Safes come in many different types and each safe can have different features and benefits. We will try to cover all the major types of safes and the best way they are used. Below is the common types of safes and the different protections that each safe offers.

1. Fire safes – used to protect contents from a standard fire for a stated period and temperature. A fire safe will protect paperwork and other items that burn or melt at a high temperature. Plastics and media such as dvds, tapes and cd\’s will melt and become useless if put through a fire in a standard fire safe, a data/media safe must be used for these items. Fire safes generally provide very little burglar protection and can be opened easily with hand tools. Fire safes generally provide 1 hour of fire protection and are also available in 2 hour models. Fire safes are usually made from a thin metal or plastic shell filled with fireproofing material.

2. Burglar/security safe – Burglar/security safes are made of heavy duty steel and offer no fire protection. Items placed inside including cash will burn in a fire and will not be recovered. The steel of these safes heat up in a fire and would act as an oven cooking everything inside. Safes of this type can withstand a common burglar attack. Professional thieves or a burglar with sophisticated equipment may be able to open a burglar/security safe given enough time with the safe. If valuable of high monetary value must be secured, a High security TL-15 or TL-30 model should be used.

3. Fire/Burglar safe – Fire burglar safes offer the fire protection of a fire safe and the security of a burglar/security safe.In most cases, this is the best option for a standard home or business to keep some valuables and important paperwork safe. These safes are usually made with steel inner and outer shells filled with a composite fireproofing/security material similar to concrete, but may also utilize fire-board on the inside to provide the fire protection.

4. Data/media safe – Data/Media safe are used to protect storage media & data from fires. The melting temp. of most cds, dvds, tapes, film and other storage is as low as 125 degrees fahrenheit. These safes are made to keep the inside of the safe below 125 degrees for a period of 1 or 2 hours. Data/Media safes are available in 3 hours protection in some situations.

5. Drop/Depository Safe – Drop Depository safes are made to secure cash received during the day by businesses. Most drop/depository safes are not made to protect cash overnight. These safe have a slot, drop door or rotary hopper to deposit cash into a secured area of the safe. Drop/deposit safes are generally not fireproof, although I have seen at least one fireproof model available.

6. Gun Safes – Gun safes are used for many different purposes. The most common is to protect gun and ammo from kids, burglars and fire. Gun safes can be fire resistant, but may not be. Most gun safes that don\’t offer fire protection are referred to as gun cabinets. Gun safes also are commonly converted to all shelves on the inside and used in homes and businesses for a variety purposes. Gun safe come in many different security levels, fire protection and seizes.

7. Floor Safes – Floor Safes are made specifically to be placed below floor level usually encased in concrete. Floor safe may offer some fireproofing, but are not made to be fireproof. The fireproofing the safe offers is only due to the fact that the safe is encased in concrete and the heat will have a difficult time getting to the contents of the safe. Floor safes are generally very secure and difficult to break into. Floor safes also are easily concealed under carpet. These safes are great to plan into a newly built home.

8. Wall Safes – Wall Safes can be fireproof, but most are not. These safes are placed into a cutout in the wall and usually secured to the studs. Wall safes have the advantage that they are emails hidden behind a picture and can be very difficult for a burglar to locate. A wall safe that does not have a fire label will not offer any fire protection and all burnable contents will be lost in a fire.

9. High Security Safes – These safes are generally used to protect items of high value. Most high security safes are also fireproof, however may not be. High Security safes are used in banks, jewelry stores, pawn shops and many other locations that may be susceptible to a professional burglar attack. These safes generally weigh 700 lbs. or more and are very expensive. High security safes come in many different security levels starting with the TL-15 and ending with the uncommon TRTL-60X6.

This short guide should help you decide which safe works for you and what to do with it once you have it. Safes are a great way to protect you valuables and will give you bang for your bucks for years to come.

Andrew Youtz CRL CMS Certified Master Safecracker Certified Registered Locksmith http://My-Self-Defense.com Find out more on purchasing safes by visiting our Complete Safe Buying Guide. http://www.my-self-defense.com/safe-buying-guide.html

Andrew Youtz CRL CMS Certified Master Safecracker Certified Registered Locksmith http://My-Self-Defense.com Find out more on purchasing safes by visiting our Complete Safe Buying Guide. http://www.my-self-defense.com/safe-buying-guide.html

Author Bio: Andrew Youtz CRL CMS Certified Master Safecracker Certified Registered Locksmith http://My-Self-Defense.com Find out more on purchasing safes by visiting our Complete Safe Buying Guide. http://www.my-self-defense.com/safe-buying-guide.html

Category: Advice
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