rifles and shotguns. If the safe is a to be used to store electronic media, then you will need to choose the interior design of the safe (drawers and/or shelves) to accommodate the type and overall amount of media to be stored. For example, you can choose interior drawers each designed to store a certain number of floppy disks, DAT tapes or CDs/DVDs.
Another consideration when choosing a fireproof safe is the type of locking mechanism employed. You can choose a traditional keylock or mechanical combination lock. Or you might prefer the added convenience of an electronic keypad locking mechanism. Or the ultimate in security and convenience offered by a biometric safe – one which has a fingerprint scanner as the locking mechanism – simply walk up to the safe and press your finger on the scanner for about a second, and the safe opens.
Fireproof Media Safes
Fireproof media safes are safes that are designed to protect fragile electronic backup media from the harmful effects of a fire. They also provide protection from high humidity, dust, magnetic fields and static discharge – all things that can cause damage to backup media.
The most important factor in choosing fireproof media safes is the fireproof rating of the safe. This rating gives an indication of how long the safe can remain in fire conditions without there being damage caused to the backup media contained in the safe. An example of a fireproof rating would be a 1 hour 125 degree F rating. This rating means that the safe could be exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour without the temperature inside the safe rising above 125 degrees F. In addition, the humidity would not rise above 80% humidity. Don’t confuse this fireproof rating with one designed for documents, which is specified at a much higher rate of 350 degrees F for the internal temperature – computer media would be permanently damaged at this temperature. As mentioned earlier, fireproof media safes are also designed to protect the contents from dust, magnetic fields, and static discharge. The seals on the door of the safe provide protection from dust as well as water. The outer conductive steel shell provides protection from magnetic fields and static discharge.
There are a number of other factors to consider when choosing fireproof media safes. One factor is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. These include traditional mechanical combination dials, electronic keypads, and biometric scanners. The electronic keypad locking mechanism is more convenient to use than the mechanical combination dial. The user simply enters the combination on a PIN pad similar to the one used on an ATM machine. Multiple users can also be granted access to the safe with this type of locking mechanism. Biometric scanners provide greater security and convenience. Biometric scanners use a fingerprint scanner to grant access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second to open the safe. Multiple users can be enrolled simply by scanning their fingerprints.
Other factors to consider include the type and amount of media to be stored. Most fireproof media safes offer a variety of convenient drawers designed to hold the different types of computer backup media. Drawers are available with storage for 3-1/2″ floppies, CDs/DVDs and various sizes of DAT tapes. The overall size and shape of the safe will be determined by the total amount of media that needs to be stored – be sure to plan for growth in the amount of storage. You will notice that these safes are NOT cheap. Though I keep a selection of “discount media safes” on our site, they are still expensive.
Now you are asking “What is the difference between a “discount” fireproof media safe and UL Fireproof media safes”? Good question! UL is Underwriters Labratory, which is a third party source that is paid to test products. UL may say that a fireproof media safe that lasts 1.59 hours in a test is only 1 1/2 hour rated. Where the discount ones are factory tested. 1:59 is as good as two hours for them. So the UL is a more trusted source. But you will ALWAYS pay more for a UL rated anything. Whether its a fireproof media safe or a blender for the kitchen. As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing fireproof media safes. Be sure to decide which factors are most important to you in order to choose the safe that is right for you and your business.
The most important factor in choosing fireproof media safes is the fireproof rating of the safe. This rating gives an indication of how long the safe can remain in fire conditions without there being damage caused to the backup media contained in the safe. An example of a fireproof rating would be a 1 hour 125 degree F rating. This rating means that the safe could be exposed to a 1700 degree F fire for 1 hour without the temperature inside the safe rising above 125 degrees F. In addition, the humidity would not rise above 80% humidity. Don’t confuse this fireproof rating with one designed for documents, which is specified at a much higher rate of 350 degrees F for the internal temperature – computer media would be permanently damaged at this temperature. As mentioned earlier, fireproof media safes are also designed to protect the contents from dust, magnetic fields, and static discharge. The seals on the door of the safe provide protection from dust as well as water. The outer conductive steel shell provides protection from magnetic fields and static discharge.
There are a number of other factors to consider when choosing fireproof media safes. One factor is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. These include traditional mechanical combination dials, electronic keypads, and biometric scanners. The electronic keypad locking mechanism is more convenient to use than the mechanical combination dial. The user simply enters the combination on a PIN pad similar to the one used on an ATM machine. Multiple users can also be granted access to the safe with this type of locking mechanism. Biometric scanners provide greater security and convenience. Biometric scanners use a fingerprint scanner to grant access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second to open the safe. Multiple users can be enrolled simply by scanning their fingerprints.
Other factors to consider include the type and amount of media to be stored. Most fireproof media safes offer a variety of convenient drawers designed to hold the different types of computer backup media. Drawers are available with storage for 3-1/2″ floppies, CDs/DVDs and various sizes of DAT tapes. The overall size and shape of the safe will be determined by the total amount of media that needs to be stored – be sure to plan for growth in the amount of storage. You will notice that these safes are NOT cheap. Though I keep a selection of “discount media safes” on our site, they are still expensive.
Now you are asking “What is the difference between a “discount” fireproof media safe and UL Fireproof media safes”? Good question! UL is Underwriters Labratory, which is a third party source that is paid to test products. UL may say that a fireproof media safe that lasts 1.59 hours in a test is only 1 1/2 hour rated. Where the discount ones are factory tested. 1:59 is as good as two hours for them. So the UL is a more trusted source. But you will ALWAYS pay more for a UL rated anything. Whether its a fireproof media safe or a blender for the kitchen. As you can see, there are a number of factors to consider when choosing fireproof media safes. Be sure to decide which factors are most important to you in order to choose the safe that is right for you and your business.
Fireproof Home Safe
Fireproof Home Safe
A fireproof home safe is one that is designed to protect and secure your documents and other valuables in the event of a home fire. They can be used to provide security from burglars as well. The most important factor in choosing a fireproof home safe is the fire rating of the safe. The fire rating specifies the amount of time that the safe can be exposed to fire conditions without the temperature inside the safe rising above a certain number. Keep in mind too, that most “Home Safes” fall in the lower end of the price list. But don’t be afraid to look at safes rated for commercial use as well. A good commercial grade safe can last over 100 years! I know because I have had two of them and can’t give the darn things away! An example of a fire rating would be a 1 hour 350 degree F rating. This means that the safe could be exposed to a fire of 1700 degrees F for 1 hour without the internal temperature of the safe reaching more than 350 degrees F. This temperature is low enough to protect most valuable, such as documents and jewelry, from permanent damage. If you need to store more delicate valuables, there are special media safes designed to protect fragile electronic media from damage. The rating for media safes is specified using 125 degrees F as the internal temperature, much lower than the normal 350 degree F rating. There are a number of other factors to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe. One factor is the burglary rating of the safe. Burglary ratings are designed to give an indication of how difficult it would be to break into the safe. Burglary ratings for a fireproof home safe are usually specified in minutes. An example would be a 15-minute burglary rating. This means that it would take at least 10 minutes for a knowledgeable person (an experienced locksmith) to break into the safe with common locksmith’s tools. While this may not seem to be a very long time, one thing most burglars do not have a lot of is time. A 15-minute burglary rating is a serious deterrent to even a professional burglar. Another factor to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. Safes are available with traditional mechanical combination locks – the type with a rotating dial. A more convenient alternative is an electronic keypad locking mechanism. With this type, the user simply enters the combination on a PIN pad to open the safe, in much the same way as when using an ATM or debit card machine. For even more security and convenience, consider a fireproof home safe with a biometric locking mechanism. A biometric locking mechanism uses a fingerprint scanner to grant access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second and the safe opens. Other factors to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe include the overall size and shape and the type of housing. The overall size and shape will be determined by the amount of valuables that you need to store in the safe. The intended location of the safe will determine the housing style. The most common housing type is a cabinet safe that opens from the front. This type is also available with special mounting brackets for mounting the safe in a wall. Another common style is the chest style. This type, usually quite small, is good for fire protection, but could be easily carried off by a burglar and we don’t want that. It’s obvious that there are quite a few factors to consider when purchasing a fireproof home safe. Be sure to consider each factor carefully, in order to make sure that you purchase the safe that is right for you.
A fireproof home safe is one that is designed to protect and secure your documents and other valuables in the event of a home fire. They can be used to provide security from burglars as well. The most important factor in choosing a fireproof home safe is the fire rating of the safe. The fire rating specifies the amount of time that the safe can be exposed to fire conditions without the temperature inside the safe rising above a certain number. Keep in mind too, that most “Home Safes” fall in the lower end of the price list. But don’t be afraid to look at safes rated for commercial use as well. A good commercial grade safe can last over 100 years! I know because I have had two of them and can’t give the darn things away! An example of a fire rating would be a 1 hour 350 degree F rating. This means that the safe could be exposed to a fire of 1700 degrees F for 1 hour without the internal temperature of the safe reaching more than 350 degrees F. This temperature is low enough to protect most valuable, such as documents and jewelry, from permanent damage. If you need to store more delicate valuables, there are special media safes designed to protect fragile electronic media from damage. The rating for media safes is specified using 125 degrees F as the internal temperature, much lower than the normal 350 degree F rating. There are a number of other factors to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe. One factor is the burglary rating of the safe. Burglary ratings are designed to give an indication of how difficult it would be to break into the safe. Burglary ratings for a fireproof home safe are usually specified in minutes. An example would be a 15-minute burglary rating. This means that it would take at least 10 minutes for a knowledgeable person (an experienced locksmith) to break into the safe with common locksmith’s tools. While this may not seem to be a very long time, one thing most burglars do not have a lot of is time. A 15-minute burglary rating is a serious deterrent to even a professional burglar. Another factor to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe is the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. Safes are available with traditional mechanical combination locks – the type with a rotating dial. A more convenient alternative is an electronic keypad locking mechanism. With this type, the user simply enters the combination on a PIN pad to open the safe, in much the same way as when using an ATM or debit card machine. For even more security and convenience, consider a fireproof home safe with a biometric locking mechanism. A biometric locking mechanism uses a fingerprint scanner to grant access to the safe. The user simply places their index finger on the scanner for about a second and the safe opens. Other factors to consider when choosing a fireproof home safe include the overall size and shape and the type of housing. The overall size and shape will be determined by the amount of valuables that you need to store in the safe. The intended location of the safe will determine the housing style. The most common housing type is a cabinet safe that opens from the front. This type is also available with special mounting brackets for mounting the safe in a wall. Another common style is the chest style. This type, usually quite small, is good for fire protection, but could be easily carried off by a burglar and we don’t want that. It’s obvious that there are quite a few factors to consider when purchasing a fireproof home safe. Be sure to consider each factor carefully, in order to make sure that you purchase the safe that is right for you.