Our Engineers
Our Engineers are PSA certified in implementing best practices following an accredited framework.
- Standardised Security Approach: Ensures consistency and reduces the risk of vulnerabilities.
- Reduced Costs and Development Time: Avoid rework and delays often associated with ad-hoc security implementations.
- Alignment with Industry Standards: Adheres to major industry and government standards, making products more compliant with regulations.
- Measurable Security: Providing a quantifiable measure of the security posture of the developed product through independent testing
Our Safes & Vaults Certifications
Burglary Resistance
European Standard EN 1143-1
EN 1143-1 is a European Norm (normative standard) that establishes a standardized approach to testing, classifying, and setting requirements for the burglary resistance of secure storage units. This standard provides manufacturers with a framework to ensure their products meet specific security benchmarks.
The scope of EN 1143-1 encompasses a variety of secure storage units, including:
- Freestanding safes
- Integrated safes (both floor and wall mounted)
- ATM safes and their corresponding bases
- Strongroom doors and their associated strongrooms (with or without doors)
EN 1143-1 mandates a series of tests designed to simulate real-world burglary attempts. These tests incorporate tools, explosives, and even drilling techniques to meticulously evaluate the structural integrity of the safe or strongroom. Based on the performance during these tests, a security rating is assigned. The standard delineates various security grades, with Grade 0 signifying the lowest level of security and Grade 13 representing the most formidable, typically used for vault doors.
In essence, EN 1143-1 serves as a cornerstone for ensuring consistency and efficacy in the production and implementation of secure storage solutions within the European market.
A Benchmark for Insurers
The importance of this safe resistance classification system cannot be overstated. Insurance companies often require safes to be certified to a specific grade corresponding to the value of the insured contents. In other words, if the safe doesn't meet the insurer's required grade, full reimbursement for stolen valuables might be jeopardized.
Fire Resistance
Fire Resistance Classifications:
Fire resistance standards categorize protected objects into two primary groups:
- Paper Documents: These require protection against temperatures exceeding 170°C (338°F) for a specified duration.
- Digital Media: This category encompasses floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, and computer hardware – all susceptible to degradation at temperatures as low as 50°C (122°F). Furthermore, high relative humidity exceeding 85% can be detrimental to their functionality.
European Fire Resistance Standards:
- EN 15659: This standard focuses solely on the protection of paper documents. Safes or cabinets meeting this standard offer limited fire resistance and are intended for installation in controlled environments.
- EN 1047-1: This is a more stringent standard designed to ensure comprehensive protection against a multitude of fire-related risks, including: fire intrusion into a room, building collapse due to fire, and sustained high temperatures following a fire event. EN 1047-1 guarantees a minimum level of fire resistance for both paper documents and digital media.
ECB-S Certification:
Our products undergo the most rigorous testing available, achieving ECB-S certification by the European Certification Body - Security Systems. To ensure the highest level of security, we have integrated a Fichet Bauche laboratory within our own facility. This allows us to conduct in-house testing under conditions exceeding even the strict requirements of the certifying bodies, pushing the boundaries of protection even further.
Resistance level for paper documents
Resistance level for digital media
Blast Resistance
Explosives Certifcation
High-security safes with the "explosive resistance" certification offer a critical additional layer of protection. This certification signifies that the safe can withstand a forceful explosive attack while still maintaining its burglary resistance level. Essentially, the "EX" marking on the identification plate confirms you possess one of the most secure and resilient products available.
Certified safes are readily identifiable by engraved labels affixed to a metal plate prominently displayed on the safe itself. In our case, this label would bear the A2P designation.
Certifying Bodies
A2P Security Rating
Established in 1985, the A2P certification (French: Assurance Niveau de Protection) is awarded by the CNPP (National Center for Prevention and Protection) in France. This prestigious designation signifies that security equipment has undergone rigorous testing to evaluate its burglary resistance. In addition to product testing, the A2P certification process involves an audit of the equipment's manufacturing site. This comprehensive approach ensures that A2P-certified products are not only effective deterrents against burglary attempts but are also manufactured according to controlled and well-defined processes. By choosing A2P-certified equipment, you gain the confidence of knowing you are investing in a high-quality security solution.
European Certification Body - Security
The European Certification Body - Security Systems (ECB-S) is a renowned German institute dedicated to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of security products. Earning ECB-S certification signifies that a product, such as a safe, fireproof cabinet, secure room, or security lock, has undergone rigorous testing and met strict European standards. This certification serves as a reliable guarantee of a product's ability to safeguard valuables against burglary and fire damage.
ECB-S certified products are easily identifiable by engraved labels affixed to a metal plate prominently displayed on the product itself. In the case of our safes, this metal plate can be found located conveniently inside the door for easy verification.
Our Building Certifications
EN 356 European Standard for Glass in Building
Security Glazing Certification
Within Europe, EN 356 is the standard for security glazing in buildings. This standard ensures glazing materials, like laminated glass or security films, can resist break-in attempts. Through testing that simulates real-world attacks, EN 356 assigns a resistance class to each glazing option. This classification system helps architects and building owners choose the appropriate level of security for their projects. Higher resistance classes indicate greater protection against forced entry. By adhering to EN 356, manufacturers produce secure glazing, and building professionals can make informed security decisions.
EN 1627-30 European Standard for Burglar-Proof Windows
Burglar Resistance Certification for Doors & Windows
EN 1627-30, a European standard, plays a critical role in classifying the burglar resistance of windows and doors. It encompasses a four-part testing process that meticulously evaluates how well these building components withstand break-in attempts.
The standard delves into the materials and construction of windows and doors used for testing purposes (EN 1627). Additionally, it outlines two distinct testing methodologies: static and dynamic (EN 1628 & EN 1629). Static testing involves applying constant pressure or load to assess the structural resilience of the window or door. In contrast, dynamic testing methods simulate forceful impacts to evaluate how well these components resist forceful attacks.
Finally, EN 1630 incorporates a manual testing element. This involves using a standardized toolkit to simulate how a burglar might attempt to break into a building through a window or door. By combining these various testing methods, EN 1627-30 provides a comprehensive picture of a window or door's resistance to burglary attempts.
EN 1627:2011 European Standard for Burglar Resistance Testing
Burglar Resistance Testing Certification
EN 1627: 2011 stands as a cornerstone for ensuring security in European buildings. This European standard establishes a standardized approach for evaluating and classifying the burglar resistance of various building elements that form the building envelope.
The standard's reach extends to a wide range of elements commonly found in building exteriors, including:
- Pedestrian doorsets
- Windows
- Curtain walling (non-structural external wall systems)
- Grilles
- Shutters
- Even fixed constructions like glass panels
While electronic security measures like alarms fall outside its purview, EN 1627: 2011 focuses squarely on the physical resistance of these elements against burglary attempts.
To achieve this, the standard outlines a series of tests that meticulously simulate real-world burglary scenarios. These tests employ tools and techniques that potential burglars might use, offering a realistic assessment of an element's ability to withstand forced entry.
Following this rigorous testing process, building elements are assigned a specific resistance class (RC). This classification system serves as a clear and concise method for communicating the level of burglar resistance offered by a particular product. Higher RC ratings correspond to greater strength and increased resistance to break-in attempts.
In essence, EN 1627: 2011 provides a valuable toolset for various stakeholders in the building industry. Manufacturers can leverage this standard to produce building elements that meet specific security needs. Specifiers and building owners, on the other hand, can utilize the RC classification system to select appropriate elements for their projects, ensuring the desired level of protection against burglary.
