Decoding Safe Ratings for Smarter Protection Choices
Learn how UL and burglary ratings define safe strength, helping you choose the right protection for your valuables.
You own things you want to protect — a few firearms, jewelry, essential documents, and maybe some cash. A high-quality, reliable safe helps guard these items from theft and damage. But not all safes are equally strong.
That’s exactly why we formed our family-owned business nearly 40 years ago. Our founder, David Ballestrasse Sr., was dissatisfied with both the local selection of gun safes for sale and the expertise to deliver and install them. He wanted a safe he could rely on, and he knew others in the area did too. So he started to provide them, founding NW Safe in 1988.
Our close-knit staff has more than 100 years of combined experience selling and delivering safes. It’s not just our business, it’s our passion. And, we firmly believe that the best safe is the safe that’s right for your needs.
Understanding security ratings and standards can help you determine what safe to buy. In this guide, you’ll learn:
1. The UL Standard for Residential Security Containers (RSC)
UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an organization that tests products for safety and security. Their standard UL 1037 applies to Residential Security Containers (RSCs)—the type of containers you might use at home for valuables, documents, or firearms.
- Why the Standard Was Revised
Originally, UL 1037 only required that a safe resist a five-minute attack by one person using common tools like drills, screwdrivers, and hammers. But that was too simple for some use cases. As people wanted more protection, UL updated the standard in 2017 to include three attack levels — giving both manufacturers and buyers clearer options.
The Three Attack Levels
Here’s how they break down:
Attack Level One
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Must resist a 5-minute attack by one technician using common tools (drill, screwdriver, hammer).
Attack Level Two
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Must resist a 10-minute attack by two technicians.
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Two technicians can use more advanced tools like picks, high-speed drills, and pressure devices.
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The safe must resist a 6-square-inch opening being created in the door or front of the safe.
Attack Level Three
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Must resist a 10-minute attack by two technicians.
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Three technicians are allowed to use even tougher tools (what precisely these tougher tools are is not defined by the UL).
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The allowed opening size is smaller (2 square inches), meaning the safe must withstand a more concentrated attack.
There’s also a drop test for safes under 750 pounds to simulate being dropped or yanked. If you mount your safe securely, it may not need to pass this test.
By having these levels, you can choose how much protection you want. A Level One safe is fine for low-risk use, while a Level Three is best when you expect more determined break-in attempts.
2. Burglary Safe Ratings: UL, TL, TRTL, TXTL, and More
The UL 1037 standard covers residential safes, but higher-security safes (like those used by banks, businesses, and those with high-value assets) use a tougher rating system. These are burglary-safe ratings such as UL TL-15, TL-30, TRTL, and TXTL.
These ratings tell you how long a safe can withstand different types of attacks and what kinds of tools are allowed.
Minimum Requirements for Burglary-Rated Safes
Before a safe even qualifies for a burglary rating, it must meet some basic standards:
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It must weigh at least 750 pounds OR be securely anchored.
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The body and door must be made of at least 1 inch of steel or equivalent high-density material. For example, American Security uses two layers of ⅛-inch steel and reinforced high-density concrete. This construction design is not simply an alternative to 1-inch plate steel, it actually provides superior cutting and fire protection.
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It must use a high-security lock—UL Group 1 or 1R combination lock, or an equivalent electronic lock.
Classes from Lower to Higher Security
Here’s a breakdown from moderate to maximum protection:
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TL-15 — Can withstand a 15-minute tool attack on the front of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
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TL-30 — Can withstand a 30-minute tool attack on the front of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
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TL-30x6 — Can withstand a 30 minute tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
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TRTL-30x6 — Can withstand a 30-minute torch and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
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TRTL-60x6 — Can withstand a 60-minute torch and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
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TXTL-60x6 — Can withstand a 60-minute explosive, torch, and tool attack on all six sides of the safe without technicians creating a 6-inch hole.
Intense Testing Standards FAR Exceed Preceptions
Prior to any UL safe test, technicians are given the full specs of the safe in question and are able to fully disassemble the safe. Furthermore, the clock during testing only runs while technicians are actively working on the safe. If the technicians stop for any reason (to change tools, consider a different attack angle, or to simply take a break), the clock stops.
Even a 15-minute test can, in reality, often take hours to be completed.
3. How to Pick a Safe That Matches Your Needs
As you dive into what different ratings mean, you’re likely wondering what level you need. We always recommend buying a safe in keeping with the total value you want to protect.
For commercial insurance plans, such as those carried by jewelry stores, providers require increased ratings based on the total value being insured. We like to use this as a guide for residential consumers as well, as it sets a very realistic standard for keeping your valuables safe.
Insurance ratings are as follows:
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$250K or Less — TL-15
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Up to $500K — TL-30
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Up to $1m — TL-30x6
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Irreplaceable, High-Value Items — TXTR-60x6
4. Two Examples of Matching Valuables to Safes
Imagine two examples:
You want to store: copies of your birth certificate, a few jewelry pieces, and family photos, worth $30K or less.
- Good Solution: Liberty Premium Home 12
- Better Solution: American Security BF3416
- Best Solution: American Security CEV2518
You want to store: A gun collection and rare coins, worth $75K - $100K.
- Good Solution: BFX7240
- Better Solution: Titan 7241
- Best Solution: RF5828X6 or RF7036X6
Find the Best Safe for You
There’s no single “best safe” for everyone. The best safe for you depends on what you’re protecting and how much security you need.
Understanding security ratings helps you make a smart choice. UL’s updated standard for residential safes now gives you clear options with three attack levels, while burglary ratings like TL, TRTL, and TXTL show how well a safe can handle more intense attacks.