The Best High Security Safes

Theft-Resistant Safes

• Burglary-resistant safes carry a ratings lexicon simple to understand. Developed by U.L. (Underwriters Laboratories), these classifications utilize TL, TRTL and TXTL prefixes with an accompanying number, such as 15, 30 or 60. TL stands for "tool resistant," TR is "torch resistant," TRTL means "tool and torch resistant" and TXTL indicates that the safe is resistant to tools, torches and explosives. The number, such as 60, represents the length of time in minutes that the safe can resist the indicated intrusion. For example, a safe with a rating of TRTL-30 can resist safe-cracking tools and blow-torch tools for at least 30 minutes. The U.L. anti-theft classifications are completely independent of manufacturer specifications and are used by insurance carriers to determine rates for homeowners and business owners. These ratings refer to combination-lock safes. "Tools" used by U.L. technicians in their testing include hand and picking tools, mechanical and portable electric tools, carbide drills, power saws, abrasive cutting wheels, impact tools, grinding points and pressure-applying devices. Torches include oxygen and fuel, gas-cutting and welding torches. Nitroglycerin and other high explosives are used to test TXTL-60 safes, which provide the highest level of security available among antitheft safes. Most homes don't require the attributes of a TXTL-60 safe or its price.

Fire-Resistant Safes

• U.L has a different rating system for fire-resistant safes, which also contain many anti-theft characteristics. According to Underwriters Laboratories, "Class 350 safes protect paper documents, Class 150 safes protect magnetic tape and photographic film, while Class 125 safes protect floppy disks. In addition to the Class Rating, safes obtain an hourly rating for fire resistance --- anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours." A Class 350 four-hour fire-rated safe offers the best fire resistance available. In testing, a safe is heated for four hours at an exterior temperature of 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit, and must maintain an interior temperature of less than 300 degrees F (most paper combusts at 425 degrees F). U.L. also performs impact tests on fire-resistant safes, simulating a safe plunging multiple stories due to a fire-weakened structure. The safe is heated to 2,000 degrees F, hoisted three floors, then dropped onto a pile of rubble. The safe cannot open, temperatures inside can't rise above 300 degrees F, and papers inside the safe must be readable for the safe to pass the test.

Data Safes

• Data safes are built to resist theft and inside temperatures to an even greater degree than standard fire-resistant safes. Data safes protect disks, tapes, CDs, DVDs, microfilm, microfiche and other media. Most electronic data is destroyed at temperatures over 150 degrees F, making standard fire-resistant safes unfit for the job. Specially designed data-storage safes maintain internal temperatures as low 125 degrees F during fire exposure of up to three hours to protect electronic and magnetic data. Data safes also guard against high humidity and electro-magnetic contamination. Thicker walls built with steel and composite materials, such as clay, porcelain and Kevlar --- as well as specially designed interiors for data storage --- allow data safes to exceed all fire-resistance tests. Data safes, though generally more expensive than anti-theft and fire-resistant safes, are an ideal choice for many homes and businesses where fire, water and environmental risks are prevalent. Like any safe, data safes come in a variety of models, including stand-alone versions, wall safes and floor safes.