Safes are a long-term investment. It is therefore important to identify both your short and long term requirements before choosing a particular model and size. For more information on types of safes available refer to Which Safe?

The following summary is designed to give a brief, “at a glance” guide to product suitability. Safe Suitability Cash Safe Protection of valuables, jewellery, money. Also paperwork/legal docs, where fire protection is not a priority. Fire – Document All paperwork, including passports, birth certificates legal docs etc.  Fire – Media (Combined feature)  Protects all document as well as all media. For instance CD, diskettes, photographs, negative etc.

Size 
You will need to consider both the internal and the external dimensions, in order to ensure that the safe will fit into its designated space. You also need to consider the amount of internal storage space required. For this reason, it can be helpful to have the measurements of the largest item you will place in the safe in order to get a sense of the minimum dimensions you will require.

Safe Testing Standards

Safes that comply with the standards below are preferred or stipulated by all recognised Insurers.

Cash Safes – adhere to recognised testing standards, such as the Association of Burglary Insurance Surveyors Ltd (A.B.I.S) or the more recent European grading system.

S1 EN14450 - 2K cash rating

S2 EN14450 - 4K Cash rating

European Ratings:-

Fire Protection Safes – We recommend safes and cabinets that comply with European or American testing standards, predominantly being:-

UL (American standards)                 NT (Swedish standards)

Cash rating – this is the overnight cash rating given by the manufacturer (i.e. it is their view on what cover an insurer is likely to give).

Valuables cover - as a guide, insurers typically give up to 10 times (for the residential market) the cash rating for valuables, for instance, a 2K cash rating will give up to 20K for valuables (Check with your insurer).

Euro-Grade - This system was devised by the insurance industry to give rating consistency Europe-wide. Where a safe has a Euro–grade insurers would give cover equal to the European rating.