| There are many home safes on the market | | | | composite construction with a 5" thick door and a |
| today, and like many industries, it has its own | | | | 2" thick body, 1-1/2" bolts, full length hinge side |
| vocabulary. But everyday people own home | | | | locking bar, dual re-locks, and a drill resistive hard |
| safes,and most do not want to learn the industry | | | | plate. |
| lingo in order to purchase the one that is best for | | | | TL-30 Safes |
| them. Most safes are security and fire tested by | | | | These are the top of the line in the safe building |
| the independent Universal Laboratories, and have | | | | industry. You will find TL-30 Safes for commercial |
| a UL rating based upon the security and fire | | | | use in jewelry stores, credit unions, pawn shops, |
| testing that they have passed. These I have | | | | and homes that only want the best in quality |
| discussed in previous articles, so today I want to | | | | safes. The next best thing is the vault at Fort |
| take a look at other rating systems that you | | | | Knox! The TL-30 has several relockers and |
| may come across when you are shopping for a | | | | hardplate on top of hard plate. It also has ball |
| safe, many that meet agreed upon insurance | | | | bearings sandwiched in between layers. A 1-1/2 |
| standards. | | | | hour UL fire rating is standard, and a TL-30 will |
| B-Rated Security Steel Safes | | | | also have the same basic features mentioned |
| A B-Rated safe meets a set of agreed upon | | | | above for the TL-15 home safes. |
| insurance standards. The B-rating basically wants a | | | | It is important to notify your insurance company |
| safe to have a minimum of a 1/2 inch steel in the | | | | if you purchase one of these home safes (a |
| door and 1/4 inch steel in the body. It also must | | | | TL-15 or TL-30) because they may give you a |
| have a drill resistant hardplate around the lock. | | | | discount on your home owners content insurance. |
| One thing to be aware of is that many of these | | | | European Grade 1 Safes |
| safes do not have any fireproofing, only steel. | | | | This is the European equivalent of our American |
| This is for maximum dollar to steel protection | | | | TL-15, though they are put together different |
| against theft. They often contain huge and | | | | than the American safe. It is a fantastic design |
| numerous locking bolts, and have predrilled holes in | | | | with a lot of thought put into its design. The fire |
| the bottom so that they can be anchored to any | | | | rating is at 2000 degrees for one hour, which is a |
| foundation. They are designed as a maximum | | | | much higher temperature than we test at in the |
| security safe that is affordable, just be aware of | | | | U.S. One thing you will notice is the weight is as |
| their fire rating, because a B-rated safe does not | | | | much as 70% lighter and it has no exterior hinges. |
| have to meet any minimum fire resistant testing. | | | | They depend on the bulk of the steel being "Drill |
| TL-15 Safes | | | | Resistant Hard Plate". If you are interested in a |
| These are popular jewelry safes or vaults as | | | | TL-15, it is worth considering European Grade 1 |
| some like to call them. These are mainly used in | | | | home safes before purchasing, you will be |
| jewelry stores, check cashing establishments, | | | | impressed with the features. Excellent insurance |
| pawn shops, or by collectors of very expensive | | | | rating and they are also ready to bolt to the floor |
| items. These home safes are UL listed with both | | | | or wall. |
| a Fireproof Safe rating and Burglary rating. These | | | | So, if you have a lot of valuables to protect, |
| home safes are also insurance rated and come | | | | consider home safes with any of the above |
| with predrilled holes for easy bolting down to the | | | | ratings. Not only do you get superior protection |
| floor. These safes are heavy and not fun to | | | | and security, but you may also save a bit on your |
| move. | | | | home owners insurance. |
| Some basic features of TL-15 safes are | | | | |