When selecting a safe to protect your valuables, understanding the different burglary ratings is crucial. The safe industry offers various ratings, each indicating a specific level of security. This guide will break down these ratings to help you make an informed decision.
A safe that’s rated for burglary protection is typically constructed from solid steel or composite materials, often with some form of concrete insulation. However, unless a safe has been tested and certified by Underwriters Laboratories (U.L.), the rating can vary significantly between manufacturers.
Here’s a breakdown of the different ratings you might encounter, starting from the basic and moving to the more secure options.
| Safe Type | Body Thickness | Door Thickness | Tools Resistance | Safety Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “B” Rated Safe | 3/16″ – 1/4″ | 1/2″ | Basic household tools | Low |
| “C” Rated Safe | 1/2″ | 1″ | Basic household tools | Moderate |
| “E” Rated Safe | 1″ | 1-1/2″ | Basic household tools | High |
| U.L. RSC Safe | Varies | Varies | Household tools (5 mins) | Moderate |
| U.L. TL-15 Safe | Varies | Varies | High-powered tools (15 mins) | High |
| U.L. TL-30 Safe | Varies | Varies | High-powered tools (30 mins) | Very High |
| U.L. TRTL-30 Safe | Varies | Varies | High-powered tools & torches (30 mins) | Very High |
| U.L. TRTL-60X6 Safe | Varies | Varies | High-powered tools & torches (60 mins) | Extremely High |
| U.L. TXTL-60X6 Safe | Varies | Varies | Tools, torches & explosives (60 mins) | Maximum |
“B” Rating
- Body Thickness: 3/16″ to 1/4″ steel
- Door Thickness: 1/2″ steel
A “B” rating is the most basic level of protection. These safes typically feature a steel body and door, with thicknesses that provide minimal resistance to attacks. However, “B” ratings are not standardized, and manufacturers may use different methods to achieve these specifications. “B” rated safes are often used for cash management or as depository safes.
“C” Rating
- Body Thickness: 1/2″ steel
- Door Thickness: 1″ steel
The “C” rating offers a higher level of security compared to “B” rated safes. These safes generally have thicker steel bodies and doors, making them more resistant to attempts at forced entry. Despite the increased security, “C” ratings, like “B” ratings, are not standardized and can vary between manufacturers. These safes are commonly used in environments where higher security is needed, such as for cash management.
“E” Rating
- Body Thickness: 1″ steel
- Door Thickness: 1-1/2″ steel
“E” rated safes are among the most secure non-standardized safes. These safes feature even thicker steel bodies and doors, providing substantial protection against burglary attempts. Despite their robust construction, “E” ratings are uncommon and are typically overshadowed by safes that meet U.L. certification standards like TL-15. “E” rated safes are rarely used because manufacturers often opt to meet official U.L. certification instead.
U.L. Certified Safes
U.L. certifications are the gold standard in safe ratings. These certifications involve rigorous testing to ensure that a safe meets specific security criteria. Here’s a breakdown of U.L. ratings from the most basic to the most advanced.
U.L. RSC (Residential Security Container) Rating
- Net Working Time: 5 minutes
- Tools Used: Household tools
RSC rated safes provide basic protection against common household tools. These safes must withstand a minimum of 5 minutes of attack, making them suitable for residential use where the threat level is lower.
U.L. TL-15 Rating
- Net Working Time: 15 minutes on the door, 8 minutes on the body
- Tools Used: High-powered tools
TL-15 rated safes offer a significant upgrade in security. These safes are designed to resist attacks from high-powered tools for a minimum of 15 minutes on the door and 8 minutes on the body. TL-15 safes are ideal for protecting high-value items.
U.L. TL-30 Rating
- Net Working Time: 30 minutes on the door, 8 minutes on the body
- Tools Used: High-powered tools
TL-30 rated safes provide even more security, resisting attacks from high-powered tools for at least 30 minutes. These safes are commonly used by jewelers and collectors who need to protect valuable items.
U.L. TRTL-30 Rating
- Net Working Time: 30 minutes on the door, 8 minutes on the body
- Tools Used: High-powered tools and cutting torches
The TRTL-30 rating adds protection against cutting torches in addition to high-powered tools. This rating is a step up from the TL-30, offering enhanced security for extremely valuable items.
U.L. TL-15X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 15 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools
TL-15X6 safes provide 15 minutes of protection on all six sides of the safe. This rating is ideal for environments where a higher level of all-around security is needed.
U.L. TL-30X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 30 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools
For maximum security, TL-30X6 safes offer 30 minutes of protection on all six sides. These safes are designed to withstand prolonged attacks from professional thieves.
U.L. TRTL-15X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 15 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools and cutting torches
The TRTL-15X6 rating adds the extra security of torch resistance to the already robust TL-15X6 rating. This level of protection is ideal for safeguarding extremely valuable items in high-risk environments.
U.L. TRTL-30X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 30 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools and cutting torches
TRTL-30X6 safes offer the highest level of tool and torch resistance available for all six sides of the safe. These safes are often used by those needing to protect irreplaceable items.
U.L. TRTL-60X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 60 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools and cutting torches
For those requiring the utmost protection, the TRTL-60X6 rating offers an hour of resistance on all six sides of the safe. These safes are designed for the highest level of security in the most demanding environments.
U.L. TXTL-60X6 Rating
- Net Working Time: 60 minutes on all six sides
- Tools Used: High-powered tools, cutting torches, and explosives
The TXTL-60X6 rating is the pinnacle of safe security. These safes can withstand 60 minutes of attack from high-powered tools, cutting torches, and even explosives. This level of security is typically reserved for the most valuable items and is used by those who cannot afford any compromise in protection.
Conclusion
Choosing the right safe involves understanding the different burglary ratings and what they mean for your security needs. Whether you require basic protection for residential use or the highest level of security for valuable items, this guide provides the necessary insights to make an informed decision.
Always opt for U.L. certified safes when possible, as they provide the most reliable and tested protection available.