Vaults and Safes

Choosing a safe that works for you can be an arduous process. As you browse through different selections, you’ll notice that a good safe will carry a Fire Protection rating, Data protection rating or Security rating dependent on the type of safe.Stand alone units come in many different sizes and design but all basically fall into one of four main categories: Burglary Safes, Fire Safes, Burglary/Fire Safes, Data Safes.

Burglary Safe - is designed primarily to protect the contents against theft and will generally offer little or no protection against the damage of contents by fire or other risk.

Fire Safe - is basically designed to protect contents against fire damage and typically offer only a minimal level of security. Fire safes are tested and rated in respect of their performance in the event of a fire.

Fire/Burglary Safes - These are generally multi-purpose safes and offer good security against forced entry as well as protection from fire.

Data Safe - is similar to a fire safe but to be effective, must in the event of a fire, maintain a much lower internal temperature than a fire safe and also protect against other hazards such as high humidity, electro magnetic contamination, etc. Test ratings are applied in a similar way to those for fire safes however for a data safe, much more demanding.

I have a great video for those of you that are more visual. Video link.(Be sure to scoll down and look for the movie camera.  Here are some instructions on how to dial open a S & G Dial lock. 

Something to consider if you’re debating between purchasing a dial safe or a safe with a keypad.

Turn dial slowly and evenly.  Do not turn back to regain alignment if you rotate past

number.  If an error is made, re-dial entire combination.  Do not count turns. Count how many

times each number is aligned with the opening index (at the 12 o’clock position). Always view

the dial and ring straight on, not at an angle. To Open: (Refer to Figure A)

· Step 1: Turn dial left, aligning first number with the opening index the fourth time it

comes to the index.

· Step 2: Turn dial right, aligning second number with the opening index the third time it

comes to the index.

· Step 3: Turn dial left, aligning third number with the opening index the second time it

comes to the index.

· Step 4: Turn dial right until dial comes to a complete stop.

· Step 5: To relock and secure the combination lock, turn the dial to the left at least four

revolutions.