Burglary Resistance Classes and Test Methods for Safes and Vaults

The effective insurance coverage may vary depending on the location of the building, the nature of the items stored and the presence of additional security measures. For a definitive determination, the insurer must always be consulted, and coverage may be increased if extra protection is provided. It is important to note that the amounts for cash and for valuables cannot be added together: for example, a Grade 3 safe is suitable for a maximum of €45,000 in cash or €90,000 in valuables.

The protection level of a safe is determined not only by its construction and resistance grade (EN 1143-1 or EN 14550), but also by the quality of the high security lock. The European standard EN 1300 assesses the resistance of high security locks and classifies them into four classes (A, B, C and D) according to their resistance against manipulation and destructive attacks. Key locks, mechanical combination locks, and electronic code locks can all be EN 1300 certified.

Each safe grade requires a minimum lock class:

• EN 14550 (S1–S2) and EN 1143-1 Grade 0–2: at least 1× Class A
• EN 1143-1 Grade 3: at least 1× Class B
• EN 1143-1 Grade 4–5: at least 2× Class B
• EN 1143-1 Grade 6–10: at least 2× Class C
• EN 1143-1 Grade 11–12: 3× Class C or 2× Class D
• EN 1143-1 Grade 13: at least 2× Class D

The choice of a high security lock therefore depends not only on ease of use and desired features (such as electronic control, multiple user codes or integration with an alarm system), but also on the required lock class corresponding to the safe grade.

In addition to standard burglary resistance, some safes are equipped with extra protection features. These provide additional resistance against specific attack methods and are marked on the certification:

• Explosion Protection (EX): in this test, an explosive charge is detonated inside the safe. After the explosion, the safe must still maintain a defined level of burglary resistance. Safes that pass this test are labelled with EX added to their grade.
• Core Drilling Protection (CD): an extra armour layer designed to resist diamond-tipped drilling and milling tools. Safes equipped with this feature are labelled with CD in their grade.
• Planar Protection: a fully integrated network of alarm wiring within the body of the safe, enabling direct connection to an alarm system.

These additional protections significantly increase resistance and are particularly relevant in high-risk environments or where specialised attack methods are expected.

The European standard EN 1143-2 has been specifically developed for deposit safes and night safes.

A deposit safe is a safe in which cash or valuables can be deposited through a deposit opening, without having to open the safe itself.

The standard describes the requirements, classification and test methods for resistance to burglary, but it also tests the deposit mechanism. An important aspect is that deposited goods or valuables cannot be retrieved or accessed again through the deposit opening.

As with EN 1143-1, the same resistance grades are applied, with a corresponding indicative insurable value. In practice, the highest certified deposit safes reach Grade V (5).

Burglary-resistant safes and vaults are tested by independent, accredited laboratories in accordance with European standards such as EN 1143-1, EN 1143-2 and EN 14450. These laboratories work closely together, sharing experience and addressing new threats. This cooperation improves the overall quality of testing and makes it easier to add new requirements to existing standards. For example, a new class for ATMs (automated teller machines) was developed in a short time to respond to frequent gas explosion attacks.

Preparation

Before testing, the manufacturing plans of the safe are reviewed. Any comments are communicated to the manufacturer, who can revise the design. Once approved, the manufacturer must supply two units for testing.

Test Procedure

The test consists of creating two openings:

• a partial access of approx. 100 x 100 mm,
• a full access, providing complete entry.

Each resistance class corresponds to a specific number of Resistance Units (RU). For example, a Grade 3 safe must withstand 80 RU for partial access and 120 RU for full access.

Each tool has a fixed tool coefficient, which is factored into a formula to calculate how long it may be applied. Only the effective contact time is counted, and testers are free to use as many tools as they deem necessary. Testing always targets the weakest point of the safe, as identified from the manufacturing plans, and also verifies compliance with the approved design.

New Tool List T2

All testing is carried out with a standardised tool list. Recently, an updated version called the Tool List T2 has been introduced. When a safe is tested according to this stricter list, this is stated on the identification plate, for example Grade III T2.

Certification and Follow-Up

If the safe passes the test, it may be certified by an accredited body, typically the test laboratory itself or ECB·S. After certification, the manufacturer is subject to several unannounced inspections each year, and must comply with the ISO 9001 quality standard.

This process ensures that a safe certified according to EN 1143-1, EN 1143-2 or EN 14450 not only meets the laboratory criteria, but also continues to meet these requirements in production.

In addition to ECB·S-certified safes and strongboxes, there are also products on the market carrying certificates issued by organisations that are not accredited according to the international standard ISO/IEC 17065 and/or not recognised by ECB·S.

Such certificates are not equivalent to an ECB·S certification according to the European standard EN 1143-1 and in practice often provide a lower level of burglary resistance.

In principle, any testing organisation can certify a safe according to EN 1143-1. In practice, however, this requires specialised expertise, advanced testing facilities and continuous exchange of knowledge between testing laboratories. Without this experience and cooperation, it is difficult to apply the standard in a consistent and reliable manner.

Experience shows that safes tested by non-recognised or insufficiently accredited laboratories frequently fail to meet the required standards. In several cases, safes advertised with a high grade were later retested by recognised testing institutes and were found to achieve a significantly lower classification.

Practical experience also confirms this issue. Atelier Boonen encountered a safe in the Antwerp diamond district labelled as Grade VI. Despite its heavy weight and thick concrete-filled walls, the safe could be opened in less than 30 minutes. Essential security elements were missing: there was insufficient drill protection, the relocker could easily be bypassed, and the installed locks did not meet the requirements for a Grade VI safe.

These examples demonstrate that a heavy or solid-looking safe does not necessarily guarantee genuine burglary resistance.

Recognised testing and certification bodies

We strongly recommend choosing only safes and strongboxes that have been tested and certified by recognised testing and certification bodies. This provides the best assurance of a consistent and reliable level of protection according to the European standard EN 1143-1.

Certificates issued by these organisations are also widely recognised by insurance companies, meaning that the stated resistance grade can be used as a reliable reference in practice.

Internationally recognised testing and certification bodies include:

ECB·S – European Certification Body
https://www.ecb-s.com

VdS Schadenverhütung (Germany)
https://vds.de

SBSC – Swedish Brand & Safety Certification (Sweden)
https://www.sbsc.se

CNPP Certification (France) – including the A2P label
https://www.cnpp.com

Istituto Giordano (Italy)
https://www.giordano.it

These organisations operate according to international accreditation rules such as ISO/IEC 17065 for product certification.