Locks, Keys and Safes for Barns and Agricultural Out Buildings

Posted on: 2 July 2015

Your humble abode is supposed to be the safest place on the planet. So, having a home safe that safeguards your valuables only gives you better security and it will help you sleep well at night. Although there is a wide array of models available in the market that boasts of unparalleled protection, it is imperative that you know what to look for when opting for a home safe.

After all, the least you can do is invest time in knowing about safes that could potentially harbour your prized possessions:

Resistance to Fire

Before splurging on a home safe, you must be well aware of the safe's fire rating. The rating will give you a better indication on how long the safe can withstand raging flame. Your safe must facilitate a minimum of a one-hour fire rating.

Resistance to Theft

Burglars are ubiquitous and you can never forecast when they might target your household. Nonetheless, you can't rely on luck alone to be on the safe side. You can opt to purchase a safe with a strong cash rating. Cash rating is usually determined on how theft-resistant a particular safe is, the strength of the safe's walls and doors, the difficulty level of opening the lock mechanism.

Determine the Size of the Safe

You must already have a vague idea of what items to keep in the safe before making a purchase. This will help you determine the size of the safe and allow you to purchase a bigger safe that can accommodate future additions. It is not always advisable to opt for a larger safe. After all, the larger the safe, the harder it is to conceal.

Combination Lock or Key Lock?

Although this one is actually down to personal preference, and both do work well, it is far more convenient to possess a combination lock on the safe. It is because you can always lose your keys or misplace it, but you can easily note down your combinations in a different location.

Find Qualification Labels on the Safe

Insurance companies often instruct you to purchase a particular safe that meets the standard of the insurance industry's qualifications. Your insurance company may instruct you to purchase a safe with a TL-15, TL-30, or TL-30X6 rating; it all depends on the replacement value of your valuables.

The ratings also don't come easy as it is only provided to those safe manufacturers that strictly comply with the testing procedures and meet required standards. Although there are innumerable testing facilities, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is your safest bet. So, if you see their logo on the safe, you can be assured of a quality safe. Contact a company like AXCESS LOCKSMITHS to learn more.