AMSEC BF1512 Full Review

Does the thought of losing your valuables, precious heirlooms, and important documents worry you? Fire season has continued to plague families up and down the West Coast and throughout North America. Home robberies still plague residents everywhere. These worries are why you’re likely looking at the AMSEC BF1512.

Since 1986, our family-owned and operated business has sold the best selection of high-end safes in Washington.

While we’re undeniably in the safe-selling business, we know that this premium home safe isn’t for everyone. To help you find the best safe to fit your needs, we’ve put together an honest AMSEC BF1512 review. It includes:

• AMSEC BF1512 Cost
• Top 5 Security Features of an American Security BF1512
• What this American Security Home Safe Name Stands For
• 8 American Security BF1716 FAQs

American Security BF1512 Cost

The American Security BF1512 is a small, high-end home safe. It comes with a high-end price tag. The manufacturer price ranges from $2,287.50 - $4,005, depending on the safe’s finish. The price variation is due to the safe’s finish—textured versus gloss. American Security is renowned for offering one of the finest gloss finishes in the industry, delivering a sleek and sophisticated look for safes displayed in your home.

Regardless of the finish, why does a safe with 2,340 cubic inches of storage space cost so much? Because buying a safe is no different than purchasing insurance — you get the level of protection you pay for. The AMSEC BF2116 is built for protection.

Top 5 Security Features of an American Security BF1512

1. UL Certified Lock Options

The AMSEC BF1512 comes with your choice of American Security’s ESL10 (Electronic Safe Lock), which features a basic keypad or a Big Red dial lock. Both options are UL Certified.

Our Master Safe Technician can also retrofit the safe with a Securam Scanlogic, a top-tier biometric lock. The Scanlogic combines a biometric fingerprint reader with a keypad, providing added flexibility and convenience. This lock is also UL Certified.

Why do we recommend always using a UL Certified lock? Because it meets our minimum security requirements. Additionally, all UL Certified locks have a universal footprint, ensuring it is easy and affordable to service your lock or replace it if the need arises.

NOTE: You always want to hire a certified safe tech to retrofit your lock in order to maintain the warranty on your safe. If you retrofit the lock on your safe yourself, you will void the manufacturer’s warranty.

2. Proprietary Fire & Burglary Resistant Material

The American Security home safes are built with fire clay, a proprietary mix of concrete with fire resistance additives that offers exceptional fire and security protection. This insulation is superior to the sheetrock used as fire insulation in most safes.

Additionally, three layer design — steel + poured fire clay + steel — creates a barrier that’s harder to cut through. In this design, a burglar has to cut through one layer of steel, dig or chip through the fire clay and then cut through another layer of steel.

3. UL Listed 60 Minute Fire Rating

Small but mighty, the American Security BF1212 features an impressive 3-½” thick door. It includes a ½” steel plate and fire clay insulation, just like the safe’s body. Furthermore, it’s engineered with an impressively tight door fit, improving its pry-resistance and fire protection. How tight of a door fit? It is guaranteed to be less than 0.125", but often less than 0.083"!

A two-stage fire seal further exemplifies the safe’s fire rating:

• A Silicone Foam Seal on the Door Jamb
• An Expandable Palusol™ Seal on the Door

The silicone seal around the door jamb serves as the first layer of defense against fire. It forms a continuous barrier that blocks dust, moisture, and other particles.

In a fire, the Palusol™ seal on the door provides the second layer of protection. Made from sodium silicate within a thermoplastic shell, this heat-activated seal expands up to five times its original thickness when exposed to extreme heat. As it expands, the non-combustible material fills the gaps between the door and the safe, creating an effective barrier against smoke, heat, and water damage.

SIMPLY PUT: This safe has a 1-hour UL listing for fires up to 1700°F. (UL stands for Underwriters Laboratory, an independent third-party testing agency that’s one of the most well-respected in the world.)

4. 1” Solid Steel Chrome-Plated Locking Bolts

The door of the safe is also equipped with three 1” solid steel, chrome-plated locking bolts. When the safe’s door is closed and locked, these bolts extend deep into the safe to prevent the door from being removed with forced entry.

5. Lifetime Fire Warranty

American Security offers a lifetime warranty that guarantees a free replacement if your safe is destroyed or rendered inoperable by fire. To utilize your warranty, your safe must be registered. We always recommend registering your safe as soon as it’s delivered.  

For those unfamiliar with the safe industry, how home safes are named might seem arbitrary. In truth, there’s no universal naming convention. However, as industry experts, we can explain the logic behind the BF1512 model. Let’s break it down.

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. The American Security BF1512 is among the most secure B-Rated safes.

The safe’s body 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.

F Refers to the ETL 60 Min. 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 the BF1512? Because it earned the fire rating from Underwriters Laboratory. Founded in 1894, Underwriters Laboratory listings are some of the most well-respected in the world. UL’s testing process is highly rigorous and far exceeds the standards set by manufacturers’ own tests. It starts by placing thermocouples and a piece of paper inside the safe, then follows these key steps:

• Rapidly heating the furnace to 1,700°F. Some manufacturers take 20 minutes (or longer) to reach this temperature.
• Cooling the furnace without opening it. Most manufacturers open the furnace and the safe right after the test (usually 1 hour), but UL keeps it sealed until there’s a significant temperature drop.

For a safe to earn a 60-minute UL Class 350°F Fire Rating, its internal temperature must stay below 350°F for the entire test, and the paper inside must remain intact.

This AMSEC home safe is UL Listed for 1 hour with a furnace temperature of 1700°F.

In order to earn this rating, the safe had to maintain an internal temperature of no more than 350°F throughout the entire duration of the test.

1512 Represents the Internal Dimensions

The 1512 within the BF1512 name indicates the height and width of the safe — it’s 15” high and 12” wide. Not all numbers within the names of a safe do relate to the size, but they’re often a good indicator.

8 American Security BF1512 FAQ

1. Can my kids get inside a BF1512?

No. Unless you give your kids the combination or you leave the door unlocked, your kids aren’t getting into this safe.

2. How difficult is it to install an American Security BF1512?

The American Security BF1512 weighs 288 pounds—about the same as a motorcycle. Without the right tools and expertise, installing it safely can be a challenge.

Most retailers offer curbside delivery, and some may provide first-floor delivery, as long as no stairs are involved. Why the limitations? Moving a safe of this size and weight without damaging your home or risking injury requires specialized equipment and skilled professionals. 

While we don't like to boast, our delivery crews are the best in the region. With the proper tools and hands-on experience, they ensure your safe is installed flawlessly. Some of 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 BF1512 be installed?

A small home safe, the American Security BF1512 can be installed in most rooms within your home. The safe’s exterior is 20.25" High x 17.25" Wide x 18.75" Deep.

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, the first thing to check is the battery. We receive calls from panicked customers at least once a week, and more often than not, a simple battery replacement solves the problem—saving you from the hassle of a service call. If the issue persists, 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?

No matter which safe you choose, we strongly recommend registering it with the manufacturer. This allows the manufacturer to help you recover your combination if it's ever forgotten and ensures you're eligible for any warranty services.

Important Tip: Don’t overlook adding all necessary individuals to your safe. If you’re married, it’s wise to include both partners on the warranty. 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 BF1512?

No one enjoys regretting a purchase, but a common regret among customers is buying a safe that’s too small.

It’s easy to underestimate how much you currently want to store, and it can be challenging to predict future needs. If you opt for a safe that turns out to be too small, your only options for expansion are to upgrade or buy a new safe. The good news is that we’re here to assist you with either solution.

Is an American Security BF1512 Right for Me?

The American Security BF1512 is a lasting investment in your peace of mind. It is an excellent choice if you need a small home safe that provides exceptional protection against both theft and fire.