American Security Home Safe Names Explained

To those unfamiliar with the safe industry, the naming patterns of American Security home safes may seem random. In reality, there’s no universal naming standard. However, as experts in the field, we can assure you there’s a method behind the seemingly random. Let’s break it down.

The following explanation is for the:

• AMSEC BF1512

• AMSEC BF1716

• AMSEC BF2116

3 Components of Naming an American Security Home Safe

1. B-Classification Stands for Burglary Resistive

B stands for Burglary rated (B-Rate). This is an industry construction and performance rating that indicates the degree of protection the safe will provide during an attack. However, this is a very misunderstood term that can easily confuse consumers.

Within B-Rate safes there’s a wide range of protection levels. These American Security BF home safes are among the most secure B-Rated safes.

The body of the safes is 2-⅝” thick, consisting of ⅛” inner and outer steel plates and AMSEC’s proprietary fire resistant material. The door is 3-½” thick, consisting of ½” plate steel and AMSEC’s proprietary fire resistant material.

2. F Refers to the UL Class 350°F 60 Min. — 1,700°F Fire Rating

F stands for fire-rated. Fire ratings are arguably one of the most challenging things to compare when looking at different safes. Why? Because safe fire ratings aren’t regulated. Any manufacturer can slap any fire rating they want on any safe.

In short, fire ratings are hard to trust.

Why can you trust the fire rating on these American Security safes? Because the fire ratings were awarded by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), an independent third-party testing agency. With over 130 years of experience, UL’s rigorous and unbiased testing ensures the safety and quality of products.

These home safes were awarded a UL Class 350°F Fire Rating for 60 minutes of fire protection. UL’s testing is exceptionally rigorous and far surpasses the manufacturers' tests. The process begins by placing thermocouples and a piece of paper inside the safe, followed by these key testing protocols:

• Rapidly raising the furnace temperature to 1,700°F. Unlike some manufacturers, which take up to 20 minutes or more to reach this temperature, UL heats the furnace quickly.

• Cooling without opening the furnace. While most manufacturers open the furnace and the safe immediately after the testing period (typically 1 hour), UL keeps the furnace sealed until a clear drop in temperature is detected.

To achieve a 60-minute UL Class 350°F Fire Rating, the safe’s internal temperature must remain below 350°F throughout the test, ensuring the paper remains undamaged.

3. The Numbers Represents the Internal Dimensions

The numbers within the names represent the internal dimensions of each safe:

• BF1512 — 15” high and 12” wide

• BF1716 — 17” high and 16.5” wide

• BF2116 — 21” high and 16.5”

It’s important to note that not all numbers within the names of a safe do relate to the size, but they’re often a good indicator.

8 American Security BF Home Safe FAQ

1. Can my kids get inside an American Security home safe?

Have you ever picked the lock on a door handle? A safe is NOTHING like that. Breaking into a safe is no small feat. Unless you give your kids the combination or leave the door open, they aren’t going to get into your safe.

2. How difficult is it to install an American Security home safe?

The lightest American Security home safe is the BF1512. It weighs 288 pounds. Without the necessary tools and equipment, safely installing a safe of this size — let alone one of the bigger safes — is extremely difficult.

Most retailers offer curbside delivery. Some retailers may provide first-floor delivery as long as no stairs are involved. Why the limitations? Moving a safe of this size and weight into a home without causing damage or risking injury requires specialized equipment and expertise (as noted above).

While we try not to brag, we have the region’s best safe delivery crews. Equipped with the right tools and hands-on experience, they ensure your safe is installed without any damage to your home. These tools include:

• Door jamb protectors

• Slick sticks (also known as slick slides)

• Electric stair-climbing dollies

Delivery and Install Includes:

• Safely moving your safe into place while protecting your walls, floor, and thresholds. (If your safe doesn’t fit where you want it, we can help you find the next best solution!)

• Leveling your safe to ensure proper door swing.

• Bolting your safe to the floor (if desired)

• Teaching you how to use your safe (including helping you program your electronic lock).

3. Where can an American Security home safe be installed?

As with any American Security safe, these home safes can be installed in any space with enough floor space and overhead clearance. This space needed varies from safe to safe, but some of the popular installation locations include:

• Home Offices

• Master Bedroom

• Master Bedroom Close

• Beneath an Office Desk

• Butler’s Pantry

4. What if I can’t get my safe open?

If you’re locked out of your safe, check the battery first. At least once a week, we get a call from a panicked customer who can’t get into their safe. In most cases, simply replacing the battery resolves the issue and saves you the trouble of a service call. If the problem continues, our in-house Master Safe Technician is fully equipped to open any safe and restore your access expertly.

5. What if I forget my combination?

Whichever safe you choose, we highly recommend registering it with the manufacturer when possible. This ensures that if you ever forget your combination, the manufacturer can assist in recovering it. Additionally, registration guarantees your eligibility for any warranty services.

Important Tip: Don’t overlook adding all necessary individuals to your safe. If you’re married, including both partners on the warranty is wise. This can help you avoid potential legal complications and costs in the future, should proof of ownership become necessary.

6. Why Doesn’t This Safe Have a Key Bypass?

Some online articles promote a key bypass (or key backup) as an emergency safeguard. However, in reality, a key bypass poses a security risk. Safes with key bypass locks are not UL-listed and are generally easier to break into.

7. Can I finance my purchase?

Different retailers offer different financing options for new home safes and gun safes. Here at NW Safe, we have affordable financing powered by two different options:

• Buy now, pay later with Shop Pay

• 12 Month Same As Cash

Both of these options are contingent on approved credit and may require a down payment.

8. Why would I regret purchasing an AMSEC home safe?

No one likes regretting a purchase. But we have found a common regret among customers: they bought a safe that was too small.

It’s easy to underestimate how much stuff you currently want to store in your safe. It’s also really difficult to predict future purchases. If you buy a safe that is too small, the only way to expand is to upgrade or purchase a new safe. The good news is, we’re available to help with either of these solutions.

Which American Security BF Home Safe is Right for Me?

An American Security home safe is a lasting investment in your peace of mind. These safes are an excellent choice if you need a home safe that provides exceptional protection against both theft and fire.

Explore which AMSEC home safe is right for you:

• AMSEC BF1512 (small)

• AMSEC BF1716 (medium)

• AMSEC BF2116 (larger)