American Security BF3416 Full Review

Is protecting your valuables from burglaries and fires a priority? If so, it’s unsurprising you’re looking at the American Security BF3416. This high-end, American-made home safe is one of the best built. 

Founded in 1946, American Security (also known as AMSEC) has produced top-performing safes for over 75 years. The BF3416 is the largest of the four safes within AMSEC’s BF Home Series.

We’re undoubtedly fans of this premium product, but we know it’s not the right choice for everyone. In this article, we’ll dive into why this American Security safe costs so much, what gives it superior burglary and fire protection, where you can install it, and more. Ultimately, we aim to help you weigh the pros and cons so you can buy the right safe for you.

There’s no beating around the bush. In the world of home safes, American Security is a premium choice and comes with a premium price tag. The manufacturer's price ranges from $3,390.00 - $5,577.50, depending on the finish. We may be preaching to the choir, but when you make a budget for buying a home safe, we always recommend you consider the value you’re storing. 

Purchasing a safe is like shopping for insurance — its value should be in keeping with what you’re protecting. An entry-level safe with a 30-minute fire rating is unlikely to put up the defense you want if you’re storing items like precious metals and your baby’s first footprint. 

Have you noticed while shopping for home safes that the names don’t always tell you a lot about the safe at first glance? Let’s break it down. Because while we live and breathe the safe world, we know that industry jargon can be a bit much. 

The B-Classification is an industry construction and performance rating. It was established to indicate the degree of protection the safe will provide during an attack.

In order to meet this standard, the body of the safe must be made of at least ¼” thick steel, and the door must be at least ½” thick. The body of the American Security BF3416 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. 

One of the confusing things about comparing the features of different safes — especially fire ratings — is that the industry is not regulated. In the case of American Security, the F in BF is a labeling term used by the manufacturer to signal that the safe is fire-rated. 

What sets American Security’s BF series apart is that Intertek, an independent, third-party testing agency, tested and certified the fire rating. For more than 130 years, Intertek’s reliable and unbiased testing methods have helped ensure the safety and quality of products. 

American Security’s BF series is ETL-certified for 60 minutes of fire protection. Intertek’s testing process is designed to mimic a house fire. Once a safe is placed within a furnace and the furnace is turned on, the temperature is ramped up to 1,200° F within 8 minutes. 

The furnace temperature is then maintained for the remainder of the 60-minute test. In order to pass the test, the safe’s internal temperature never exceeded 350°F.

The 3416 within the BF3416 name indicates the height and width of the safe — it’s 34” 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. 

The American Security BF3416 can be purchased with your choice of American Security’s ESL10 (Electronic Safe Lock) basic keypad lock or an old-school Big Red dial lock dial lock. Both options are UL Certified.

The American Security BF3416 can also be retrofitted with a Securam Scanlogic, the best-performing biometric lock available. In addition to the biometric fingerprint reader, the Scanlogic offers a keypad for more flexibility. This lock is also UL Certified.

Why is a UL Certified lock important? 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. 

The American Security home safes are built with fire clay, a proprietary fire resistant material.

The door of an American Security BF3416 is an impressive 3-½” thick. It includes a ½” steel plate and American Security's proprietary insulation as the safe’s body. The incredibly tight door fit is further strengthened with a two-stage fire seal:

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

The silicone seal on the door jamb is the first layer of defense against dust, moisture, and foreign particles from entering the safe. This seal is always actively working to protect your valuables. 

The expandable Palusol™ seal on the door is heat-activated in the event of a fire. It is composed of sodium silicate within a thermoplastic casing and expands up to five times its original thickness when exposed to heat. As it expands, this non-combustible material fills the small gaps between the door and the safe's body, providing a barrier against smoke, heat, soot, and water damage.

The door of the safe is also equipped with three 1” solid steel, chrome-plated locking bars. 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. 

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. 

Without the combination, it would take tools, brute force, and a lot of time to break into an American Security BF3416. In short, your kids aren’t getting into this safe. 

The American Security BF3416 weighs 690 pounds. Generally, it is too large and heavy for most homeowners to safely install. 

Most retailers will offer curbside delivery, and you’ll find some that will provide first-floor delivery, given that no steps need to be traversed. Why the delivery restrictions? Because moving a safe of this weight and size into a house without damaging the house or causing serious injury requires the necessary tools and expertise. 

Not to toot our own horn, but our in-house delivery crews are outfitted with the tools and hands-on experience to safely install your safe without any damage to your home. Our crews use door jamb protectors, Slick Sticks (aka slick slides), and specialty electric stair-climbing dollies to move safes 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).

This large home safe offers a clean, polished design. They can be installed anywhere you want, so long as you have the floor space and overhead space to accommodate the safe. (The safe’s exterior dimensions are 39.25" High x 21.75" Wide x 21.75" Deep.)

Popular installation locations include:

• Home Offices
• Master Bedroom 
• Garage
• Butler’s Pantry

Concerned about getting locked out of your safe? The first question we ask anyone having trouble with an electronic lock is, "When was the battery last replaced?" In most cases, installing a new battery solves the problem and saves you the hassle of a service call. If the issue persists, our in-house Master Safe Technician can expertly open any safe and help you regain access.

Regardless of the safe you choose, we highly recommend registering it with the manufacturer. If you ever forget your combination, registration allows the manufacturer to assist in recovering it. It also ensures you're covered for any warranty service needs.

One important detail is who you list on the registration. If you're married, it's a good idea to include both partners on the warranty. This can save you the hassle and legal costs of proving ownership in case something happens down the road.

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

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. 

An American Security BF3416 is a generational investment in your peace of mind. If you want a large home safe that offers top-level protection against both theft and fire, this is an excellent choice.

Purchase your BF3416 today and get on our delivery schedule.