Burglary Safe Ratings Explained

The rating or classification of a safe indicates the degree of protection that a safe will provide in the case of fire or attempted burglary. Safes are labelled using two different methods: construction and performance.

Construction classification relates to burglar protection and is determined by the specifications of the safe. Performance ratings are determined by tests designed to replicate safes in fire and burglary situations.

The best known independent burglary and fire testing agency is United Laboratories (UL). UL is a global independent safety science company offering expertise across five key strategic businesses: Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services and Verification Services.

RSC Rated Burglary Safe TL-5 Rating:

Eagle SB01

This is a UL rated container that certifies the burglary safe is capable of withstanding a beating by one man wielding a hammer and small crowbar for up to five minutes.

Performance Requirements:

  • Shall resist at least 5 minutes of attack that would defeat its purpose.
  • Any disassembly of the protected property required to make it removable is to be included in the 5 minutes of attack test.
  • The tools used in the test are to include hammers, chisels, adjustable wrenches, pry bars, punches and screwdrivers. The hammers are not to exceed 3 pounds in head weight, and no tool is to exceed 18 inches in length.
  • The product under test is to be mounted securely in its intended position, and the attack is to be carried out by one operator.

U.L. TL-15 Rated Burglary Safe

Signifies a combination-locked safe designed to offer a limited degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical hand tools and any combination of these means.

Construction Requirements:

  • U.L. listed Group II, 1 or 1R combination lock.
  • 750 lbs. minimum or comes with instructions for anchoring in a larger safe, concrete blocks or on the premises where used.
  • Body walls of material equivalent to at least 1″ open hearth steel with a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
  • Walls fastened in a manner equivalent to continuous ¼” penetration weld of open hearth steel with a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 P.S.I.
  • One hole ¼” or less, to accommodate electrical conductors arranged to have no direct view of the door or locking mechanism.

Performance Requirements:

  • Successfully resist entry* for a net working time of 15 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills and pressure applying devices or mechanisms.

*Entry means opening the door or making a six square inch opening entirely through the door or front face.

U.L. TL-30 Rated Burglary Safe

Signifies a combination-locked safe designed to offer a moderate degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical hand tools and any combination of these means.

Construction Requirements:

  • Same as TL-15

Performance Requirements:

  • Successfully resist entry* for a net working time of 30 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electrical tools, grinding points, carbide drills and pressure applying devices or mechanisms, abrasive cutting wheels and power saws.

*Entry means opening the door or making a six square inch opening entirely through the door or front face.

U.L. TRTL-60 Rated Burglary Safe

Signifies a combination-drill-444514locked safe designed to offer a high degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical tools and cutting torches and any combination of these means. Has successfully resisted entry* for a net working time of 60 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills, pressure applying devices or mechanisms, abrasive cutting wheels, power saws, impact tools and oxy-fuel gas cutting or welding torch (test gas limited to 1000 cubic feet combined total oxygen and fuel gas).

U.L TXTL-60 Rated Burglary Safe

Signifies a combination-locked safe designed to offer a high degree of protection against attack by common mechanical and electrical tools and cutting tools and cutting torches, high explosives and any combination of these means. Has successfully resisted entry* for a net working time of 60 minutes when attacked with common hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills, pressure applying devices or mechanisms, abrasive cutting wheels, power saws, impact tools, and oxy-fuel gas cutting or welding torch, nitroglycerin or other high explosives equivalent to not more than 4 ounces of nitroglycerin in one charge (entire test must not use more explosive than that equivalent to 8 ounces of nitroglycerin).

B Rate:

The B rating is a non-standardized industry rating.  This means that the rating is not verified nor are there any formal written standards to which manufacturers must adhere.  In general, the industry recognises a B-rated safe as having a 3/16″ to 1/4″ thick steel body with a 1/2″ thick steel door.