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You don’t want to screw around much when you’re buying a new gun safe. I suggest investing the same amount of effort and research into buying a new safe as you do when you’re car shopping. It may sound a little silly, but you could be spending several thousand dollars on your investment, and unlike in the case of an automobile, a smart safe purchase will last you a lifetime.
Unless you’ve been in the business, and know exactly what to look for, researching your potential purchase can be extremely difficult. You (and me both) need some professional help. Luckily, there’s plenty of it to go around. UL, an international product testing company that I’ve praised before, is the leading authority on safe security and fire protection. Their testing is brutal, and most importantly, consistent and totally unbiased. If the unit you’re looking at has the UL mark of approval, you’re likely looking in the right direction.
Unfortunately, finding helpful information on their site can be a little frustrating, particularly if you lack experience querying databases. They have literally millions of pages of data on thousands upon thousands of products that they’ve tested (everything from food services to biohazard storage), and walking into this kind of information blindly can be a bit overwhelming.
Luckily, the good folks at UL were kind enough to create a rather intuitive guide to address the process which can be found here: UL Online Certifications Database Quick Guide. Take a little bit of time to get acquainted with it – getting the right knowledge can save you a ton of money and heartache – they make it easy to do your homework.
Of course, I’ve taken the liberty of extracting a bit of information on their residential security containers, safes, and safe locks for you and added them below. Many of the safes listed below aren’t “gun safes” per se (most of those are found in the residential security containers group), however, if converted, they’d more than fit the bill (1″ steel always fits the bill :). Have a look, and let me know if you have any questions:
Safes:
Residential Security Containers
Tool Resistant safe Class TL-15
Tool Resistant TL-15×6 (15 minutes on all sides)
Tool and Torch Resistant TRTL-30
Locks:
See General Information for Safes and Chests
[Safes and Chests] Tool-resistant Safes, Class TL-15
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical and electrical tools, or any combination thereof. They may be provided with an opening in the body for connection to the chute of a night depository.
Performance tests have been conducted against the door and front face.
The body is constructed of 1 in.-thick steel having a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi, or is of equivalent construction.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs, or are equipped with suitable anchors and instructions for anchoring in larger safes, in concrete blocks, or to the premises in which the safe is to be located.
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ACCESS SECURITY PRODUCTS LTD |
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ALPHA INDUSTRIES LTD |
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AMERICAN SECURITY PRODUCTS CO |
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BLUE DOT SAFES |
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BUMIL SAFE MFG CO LTD |
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COLLIER SAFE CO INC |
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DIEBOLD INC |
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FIREKING INTERNATIONAL INC |
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FORTIS SECURITY PRODUCTS L L C |
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GARY SAFE INTERNATIONAL, DIV OF NKL |
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HAMILTON SAFE CO |
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ISM SAFES & CASTING LTD |
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MGM SECURITY GROUP INC |
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MUTUAL SAFE CO INC |
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NATIONAL SAFE CO OF AMERICA INC |
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SECURIFORT INC |
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SECURITY SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT CORP |
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SEGURIDAD Y MANUTENCION S A |
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SHANGHAI DIEBOLD SECURITY EQUIPMENT |
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SAFE CO |
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SURIMAX CIA LTDA |
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VAULT STRUCTURES INC |
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WILLIAMSON SAFE INC |
[Safes and Chests] Tool-resistant Safes, Class TL-15X6
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical and electrical tools, or any combination thereof. They may be provided with an opening in the body for connection to the chute of a night depository.
Performance tests have been conducted against the entire unit.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs, or are equipped with suitable anchors and instructions for anchoring in larger safes, in concrete blocks, or to the premises in which the safe is to be located.
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MUTUAL SAFE CO INC |
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SEGURIDAD Y MANUTENCION S A |
[Safes and Chests] Tool-resistant Safes, Class TL-30
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical and electrical tools, or any combination thereof. They may be provided with an opening in the body for connection to the chute of a night depository.
Performance tests have been conducted against the door and front face.
The body is constructed of 1 in.-thick steel having a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi, or is of equivalent construction.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs, or are equipped with suitable anchors and instructions for anchoring in larger safes, in concrete blocks, or to the premises in which the safe is to be located.
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2000007 ONTARIO INC |
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ACCESS SECURITY PRODUCTS LTD |
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AMERICAN SECURITY PRODUCTS CO |
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BLUE DOT SAFES |
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COLLIER SAFE CO INC |
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DIEBOLD INC |
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FIREKING INTERNATIONAL INC |
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FORTIS SECURITY PRODUCTS L L C |
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GARY SAFE INTERNATIONAL, DIV OF NKL |
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GODREJ & BOYCE MFG CO LTD |
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HAMILTON SAFE CO |
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HAYMAN SAFE CO INC |
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ISM SAFES & CASTING LTD |
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MGM SECURITY GROUP INC |
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NATIONAL SAFE CO OF AMERICA INC |
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ORIGINAL SAFE & VAULT CORP |
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SECURIFORT INC |
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SECURITY SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT CORP |
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SEGURIDAD Y MANUTENCION S A |
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SHANGHAI DIEBOLD SECURITY EQUIPMENT |
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SURIMAX CIA LTDA |
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TSS LTD |
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VAULT STRUCTURES INC |
[Safes and Chests] Tool-resistant Safes, Class TL-30X6
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical and electrical tools, or any combination thereof. They may be provided with an opening in the body for connection to the chute of a night depository.
Performance tests have been conducted against the entire unit.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs, or are equipped with suitable anchors and instructions for anchoring in larger safes, in concrete blocks, or to the premises in which the safe is to be located.
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ACCESS SECURITY PRODUCTS LTD |
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HAMILTON SAFE CO |
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ISM SAFES & CASTING LTD |
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ORIGINAL SAFE & VAULT CORP |
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SECURIFORT INC |
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SEGURIDAD Y MANUTENCION S A |
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SHANGHAI DIEBOLD SECURITY EQUIPMENT |
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SHIN JIN SAFE-TECH CO LTD |
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SURIMAX CIA LTDA |
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TSS LTD |
[Safes and Chests] Torch- and Tool-resistant Safes, Class TRTL-30 GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical tools, electrical tools, cutting torches, or any combination of these means .
Performance tests have been conducted against the door and front face.
The body is constructed of 1 in.-thick steel, having a minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi, encased in not less than 3 in. of reinforced concrete or in a larger safe or other container, or is of equivalent construction.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs.
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HAMILTON SAFE CO |
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MGM SECURITY GROUP INC |
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SECURIFORT INC |
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SIN SUNG SAFE MFG CO |
[Safes and Chests] Torch- and Tool-resistant Safes, Class TRTL-15X6
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical tools and cutting torches.
Performance tests have been conducted against the entire unit.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs.
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ACCESS SECURITY PRODUCTS LTD |
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GODREJ & BOYCE MFG CO LTD |
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SEGURIDAD Y MANUTENCION S A |
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SIN SUNG SAFE MFG CO |
[Safes and Chests] Torch- and Tool-resistant Safes, Class TRTL-30X6
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical tools, electrical tools, cutting torches, or any combination of these means .
Performance tests have been conducted against the entire unit.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs.
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ACCESS SECURITY PRODUCTS LTD |
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HAMILTON SAFE CO |
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ISM SAFES & CASTING LTD |
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MGM SECURITY GROUP INC |
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SECURIFORT INC |
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SURIMAX CIA LTDA |
[Safes and Chests] Torch- and Tool-resistant Safes, Class TRTL-60X6
GENERAL
This category covers combination-locked steel chests and safes designed to offer protection against entry by common mechanical tools, electrical tools, cutting torches, or any combination of these means .
Performance tests have been conducted against the entire unit.
These safes weigh at least 750 lbs.
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ISM SAFES & CASTING LTD |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information, see Security Equipment (ALOV).
REQUIREMENTS
The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is ANSI/UL 687, “Burglary-Resistant Safes.”
[Locks] Combination Locks
See General Information for Combination Locks
GENERAL
This category covers combination locks intended for attachment to doors of safes, chests, vaults and the like, to provide a means of locking the boltwork against unauthorized opening.
Group 1 locks have 20 working hours of resistance to expert or professional manipulation.
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KABA MAS L L C |
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SARGENT & GREENLEAF INC |
[Locks] (Combination Locks) Combination Locks, Group 1R
GENERAL
This category covers combination locks intended for attachment to doors of safes, chests, vaults and the like, to provide a means of locking the boltwork against unauthorized opening.
Group 1R locks have 20 working hours of resistance to expert or professional manipulation and 20 hours of resistance to a radiological attack.
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KABA MAS L L C |
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SARGENT & GREENLEAF INC |
[Locks] (Combination Locks) Combination Locks, Group 2
GENERAL
This category covers combination locks intended for attachment to doors of safes, chests, vaults and the like, to provide a means of locking the boltwork against unauthorized opening.
Group 2 locks have a moderate degree of resistance to unauthorized opening.
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CLAVES LAGARD |
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JINZHE TECHNOLOGY (HONGKONG) LTD CO |
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LA GARD SECURITY PRODUCTS |
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LAGARD |
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MICHAEL J WALSH & ASSOCIATES, DBA |
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SARGENT & GREENLEAF INC |
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SHERNI ENTERPRISES |
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YIH FUH SAFE CO LTD |
[Locks] (Combination Locks) Combination Locks, Group 2M
GENERAL
This category covers combination locks intended for attachment to doors of safes, chests, vaults and the like, to provide a means of locking the boltwork against unauthorized opening.
Group 2M locks have two working hours of resistance to expert or professional manipulation.
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KABA MAS L L C |
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LOCK TECHNOLOGY BV |
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SARGENT & GREENLEAF INC |
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TMI CORP |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information, see Combination Locks (OXJT) and Security Equipment (ALOV).
REQUIREMENTS
The basic standard used to investigate products in this category is ANSI/UL 768, “Combination Locks.”
[Locks] High-security Electronic Locks
USE
This category covers high-security electronic locks intended for use on chests, safes and vault doors to provide a means of locking the bolt work against unauthorized opening.
High-security electronic locks do not necessarily have built-in protection against entry by force; such protection depends largely on the construction of the safe or vault on which the lock is installed.
High-security electronic locks are provided with means for changing the code for opening the lock. It is important that the locks be set on a code of numbers individual to each safe rather than on a common factory setting.
LOCK TYPES
High-security electronic locks are classified as Type 1, Type 1F or Type 2, according to the degree of protection afforded against manipulation or surreptitious entry, and uses for which judged suitable as follows:
Type 1 high-security electronic looks are highly resistant to expert or professional manipulation or surreptitious attacks. Type 1 locks are considered suitable for use on burglary-resisting safes and chests, such as Class TRTL-15X6, -30, -30X6, -60X6, TXTL-60X6, and on vaults.
Type 1F high-security electronic locks afford the same protection against expert or professional manipulation or surreptitious entry as a Type 1 lock and, in addition, have been investigated in accordance with U.S. Federal Specification FF-L-2740, except for security tests. Type 1F locks are considered suitable for use on safes, security files and vaults where the highest degree of protection is required.
Type 2 high-security electronic locks are considered suitable for use on tool-resistant safes, Class TL-15, -15X6, -30 and 30X6, insulated record containers, and light vault doors.
[Locks] (High-security Electronic Locks) High-security Electronic Locks, Type 1
USE
This category covers Type 1 high-security electronic locks that are highly resistant to expert or professional manipulation or surreptitious attacks.
Type 1 locks are considered suitable for use on burglary-resistant safes and chests, such as Class TRTL-15X6, -30, -30X6, -60X6, TXTL-60X6, and on vaults.
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AMERICAN SECURITY PRODUCTS CO |
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INTERGARD DO BRASIL LTDA |
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KABA MAS L L C |
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LA GARD DO BRASIL LTDA |
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LOCK TECHNOLOGY BV |
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MILOCOR INC |
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NKL INDUSTRIES LTD |
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SARGENT & GREENLEAF INC |
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SECURAM SYSTEMS INC |
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STB MICROTECHNIQUES SA |
The Security Listing Mark of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. on the product is the only method provided by UL to identify products manufactured under its Listing and Follow-Up Service. The Security Listing Mark for these products includes the UL symbol with the word “SECURITY” above the UL symbol and the word “LISTED” below the UL symbol (as illustrated in the Introduction of this Directory), a control number, and the product name “Tool-resistant Safe, TL-15 Burglary.”
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UL, in performing its functions in accordance with its objectives, does not assume or undertake to discharge any responsibility of the manufacturer or any other party. UL shall not incur any obligation or liability for any loss, expense or damages, including incidental or consequential damages, arising out of or in connection with the use, interpretation of, or reliance upon this Guide Information.
Reprinted from the Online Certifications Directory with permission from Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Copyright © 2010 Underwriters Laboratories Inc.®
Nice Article!!Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading!