Grade 2 safes and fire safes | EN 1143-1 burglary and fire resistant

For resistance grade II, the indicative insurable value is €25,000 in cash or €50,000 in valuables. This indication is based on standard storage conditions in an unattended and unsecured building. Where additional security measures are in place, the insurer may allow a higher level of coverage.

According to the standard, Grade 2 safes must be equipped with at least one lock certified to EN 1300, class A or higher. Depending on the model, a second lock can be added — a common combination pairs a key lock with an electronic or mechanical combination lock.

The EN 1143-1 standard applies exclusively to burglary resistance — fire resistance is not part of this standard. Grade 2 safes therefore only provide burglary protection as standard. For those also requiring fire protection, Grade 2 fire-resistant safes are available — Grade 2 allows compliance with the most stringent fire standards, such as EN 1047-1 with 120 minutes of protection for data carriers.

Grade 2 burglary- and fire-resistant safes according to EN 1143-1 offer a well-balanced combination of reliable burglary protection and high fire resistance. Compared to higher burglary-resistance grades, resistance grade II allows for a significantly higher level of fire protection, making this grade particularly attractive for users looking for a Grade 2 fire safe with extended fire resistance.

This difference is technically explained. In higher burglary-resistance grades (Grade 3 and above), very high-density materials are used, such as high-performance concrete and UHPC, combined with steel reinforcement and armour layers. These materials are essential to achieve a high level of burglary resistance in accordance with EN 1143-1, but they are less effective as thermal insulation and conduct heat more rapidly.

With fire safes up to EN 1143-1 Grade 2, the construction can be more strongly optimised for thermal insulation, making it possible to comply with stricter fire-resistance standards, such as EN 1047-1. This demanding standard allows fire protection levels of up to 120 minutes for paper and even 120 minutes for data media.

As a result, a Grade 2 fire-resistant safe represents an excellent compromise between high fire protection and reliable burglary resistance according to EN 1143-1. Grade 2 safes and fire safes are therefore particularly suitable for applications where the protection of documents and data in the event of fire is at least as important as protection against theft.