What Kind of Secure Storage System Will Work Best for Me?
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February 20, 2020
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June 8, 2020
What Kind of Secure Storage System Will Work Best for Me?
What is the difference between a safe and a vault?
Vaults and safes are used as forms of secure asset storage. Occasionally, these terms are used interchangeably, but there are unique differences between the two. Level of security, size, and insurance requirements are some of the main variations between safes and modular vault products.
In regard to the level of security, safes and vaults generally have a rating by either UL or GSA. These ratings indicate the integrity of electrical wiring and components as well as establish the burglary resistant ratings. These ratings are indicative of the time it takes to breach the safe or vault.
The main difference between a safe and a vault is the ability to walk into the interior of a vault and not a safe. In theory, a vault is a safe but a safe may not always be a vault. Generally, vaults are made of high-strength concrete accompanied by a torch and tool resistant door matching the class of the concrete panels. In the case of safes, construction is frequently dominated by steel and other metal components of a smaller scale.
For vaults, UL Class M represents ¼ hour of man-power attack, and UL Class 3 represents 2 hours of man-power attack. Each class has a different resistance to electric tools, cutting torches, or mechanical tools commonly used to damage a vault. Different industries and insurance companies may have requirements in terms of UL or GSA rating or class that must be followed to mitigate the risk of theft, burglary, or robbery.
Safes have a wider range of ratings
Safes come in a number of sizes with different ratings that are quite different from modular vaults. B-rate safes exhibit a 1/8” steel body and a lock but are not tested in order to acquire this rating. B/C-rated and C-rated safes are a step up from the B-rate, however still not required to undergo testing to obtain this rating. U.L Residential Security Container rating (RSC) is based on the resistance time of 5 minutes on all sides with a wide range of tools. TL-15, TL-30, TL-30-X6, and TRTL-30-X6 rated safes will be higher-end, larger, and will offer the most protection for safe options. Safes can be purchased with varying capacities from 4.5 cu.ft. to 38 cu.ft. to fit your personal or business’s storage needs.
What is wire mesh security caging and how can it help?
Security caging is wire mesh partitions that can be assembled in nearly any configuration to protect assets. Wire mesh partitions come in woven or welded styles and can be customized by gauge size, door type, and lock type. Wire mesh security caging can be designed to fit the needs of your space. Security caging can be configured as a five-sided cage or as a single partition to create greater function for a space. With lock options that can control and track access into these secure areas, internal shrinkage and theft are combatted. Wire mesh security caging can be used to create a secure storage space for equipment, machinery, tools, gear, weapons, jewelry, or other assets. Our team can also follow Division 10 specialties for contractors when ordering and installing 10 22 13 wire mesh partitions.
How do I know what solution is best for me?
Choosing between a safe, vault, or security caging may be a question you are struggling to answer. Depending on the space required to store all the required assets, a safe may not be able to accommodate all the contents. If you expect inventory or volume to increase of assets you are storing, selecting a vault or security caging over a safe may be beneficial in terms of space and cost-effectiveness in the long term. Security caging can be expanded and reconfigured as storage capacity and needs change over time, which allows for natural growth and shrinkage within a business’s inventory. However, modular vaults have greater security measures in place in comparison to security caging because of their man-power resistance that can slow down criminals enough for authorities to arrive.
If the number of assets you store is relatively stable and low volume, the purchase of a safe that sufficiently protects your valuable assets is a great option. With a plethora of options and sizes to choose from, International Vault can aid in your selection of the perfect safe for your residence or business. From jewelry to cash to family valuables, safes are a great option for smaller items and compact spaces.
Insurance occasionally requires specific criteria for sensitive assets. Cannabis, record storage, jewelry, and ammunition are a few examples that may need to meet standards in order to be fully compliant with an insurance policy. Understanding the scope of the items being stored, the volume of assets, the amount of space needed to store these items, and any potential insurance requirements that need to be met are all important concepts to know prior to purchasing a system. Modular vaults are often preferred over safes or security caging for storing high-value assets for cannabis facilities, extensive weapon storage, or casinos. Checking with your insurance provider is a great idea to ensure that any incidents will be covered.
There are many considerations you may have when choosing a secure storage solution for your business. Once you have an idea of how much secure storage space you need, what you will be storing, and if you have any external or internal requirements to meet, deciding what type of system will benefit you the most should be a breeze with our team.
