Please note that this explanation is highly technical and many of the ratings would generally only be considered necessary for protecting items with high values or for businesses which sell jewelry, coins and other expensive products.
95% of our residential safe customers are well protected with RSC or B-Rated safes or even models that don’t have an official burglary rating.
Safe burglary ratings are standardized measures that indicate the level of protection a safe offers against unauthorized access, particularly through burglary attempts. These ratings help consumers choose safes that meet their security needs, depending on what they plan to store (e.g., cash, valuables, documents). Here’s an explanation of key burglary ratings:
Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) Ratings
UL is a globally recognized organization that tests and certifies safes based on their resistance to attacks. Common burglary ratings include:
- UL RSC (Residential Security Container)
- Description: Entry-level burglary protection for home use.
- Testing: Withstands light tools (screwdrivers, hammers) for 5 minutes.
- Usage: Ideal for basic protection against casual thieves.
- UL TL-15
- Description: Medium-level protection.
- Testing: Withstands attacks using sophisticated tools (drills, grinders, saws) for 15 minutes.
- Usage: Suitable for small businesses and higher-value items.
- UL TL-30
- Description: Higher level of protection than TL-15.
- Testing: Withstands advanced attacks using powerful tools for 30 minutes.
- Usage: Commonly used by jewelers and businesses handling significant cash or valuables.
- UL TL-30X6
- Description: TL-30 security applied to all six sides of the safe.
- Testing: All sides (front, back, sides, top, and bottom) resist tool attacks for 30 minutes.
- Usage: For high-security applications like banks or luxury jewelry stores.
- UL TRTL-30X6
- Description: Combines tool and torch resistance.
- Testing: All six sides withstand both tool and torch attacks for 30 minutes.
- Usage: For very high-value assets in highly secure environments.
Other Safe Ratings
Some safes are rated by other organizations or standards that complement UL ratings:
- B-Rated Safes
- Description: General rating for safes with steel bodies and basic protection.
- Testing: No specific standardized testing; depends on construction details like door thickness.
- Usage: Common for residential or low-risk settings.
- C-Rated Safes
- Description: Enhanced protection with thicker steel.
- Testing: Body thickness of at least 0.25 inches and door thickness of 1 inch.
- Usage: For storing moderate-value items.
- E-Rated Safes
- Description: Higher protection than C-rated safes.
- Testing: Typically designed to resist professional burglary tools; no universal standard.
- Usage: Businesses requiring advanced security.
What to Consider
When choosing a safe with the appropriate burglary rating:
- Value of Contents: Higher-value items need higher-rated safes.
- Location: Safes in high-crime areas may require stronger protection.
- Insurance Requirements: Many insurers specify minimum ratings for coverage.
Each rating represents the time and tools it takes for a professional burglar to break in under controlled testing conditions. Higher-rated safes are more robust but also more expensive. Balancing cost and protection needs is key.