What grade of safe do you need
A safe has two values that should not be confused: the burglary grade and the fire class. A shop can call a product “burglar-proof” or “fireproof” without naming any standard. Here every value comes from the certificate.
StartFour choices. Each one has its own page.
1
What you keep
Cash, documents, guns, or something else.
2
The grade
The burglary grade that fits that answer.
3
Fire
Paper, data, or no fire class.
4
Size
How many litres you need inside.
Two standards, two lines
The burglary grade says how well the safe resists a break-in: EN 14450 (levels S1 and S2) for secure cabinets and small safes, EN 1143-1 (grades 0 to XIII) for professional safes. The fire class says how long it protects against fire: for example EN 15659 LFS 30P, 30 minutes for paper. A burglary grade is not a fire class, and a fire class is not a burglary grade.
The basics
Certificates last five years and must be renewed. A model is certified to the standard in force in the year it was made. The safe’s label must carry the certification body, the standard number, the year, the serial number, the grade and the weight.
Browse by grade
- EN 14450 S1
- EN 14450 S2
- EN 1143-1 grade 0
- EN 1143-1 grade I
- EN 1143-1 grade II
- EN 1143-1 grade III
- EN 1143-1 grade IV
- EN 1143-1 grade V
- EN 1143-1 grade VI
- EN 1143-1 grade VII
- VDMA 24992 B
Frequently asked questions
What does S2 cover?
S2 is the higher level of EN 14450, the standard for secure safe cabinets and small safes for private use. ECB-S notes that these cabinets mainly resist attacks with hand tools.
How does S2 differ from grade I?
They are different standards. EN 1143-1 classifies true safes and also tests them with electric and thermal tools; EN 14450 sits below it. Grade I is therefore a higher class than S2.
Does “fireproof” in a listing mean there is a certificate?
No. What counts is the class printed on the certificate, for example EN 15659 LFS 30P or EN 1047-1 S 60 P. If the listing names no standard and class, we cannot say how much protection it gives.
What grade does a gun safe need?
It depends on the rule in your country. In Germany EN 1143-1 grade 0 and grade I count (§ 13 AWaffV). In Italy the law asks for firearms to be kept “with every diligence” and names no grade.