| A floor
safe is a safe that is designed to be installed
permanently in a wood or concrete floor. Floor safes provide
more security because burglars cannot carry them off, even
if they have access to a winch or hoist. There are a number
of factors to consider when choosing a floor safe.
One important factor to consider is the construction rating
of the safe. There are B-rated and non B-rated models available.
A B-rated safe uses solid steel construction with a wall
thickness of 1/2" or less and a door thickness of 1"
or less. A B-rated safe is more secure (burglary-resistant)
than a non B-rated safe.
Another factor to consider is the type of door that the
floor safe uses. Models are available with doors that lift
all the way out, or with doors that swing open on a hinge.
Some models have an optional drop slot, which allows deposits
to be made without opening the safe. This drop slot includes
an internal baffle to keep someone from "fishing"
the contents of the safe back out through the slot.
Special RV safes are available
for installation in places where you normally would not
think of installing a floor safe. They have flanges attached
to them, so that they can be mounted through a hole in the
floor of a mobile home, recreational vehicle, or even an
upstairs bedroom.
Another factor to consider when choosing a floor safe is
the type of locking mechanism used on the safe. Models are
available with traditional combination dials and with electronic
keypads. When considering a combination dial, choose a model
with a 4 number combination for added security. The electronic
keypad locking mechanism is much more convenient than the
combination lock. The user simply enters the combination
to the safe on a PIN pad, much like the ones found on ATM
or debit card machines.
Some models of floor
safe use interior steel construction with an
outer body of rustproof polyurethane. This is important
because of the moisture that a floor safe can be exposed
to when mounted in wood or concrete. Look for this feature
if the safe is to be installed in an area that is prone
to dampness.
Another feature to look for in choosing a floor
safe is a spring-loaded relocking mechanism. This
mechanism throws a bolt to relock the safe if the lock is
being tampered with. This feature adds an extra layer of
burglary protection to the safe.
It's obvious that there are number of factors to consider
when choosing a floor safe. Be sure to consider the type
of door the safe uses, the type of locking mechanism, and
where the safe is to be installed. Keeping all of these
factors in mind will ensure that you choose the floor safe
that is right for your needs.
|
