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Frequently Asked Questions

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bolting a safe to the floor enhances its security by preventing it from being easily carried away by burglars. We provide high quality underfloor safes from leading manufacturers within the UK.

Look for features such as solid construction, pry-resistant doors, and multiple locking bolts. A thicker steel construction generally provides better security and protects your guns from fire and other hazards. 

Regularly inspect and clean your safe. Make the lock and bolts ready according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Keep the safe's interior dry and free from moisture. If you have any issues or concerns with your safe, we offer full maintenance services whether the unit is in or out of warranty. 

Yes, gun safes are often used to store ammunition also, but check with your insurance company to see if they will cover you for important documents, jewellery, and other valuables.  Ensure that your safe provides protection against fire and water damage if you plan to store sensitive items. 

Installation methods vary, but all safes can be bolted to either the floor or wall for added security. Our expert engineers will make sure your safe is properly installed. Contact us for more information regarding the installation process.

Gun safes typically have electronic locks, mechanical combination locks, or biometric (fingerprint) locks. The choice depends on personal preference and security needs. We highly recommend to explore our high quality gun safes from Burton and Burg Wachter.

This depends on the number and types of firearms you have. Consider future acquisitions and whether you want to store ammunition. Contact us for more information.

  1. Master code: The Master code is the highest level of access in a digital lock. It is typically used to program the lock, add or delete user codes, and change the lock's settings. The Master code is usually only known by the safe's owner or an authorized security manager.
  2. Manager code: The Manager code is a secondary level of access that is used to manage user codes and access permissions. This code is often given to a trusted employee or security personnel who is responsible for managing the safe's contents and controlling who has access to it.
  3. User code: The User code is the code that is programmed into the lock for regular users to open the safe. User codes are typically assigned to individuals who need access to the safe on a regular basis, such as employees or family members. The User code has limited permissions and cannot be used to change the lock's settings or add/delete other user codes.

The main difference between a combination lock and a digital lock is the method used to enter the code to open the safe.

Combination locks require the user to rotate a dial to enter a specific sequence of numbers or symbols, which must be entered in the correct order to open the safe. Combination locks have been used for many years and are well-known for their reliability and durability.

Digital locks, on the other hand, use an electronic keypad or touch screen to enter a code to open the safe. Digital locks are typically programmable and can store multiple user codes, making them convenient for use in commercial or shared settings.

In general, digital locks can offer higher levels of security than key locks because they can be programmed with complex codes that are difficult to guess or duplicate.

Digital locks also typically have additional security features such as time delays, multiple user codes, and audit trails that can help prevent unauthorized access and provide a record of who has accessed the safe and when. However, digital locks are vulnerable to hacking or electronic malfunctions, which can compromise their security. Key locks, on the other hand, are generally more reliable and less vulnerable to hacking or electronic failures, but they can be vulnerable to physical attacks such as lock picking or forced entry.

Commercial and home Safes can have various types of locks, including:

  • Combination Locks: Combination locks use a series of numbers or symbols that must be entered in the correct sequence to open the safe.
  • Key Locks: Key locks require a physical key to open the safe. These locks are simple and reliable, but the key can be lost or stolen.
  • Electronic Locks: Electronic locks use a keypad or touch screen to enter a code to open the safe. These locks can be programmed with multiple user codes and are often equipped with additional security features such as time delays and audit trails.

The difference between Eurograde 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 safes lies on the level of security they provide against burglary attempts. These grades are assigned based on the results of specific testing procedures carried out on the safes to determine their resistance against different types of attacks.

  • ​​Eurograde Grade 0 safes have a cash rating of £6,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £60,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 1 safes have a cash rating of £10,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £100,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 2 safes have a cash rating of £17,500 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £175,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 3 safes have a cash rating of £35,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £350,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 4 safes have a cash rating of £60,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £600,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 5 safes have a cash rating of £100,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £1,000,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 6 safes have a cash rating of £150,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £1,500,000.
  • Eurograde Grade 7 safes have a cash rating of £250,000 and a jewellery & valuables rating of up to £2,500,000.

The difference between a 30, 60, and 90-minute for fireproof safe is the amount of time the safe can withstand exposure to fire while protecting its contents.

A 30-minute, 60-minute and 90-minute fire-resistant safe is designed to protect its contents from damage for at least 30 minutes, 60 minutes and 90 minutes in the event of a fire. This means that the safe has been tested to withstand exposure to fire with an external temperature of up to 1550°F (843°C), 1700°F (927°C) and 1850°F (1010°C) for at least 30-minute, 60-minutes and 90-minutes without the internal temperature rising above a certain level that would damage the contents of the safe.

The higher the fire rating the higher the safety level of that safe. So, if the safe is primarily used for coins and jewellery, a high fire rating is not as important as it is used to store electronic data storage media or film.

  • Coins and jewellery - low
  • Notes, papers and documents - medium
  • Electronic records, backups and film - high

The EN1143-1 certification is recognized throughout Europe and is considered a mark of quality and security for safes and strongrooms. It involves testing of the products to ensure they meet certain resistance grades against burglary attacks, including various tools and methods used by burglars. It is the first part in the multi-series that specifies test methods, requirements, and classification which are used to classify the resistance to burglary and establishes the basis for testing and classifying free-standing safes, ATM safes, ATM bases, strongroom doors, and strongrooms.

The "ECB-S" certificate is a European certification for security products, specifically for safes and vaults. ECB-S stands for "European Certification Board - Security" and is a certification scheme for testing and approving the level of safes security to ensure they meet certain quality and safety standards. The ECB-S label is always printed on a noticeable metal plate attached to each certified safe to make it easier to be identified by the customer.

The term “Graded safe” refers to home and business safes which have been tested to European standards and issued an EN1143-1 Certificate. For example, a grade 1 safe is a safe where you can store up to £10.000 cash rating or £100.000 valuables. This ensures our customers are provided with the required protection for each grading level.

  • Secured by Design (SBD) is the UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of “designing out crime” through the use of effective crime prevention and security standards. Safes with the "Secured by Design" logo have been tested and approved to the exacting Police Standards.

Please follow the links above for the relevant service and we will give you a quote for the job. If you have more questions please feel free to give us a call on 01223 654757.