Glossary

AiS approved safe – UK Association of Insurance Surveyors (AiS) give a stamp of approval for safes which they have gleaned suitable for the appropriate cash or fire rating (cover) given by the maker.

Cash Rating / Insurance Cover
Insurance cover signifies the safe’s security protection level and the maximum amount of money that an insurer will cover in the event of theft. This is often referred to as a safe’s cash rating.

Valuables Cover
Typically insurers give up to 10 times the cash rating for valuables. For example, a safe with a 4k cash rating would equate to 40k cover for valuables.

Security Safes (burglary resistant)
Designed and constructed with the primary purpose of protecting cash, important papers and valuables (such as jewellery) against theft (physical attack).

Fire Protection Safes
Safes/cabinets designed to protect items against fire damage. Standards vary according to items requiring protection. There are three distinct types (see below). This is because the temperature at which various items deteriorate differ:-

• Document tested - protects all paperwork from fire damage.
• Digital Media tested – protects documents, USB Sticks, external hard drives and CD /DVD’s.
• Magnetic Media tested - provides the highest level of fire protection. Protects documents and all media.

Testing Standards

Products are tested for security or fire protection at various levels and upon passing, the product is awarded the relevant grade/rating. Reputable Insurers will stipulate that Security Safes comply with the European grading system.

Euro-grade system (security testing)
System was devised by the insurance industry to give rating consistency across Europe.
When a safe has a Euro-grade rating, insurers will provide cover equal to the grade rating.

Euro certifications include EN 1143-1 (for safes), EN 14 450 (for secure safe cabinets) and EN 1047-1 (for data cabinets).

European grading (security) Ratings
S1 EN14450 = £2k S2 EN14450 = £4k Grade 0 = £6k Grade 1 = £10k Grade 2 = £17.5k Grade 3 = £35k Grade 4 = £60k Grade 5 = £100k Grade £6 = 150k

Fire testing Ratings
Safes/cabinets subjected to tests carried out within a controlled environment, for time periods of 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Tests include conditions such as Fire & Impact, Explosion etc.

• Document rated - tested to maintain an internal temperature below 177oC, the threshold at which paper burns.
• Digital media rated - tested to keep the internal temperature below 65°C, the threshold at which data media, CD / DVD’s corrupt.
• Magnetic rated - tested to keep the internal temperature below 52°C, the threshold at which tapes and films spoil.

For document protection, products as a minimum must have the following appropriate industry standard paper certificate. UL72-Class 350, ECB•S EN 1047-1 or NT Fire 017.

To fully protect data media, industry standards indicate that products should carry ECB•S EN 1047-1 or NT Fire 017 60/120 DIS.

Testing Authorities /laboratories (most recognised)
ECB.S Is the European Certification Board operates as accredited certification body for security and fire products 

European Fire & Security Group (EFSG) consists of a group of members who are established certification bodies
working together with associated testing laboratories.

U.L graded Underwriters Laboratories (U.L). An American independent product safety certification organisation. Safes/cabinets are graded for fire resistance.

NT Nordtest (NT) Scandinavian organisation which both tests and certifies fire resistant safes.

VdS - German testing laboratories assesses and tests safes

LPCB The Loss Prevention Certification Board assesses and tests safes to ensure that they meet quality standards set by a team of experts who include insurers, manufacturers and engineers.