SAFE AND VAULT TEST PROCEDURES

FIRE ENDURRANCE TESTING

The fire endurance testing process will simulate the searing temperatures of a real fire by heating a safe in a furnace to temperatures up to 1049˚C.

In reality, the contents of the safe must not only survive the fire itself, but also the period after a fire has been extinguished when the surrounding temperature is still high enough to destroy the documents or digital media inside. Under UL 72 and EN 1072-1 standards, fire tests go beyond the demands of EN 15659 and NT 017 as they include a soak-out or cooling period. When a safe fire occurs and all flammable material has been consumed, the safe will remain hot for some time, which means measurements are taken only after the internal temperature falls.

FIRE IMPACT TESTING

It’s not just extreme temperatures you need to consider. In a real fire, structural failure can cause a safe to fall through multiple floors and into the heart of the blaze. With the structural damage a fire inflicts on a building, this can and has happened.

That’s why fire safe test procedures may be subjected to a Fire Impact test. Under UL 72, BIS 14561 and EN 1047-1, safes are subjected to drop tests to simulate a building collapse or a unit falling through lower-level floors. This tests the structural integrity of the safe whilst under fire stress.

MANUAL ATTACK TESTING

Manual attack testing for security doors will determine the resistance according to EN 1627 (for windows, doors and shutters), and EN 356 (for security glazing). EN 1627 standard provides three resistance tests:

• Resistance to static loading (in accordance to EN 1628 standard)
• Resistance to static loading (in accordance to EN 1628 standard)
• Resistance to manual attacks (in accordance to EN 1630 standard)

For EN 1630, six classification levels are defined based upon tools used (drilling machine, electric tools) and resistance time. EN 356 standard defines eight levels for resistance against vandalism or attempted manual attacks (from P1A to P5A and from P6B to P8B).

BALLISTIC RESISTANCE TESTING

There are two main standards for ballistic resistance testing: The EN 1522 standard for windows, doors, shutters and blinds defines seven resistance levels for pistols, rifles and assault rifles (from FB1 to FB7) and for shotguns (FSG).

The EN 1963 standard for security glazing specifies seven resistance levels for pistols, and for pistols and rifles (from BR1 to BR7) and two resistance levels for shotguns (SG1 and SG2). If the level numbers are followed by an “S”, it means the security glazing failed the projection test (with splinters). If they are followed by an “NS”, it means the glazing passed the test (without splinters).