Types of safes

It may be difficult to fathom, but an everyday metal cupboard with a wall thickness ranging from 2 to 5 mm and a reasonably dependable internal lock can also be deemed as a secure storage option. While it may lack any burglary resistance classification, it’s suitable for utilization in highly protected areas. Nevertheless, if you require home safeguarding for valuable belongings, it would be wise to opt for something more substantial.

Types of safes

Quality safes, whether small or large, solid or less solid, are always capable of fulfilling their assigned tasks. However, their effectiveness depends on proper installation. To ensure the right choice, it is important to become more acquainted with the distinctive characteristics of various models.

By purpose

Furniture safes are perfect for temporary storage of valuable materials. Their small size and lightweight design make them easily concealable on a closet shelf, keeping them out of sight from unwanted attention. Despite typically having just one lock, opening these safes can prove to be quite challenging.

Office safes are a robust solution for storing a wide range of documents. They are designed for secure premises and may not offer high-level burglary resistance. However, they can often provide fire protection for documents in case of emergencies.

Gun home safes are available in various sizes, allowing buyers to choose one that suits their arsenal. A key feature is a separate shelf for storing ammunition, sometimes with its own door. For those who prefer to display their weapons, there are models with a transparent panel made of armored glass.

Deposit safes are commonly found in shopping centers and are an integral component of payment machines. To deposit a crisp bill, simply insert it into the receiver. However, retrieving the bill requires opening the secure vault, which is locked with multiple locks. In everyday life, deposit safes are often used as unique piggy banks.

The DATA-Safe is specifically designed for storing data carriers. While it may not have a large storage capacity, it can easily accommodate flash drives and tapes without taking up much space. The external dimensions of the DATA-Safe are impressive, as it provides protection against theft and thermal insulation.

By degree of security

There are only 3 categories of safes based on this parameter:

• burglar-resistant;
• fireproof;
• fireproof; fire-break-resistant.

The first category has 12 security classes (starting from zero). Typically, 1-2 classes are chosen for home use, while 2-3 classes are suitable for businesses concerned about the safety of important information. Financial institutions use safes of classes 4-5. Safes of the sixth class and higher are custom-made. Therefore, it is not worth trusting a seller who persistently offers to buy a "eight" as it often may not even be a "five".

Regulations for burglary resistance are set by state and international standards, so it is advisable to avoid various specifications from manufacturers.

1. B – designed for preserving documents. It maintains the internal temperature for a specific period of time, not exceeding 170º, in the event of a fire. However, some types of papers may still become unsalvageable after this "drying" process.
2. D – money and other valuable items will not be affected by the heat, as this safe maintains a "comfortable" 70º.
3. DIS – specifically created for storing electronic data carriers. In case of a fire, the temperature inside will not exceed 50º.

The numerical values preceding the class abbreviations represent the maximum duration in which the temperature inside the storage area is ensured to remain stable. This can be 30, 60, 90, or 120 minutes. Therefore, labeling the inner side of the door with "120 DIS" guarantees that the safe will maintain the temperature below 50º for two hours, even if it is placed in an oven heated to 1000 degrees Celsius.

Manufacturers have to create a very bulky design in order to achieve the combination of qualities found in both analogs. Typically, fireproof models are custom made to meet specific requirements.

By type of installation

Built-in safes are known for their compact size, as they are designed to be placed and securely fixed inside walls or floors. They have become popular because of their ability to be disguised. In fact, some manufacturers have taken it a step further by creating models with a low level of burglary resistance that are indistinguishable from wall clocks, outlets, or other familiar objects.

Floor safes, on the other hand, are larger and provide greater capacity and protection. They are typically secured to the floor and walls, making them impossible to remove due to their substantial weight. These safes are often camouflaged under furniture.