Grade 1 safes and fire safes | EN 1143-1 burglary and fire resistant

Grade 1 safes and fire safes are tested and certified in accordance with the European standard EN 1143-1 and are intended for applications with a low risk profile. They are suitable for the secure storage of limited values and documents in situations where a basic level of burglary resistance is sufficient, with or without additional fire protection.

The EN 1143-1 standard evaluates the resistance of safes to controlled burglary attacks using mechanical hand tools, such as hammers, chisels and crowbars, as well as resistance to drilling. These tests are carried out according to defined and reproducible test methods by independent certification bodies, including ECB-S.

EN 1143-1 Grade 1 is applied in both private and professional environments where no increased threat level is present, but where standards-compliant security and insurability are still required. The classification provides an objective basis for insurance coverage, with the final conditions always determined by the insurer. Atelier Boonen advises customers throughout Belgium in selecting an appropriate solution.

Within EN 1143-1, burglary resistance is expressed in Resistance Units (RU). For Grade 1, the resistance level is 30 RU for partial access and 50 RU for full access.
Partial access refers to the creation of a limited opening, while full access means complete access to the contents, for example by opening the door or creating a larger opening.

Grade 1 safes that are exclusively tested for burglary resistance in accordance with EN 1143-1 are used in situations where a certified basic level of burglary protection is sufficient and no additional fire resistance performance is required. This type of safe is often selected when compactness and ease of integration are more important than combined protection.

As no fire-resistant construction is required for these versions, Grade 1 safes can be designed with a lightweight and efficient construction. Slimmer walls and a relatively thin door make it possible to integrate the safe discreetly into furniture or existing cabinets, without compromising compliance with the burglary resistance requirements of EN 1143-1.

A typical example is the Chubbsafes Consul, an EN 1143-1 Grade 1 certified safe featuring a compact design and a functional door construction. Thanks to its limited external dimensions, this safe is particularly suitable for discreet installation, such as integration into a cabinet or piece of furniture, while fully meeting the requirements of resistance grade I.

Within the range of fire- and burglary-resistant Grade 1 safes, the Chubbsafes DuoGuard GI is a well-established solution for applications where fire protection is a primary consideration, combined with a certified basic level of burglary resistance in accordance with EN 1143-1.

The DuoGuard GI is burglary-resistant certified to EN 1143-1 Grade 1 and has also been fire tested according to the stringent EN 1047-1 standard, providing a tested fire protection of 60 minutes for paper. The fire test includes not only prolonged exposure to high temperatures, but also an impact and controlled cooling phase, simulating realistic fire scenarios, including structural stress and sudden temperature changes.

The EN 1047-1 standard is recognised as one of the most demanding European test methods for fire-resistant safes. Thanks to this test procedure, the internal temperature remains within strictly defined limits, ensuring the protection of paper documents throughout the full test duration.

The Chubbsafes DuoGuard GI range is available in various sizes and can be equipped with mechanical or electronic locks. The combination of high fire resistance for paper and a recognised burglary certification makes this safe a frequently selected solution in professional environments where the protection of important documents in the event of fire is essential.