What’s in a Label

When reading up on safe’s in anticipation of your purchase you may find a host of classifications, ratings and other seemingly official information that supposedly provides insight into a safe’s ability to take the heat and keep on ticking.  While there are a variety of different certifications and classifications on the market, the most trusted would be an UL rating.  The UL rating, short for Underwriter’s Laboratory which is the organization that provides the analysis, comes in four, two and one hour varieties, plus two more for insulated records containers.  These correspond to the length of time that the safe could be exposed to fire without putting the internal contents at risk.

Just how Does UL Come up with the Rating

It may be fine and dandy that the UL rating claims to protect your treasures from damage, but transparency as to how that rating is determined is paramount to your faith in the product.  For the UL rating, the independent lab conducts a thorough real-world analysis of the safe.  The safe, along with paper document contents and a digital thermometer designed to record temperature, are placed in a furnace.  After everything is prepped and ready, it’s time to turn up the heat.

The heat within the furnace is slowly increased with the thermometer locked securely away on the inside with the sample documents.  Once the specified time under fire is reached, the flame is turned off and the safe is allowed to cool.  The lab retrieves all the data inside for analysis.  Per UL, the safe is deemed to have passed the test if the records are still usable and the interior shows no signs of undue heat transmission.  Oh, yeah…the safe is also tested for ability to withstand explosions and impact when heated.

So, yes, if you buy a safe with a UL rating then you can trust you’re getting what you’re paying for.

Other Independent Ratings

It’s important to note that UL ratings are the gold standard in the safe and fire protection industry.  Some manufacturers apply their own internal ratings or use lesser or unknown companies to perform analysis.  This is problematic since it’s impossible to compare standards across companies and little to no data exists to ensure you can rely on the claims.

At A-1 Locksmith we only sell safes that have been tested and labelled with UL certifications.  When it comes to protecting your valuable documents and prized possessions we believe there should be no room for doubt as to whether your fire proof safe will perform under pressure.  If you’re in the market for a safe call A-1 today for a free consultation where one of our security experts will walk you through the many available options in order to ensure you understand both the product and the process behind your new investment in a fireproof safe.

When choosing a gun safe, many consumers are tempted to choose the most basic and cheapest model. However, price shopping your gun safe isn’t always a smart decision, Here are five reasons not to price shop your gun safe:

1. A Cheap Gun Safe May Not Have a High Fire Rating

While no one likes to think about it, fires do happen. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association reports that in 2014 alone, there were 1,298,000 fires reported in the U.S. While a cheap gun safe may save you some moolah, if your gun safe doesn’t have a high fire rating, things may go up in flames – literally.

2. Cheap Safes, Cheap Locks

Another problem with cheap safes is that they very often are made with cheap locks. A cheap lock can be very problematic, especially in the event of a burglary. A cheap lock may also put your loved ones in danger, as kids can be very innocently curious.

3. Safe Security Matters

A cheaper gun safe is likely made out of cheaper materials. While these safes may provide protection from any amateur burglar, a lightweight steel sheet (what most inexpensive safes are made of) can easily be breached with an axe or other tool. A more expensive safe will use heavier gauge steel, adding reinforcements.

4. A Heavy Safe May Provide More Protection

You may think that having a safe than weighs more than you can lift is a downside, especially if its price tag shocks you. However, the heavier safe, the more likely it is to be made of stronger steel. Further, an ultra heavy safe can be nearly impossible to just haul away, reducing the risk of the safe being stolen.

5. Size Matters

If the only thing that you’re consider is price, you may choose a safe that’s not big enough to house all of your guns, meaning that you’d have to turn to a basic lock cabinet for the others. The ability to store all of your guns in a central location is not only more convenient, but safer too. Plus, a large gun safe also provides room for storing other valuables, like jewelry, important documents, and more.

Speak with a Gun Safe Professional Today

At A-1 Safes Co., we can help you to choose the right safe for your gun(s). To learn more, call our professionals today for answers to any of your questions.