Do you worry about losing valuables in the event of a burglary or fire? With home burglaries plaguing communities and fire season continuing to threaten homes throughout the West Coast and beyond, this is an understandable concern. It’s no wonder you’re looking at the AMSEC BF2116. This medium size home safe is one of the best American-made home safes on the market.
AMSEC (also known as American Security) was founded in 1946. For more than 75 years, they’ve produced some of the best-performing safes.
We’re undoubtedly fans of this premium product, but we know it’s not the right fit for everyone. Ultimately, we want to help you find the best safe to fit your needs.
In this article, we’ll talk about the cost of an AMSEC BF2116, its size, where you can install it, its security features, and address some frequently asked questions.
American Security BF2116 Cost
There’s no use talking in circles. American Security’s BF2116 is a high-end home safe. It comes with a high-end price tag. The manufacturer price ranges from $2,643 to $4,436. The cost difference here is based on the safe’s finish: textured vs gloss. American Security has arguably the best gloss finish in the industry — offering a more refined look for a home safe that may be displayed prominently.
Regardless of the finish, why spend so much on a safe? Because buying a safe is no different than purchasing insurance — the level of protection you pay for is the level of protection you get. If you’re storing diamond necklaces, precious metals, and your baby’s social security card, a 30-minute fire rating is unlikely to offer the level of protection you want.
The American Security BF2116 Name Stands for Burglary & Fire
The naming pattern of home safes can seem nonsensical to those outside the safe industry. And in truth, there is no standardized naming practice. But as folks well-immersed in the safe industry, we can confidently say there’s some logic to the BF2116. 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.
The body of the American Security BF2116 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 UL Class 350°F 60 Min. — 1,700°F Fire Rating
One of the challenges when comparing the features of different safes — especially their fire ratings — is the lack of industry regulation. For American Security, the "F" in the BF series is a manufacturer’s label indicating the safe is fire-rated.
The AMSEC BF2116 stands out because Underwriters Laboratory (UL), an independent third-party testing agency, has tested and certified its fire rating. Founded in 1894, UL’s rigorous and unbiased testing ensures the safety and quality of products.
UL awarded the AMSEC BF2116 a UL Class 350°F Fire Rating for 60 minutes of fire protection. UL’s testing is extremely rigorous and superior compared to any of the tests conducted by manufacturers themselves. It begins by placing thermocouples and a piece of paper within the safe and then follows the following testing protocols:
- Rapidly raising the furnace temperature to 1,700°F. Some manufacturers take up to 20 minutes (or more) to raise the furnace temperature all the way.
- Cooling without opening the furnace. Most manufacturers open the furnace and the safe following the testing period (in this case 1 hour). UL keeps the furnace closed until there is a definite drop in temperature.
In order to earn a 60-minute UL Class 350°F Fire Rating, the safe’s internal temperature must stay below 350°F throughout the process to pass and the paper must be undamaged.
2116 Represents the Internal Dimensions
The 2116 within the BF2116 name indicates the height and width of the safe — it’s 21” high and 16.5” wide. Not all numbers within the names of a safe do relate to the size, but they’re often a good indicator.
Top 5 American Security BF2116 Security Features
1. UL Certified Lock Options
The AMSEC BF2116 is available with your choice of American Security’s ESL10 (Electronic Safe Lock) basic keypad lock or a Big Red dial lock. Both options are UL Certified.
For those who want a lock with the quickest access available, the BF2116 can be retrofitted 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 you want 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.
2. 3-½” Thick Door with 2-Stage Fire Seal
The door of the American Security BF2116 is a formidable 3-½” thick. It features a ½” steel plate along with American Security’s proprietary fire insulation, just like the safe’s body. Enginerd with an impressively tight door fit, it offers impressive pry resistance and fire protection.
The safe’s fire rating is further exemplified by a two-stage fire seal:
- 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 line of defense. It provides a continuous layer of protection against dust, moisture, and other particles.
In the event of a fire, the second layer of protection comes from the expandable Palusol™ seal on the door. Made from sodium silicate encased in a thermoplastic shell, this heat-activated seal expands up to five times its original thickness when exposed to high temperatures. As it expands, the non-combustible material fills any gaps between the door and the safe’s body, creating an effective barrier against smoke, heat, and water damage.
SIMPLY PUT: This safe can burn for up to 60 minutes in an average house fire without the paper contents being completely destroyed.
3. 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.
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 of the 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
The lifetime warranty provided by American Security ensures that if your safe is destroyed or made inoperable in a fire, they will replace it free of charge. Just be sure to register your safe. In order to take advantage of this warranty, your safe must be registered.
Purchase your BF2116 today and get on our delivery schedule.
9 American Security BF2116 FAQ
1. Can my kids or my kids’ friends get inside a BF2116?
Breaking into a safe is nothing like picking the lock on a bathroom door with a bent safety pin. Unless you give your kids or your kids’ friends the combination to your safe, they aren’t going to get into a BF2116 that’s locked.
2. How difficult is it to install an American Security BF2116?
The American Security BF2116 weighs 476 pounds. Even those who can bench press that kind of weight will find it difficult to safely move this large steel box into place without the necessary tools and equipment.
Most retailers offer curbside delivery. Some retailers may provide first-floor delivery, as long as there are no stairs 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).
Not to brag, but this is where our in-house delivery crew stands out. That’s where our in-house delivery crews stand out. Equipped with the right tools and hands-on experience, they ensure your safe is installed without any damage to your home. We use door jamb protectors, slide sticks (also known as slick slides), and electric stair-climbing dollies to safely move your safe into place.
This service 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 BF2116 be installed?
This medium home safe can be installed in most rooms within your home, so long as you have the floor space and overhead clearance to accommodate it. (The safe’s exterior is 26.25" High x 21.75" Wide x 20.25" 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?
Worried about being locked out of your safe? The first thing we ask anyone experiencing issues with an electronic lock is, "When was the battery last replaced?" 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 expertly open any safe and restore your access.
5. What if I forget my combination?
No matter which safe you choose, we strongly recommend registering it with the manufacturer. This ensures that, if you ever forget your combination, the manufacturer can help you recover it. Registration also guarantees you're eligible for any warranty service.
An important Tip: Be mindful of who you list on the registration. 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 BF2116?
While we hope no customer regrets their purchase, we have found a common theme among those who do: they purchased too small of a safe.
It’s easy to underestimate how much you want to store within a safe. Additionally, it’s easy to outgrow a safe. Predicting the valuables you will purchase is difficult (if not impossible). Because there’s no remodeling a safe, if you do outgrow your safe you’re left with two options: upgrade or purchase an additional safe.
The good news is, we’re available to help with either of these solutions.
Is an American Security BF2116 Right for Me?
The American Security BF2116 represents a lasting investment in your peace of mind. If you’re looking for a medium home safe that delivers exceptional protection against both theft and fire, this model is an excellent choice.
Purchase your BF2116 today and get on our delivery schedule.