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How to choose a good safe? A guide to perfect security 🛡️

Opening safes

Do you have valuables, important documents, family jewellery or cash that you need to protect? A quality safe is an essential investment in protecting your assets. But not all safes are the same! Choosing the right one means understanding security ratings and types. We at Fast Locksmith can advise you on how to do just that!

 

1. Two pillars of security: burglary and fire resistance

 

Safes are primarily classified according to what they are designed to protect against. A quality safe should ideally be resistant to both threats.

 

A. Burglar resistance (Security Classes)

 

This is the most important factor. European standard EN 1143-1 defines security classes (0 to VI), which indicate how long and with what tools a thief can overcome the safe.

Class (EN 1143-1) Designed for storage Recommendations of insurance companies (indicative)
Class 0 Common documents, small valuables. Cash protection up to approx. 150 000 CZK.
Class I Jewelry, weapons, precious metals. Basic recommendations for household - cash up to approx. CZK 250 000.
Class II High protection for valuable collections and higher cash. Cash up to approx. 400 000 CZK.
Class III and above High-risk items, companies, banks. Usually unnecessarily robust and expensive for home use.

The Fast Locksmith Council: For home use we recommend at least Class I. Before buying, check with your insurance company the maximum amount they will insure for the class of safe!

 

B. Resistance to fire (Fire Classes)

 

Fire classes are governed by the standard EN 1047-1 (or UL) and determine how long the vault will maintain the internal temperature below the critical limit (e.g. 175°C for paper or 50°C for data media).

  • P60 / P120: Resistance 60 or 120 minutes. Ideal for paper documents.
  • DISK 60 / 120: Resistance to data carriers (CDs, flash drives), which are more sensitive to heat.

 

2. Which type of safe is ideal for you?

 

The type of safe depends on what you want to protect and where.

 

a) Furniture safe

 

  • Characteristics: Lighter, designed to be built into furniture or attached to the wall/floor.
  • Uses: Documents, small jewelry, cash.
  • Important: It must always be professionally anchored! A safe that is not anchored can easily be taken away by a thief with all its contents.

 

b) Wall safe (Locking)

 

  • Characteristics: The safe will brick right into the wall. Only the faceplate is visible.
  • Uses: Maximum discretion and hard to carry off.
  • Important: Requires structural modifications and sufficient wall depth.

 

c) Gun safe

 

  • Characteristics: Specially designed to store weapons and ammunition. Must comply with Czech laws on weapons and ammunition (usually Class S1, S2, or 0).
  • Uses: Mandatory for every holder of a firearms licence.

 

3. Locking Mechanisms: Convenience versus Safety

 

Choose the type of lock that suits you, but always with safety in mind.

  • The key lock: Reliable, but you have to keep the key safe.
  • Electronic lock: Quick access by code. Some types offer a time delay or emergency code.
  • Mechanical combination lock: Very reliable and does not require batteries, but access is slower (requires precise turning of the wheel).

The Council of the Locksmith: If your safe breaks down or you lose your key, we're here for you around the clock! 723 965 990

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