FAQS

Home SAFES

• What kind of safe should I buy?

  It depends - what are the main risks to the items you are trying to protect, what are you trying to protect, what is the value to you of the items you are trying to protect? Once this profile is established then our specialists can answer this question for you.

• What types of safes do you sell?

  Australian Safe Supplies sells a full range of fire protection safes, jewellery safes, Cash Safes, Deposit Safes, Data Safes, and Gun safes for home use.

• Are all safes fireproof?

  No, certain cash/insurance rated safes are not fireproof. Safes are tested for fire or burglary or both. The safes will have labels designating their fire and Cash protection ratings.

• What kind of safe should I buy?

  It depends - what are the main risks to the items you are trying to protect, what are you trying to protect, what is the value to you of the items you are trying to protect? Once this profile is established then our specialists can answer this question for you.

• What is the difference between a digital and a mechanical lock?

  Mechanical lock employs a 3 number dial that is turned to the opening combination. If the combination needs to be changed it should be done by a qualified technician. The digital lock employs a push button keypad that uses a series of numbers to open the lock and is powered by batteries. The combination can be changed by the user. Generally digital locks are easier to use, open quicker, and allow easier changing of codes (if you know the existing code).

• What combination should I use on my lock?

  Do not use obvious combinations such as phone numbers and addresses. Commit the combination to memory and don't leave it written down near the safe.

• Can I put a safe on the first floor?

  Its possible - speak to our specialists about the pros and cons of this sort of installation - there are a number of factors to take into consideration. Prior to any works commencing we would do a site inspection and advise on likely success and costs associated with an install.

• Will a fire safe protect photographs and computer data?

  No, a standard fire safe will protect paper products only.
  Photographs and data should be stored in a data safe that does not allow the interior temperature to reach certain temperatures.

• Should my safe be bolted down?

  Any safe that can be carried should be bolted down. All recently manufactured safes come with pre-drilled bolt holes.
  Having said that you need to be aware of the characteristics of the floor you are bolting into - Hydronic floor heating, electrical concrete slab heating may cause you to rethink how the safe should be installed.

• How big a safe do I need?

  Asses the space you have available for the safe, Asses the volume and dimensions of contents to be stored in the safe, asses the value to you of the items to be stored - then speak to one of our specialists the get the best option for you.

• Can a safe protect from fire?

  Yes, if you buy the right one - speak to one of our specialists the get the best option for you.

• How long does a battery last?

  It depends on the functionality of the lock - for example if it has time delay functionality the battery will expire more quickly than a lock that does not have this functionality. Generally speaking it may last up to 3 years depending on the frequency of safe opening.

• If I change the battery will I lose my code?

  No, not for the safes we recommend - there are safes at the lower price point where normal operation of the safe can be an issue.

Commercial SAFES

• What kind of safe do I need for my business?

  The actual contents and the value of the contents will determine the kind of safe you need - fire protection, protection of valuables or a combination of both, electronic or magnetic items.

• What are UL ratings?

  Underwriter Laboratories tests safes and assigns ratings to them - this classifies the safe as to how fire resistant or how resistant the safe is to physical attack.

• How much coverage will an insurer give for the ratings?

  Every Insurer is different and will vary by contents, insurer, location, and types of security equipment at the location.

• Should I use a mechanical or a digital lock?

  Our specialist staff can analyse based on your usage pattern and profile of your business and advise the best lock for your needs.

• What combination should I use on my lock?

  Do not use obvious combinations such as phone numbers and addresses. Change the combination whenever an employee leaves who has had access to the safe.

• Is delivery needed for my safe?

  Delivery and Installation of commercial grade safes will nearly always require specialist installation personnel.

• Should I have my safe serviced?

  High security safes should be serviced on a regular basis. Service cost is minimal in comparison the price of an opening and repair of a high security safe. Servicing should be done by a safe technician.

Operational and Functional QUESTIONS

• What if I forget my safe code?

  Quality safes are designed to make it difficult to compromise the security of your valuables.
  However we can resolve the problem for you - Speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800) to determine the best course of action.

• If I change or remove the battery will my code be lost?

  No, high quality safe locks have the ability to retain the code even if the battery is removed for a long period of time.

• What happens if my safe battery goes flat?

  The safes we sell have high quality locks, which upon reaching low battery often emit a series of ‘beeps’ as a warning to change battery. High quality safe locks store the battery under the keypad on the outside of the safe.

• How long does the average safe battery last?

  It depends on the functionality of the lock - for example if it has time delay functionality the battery will expire more quickly than a lock that does not have this functionality. Generally speaking it may last up to 3 years depending on the frequency of safe opening.

• Mechanical combination or digital - which is best?

  This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions.
  Without doubt digital is more convenient. Mechanical Dial combination locks have many more moving parts which should be serviced on a regular basis. Digital locks with the logic board external to the safe (in the key pad) are significantly less safe than a mechanical combination or a Digital with the logic board inside the safe - speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800) the get the best option for you.

• Are older safes as good as new safes?

  This depends on the safes we are comparing. A safe constructed in the 1800's is not as secure as a safe constructed in the 1970's.
  A TDR (Torch and Drill Resistant) safe constructed in the 1970s is much more secure than a plate safe constructed last month. Speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800) the get the best option for you.

• What safe is best for my business?

  Australian Safe supplies provides safes for all circumstances, nearly every job is unique and dependent on a wide variety of variables; value and type of the contents, the environmental risks, (business or residential). Assessing these factors allow us to specifically tailor a safe to your needs - speak to one of our specialists the get the best option for you.

• Can I install the safe myself?

  Yes, if the safe is light enough.
  Heavier Safes that weigh a 150 Kg or more should be left to professional installers who have the right specialist equipment to do a risk free installation.
  For more information speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800)

• What are the best fireproof or theft-proof safes?

  There is no one answer to this question - it depends on a plethora of variables - which we can walk through with you.
  Speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800) the get the best option for you.

• Can you move my safe anywhere is Australia?

  Absolutely, we have extensive experience with Safe and Vault transportation and installation.
  Speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800) the get the best option for you

• What does 'Cash Rating' 'Insurance Rating' mean?

  These are Industry terms that indicate the relative difficulty involved in a compromise (Break in) to the security of the safe.
  For more information speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800)

• What safe is best for my home?

  There is no simple answer to this question.
  Australian Safe Supplies will recommend a safe to you based on your identified needs. To customise a solution for you please speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800).

• Do I need to have a 400Kg Safe bolted ?

  Yes - if the safe has pre-drilled bolt holes and the floor construct is suitable. ( No Hydronic floor heating, electrical concrete slab heating etc.)

• If my safe is damaged (fire/burglary) can it be opened/repaired?

  Simple answer is yes - depending on the level of damage to the safe it may however be cheaper to buy a new or second-hand safe For more information speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800)

• Should I get my safe serviced?

  Yes Ideally once every 12 months

• Are the cheaper safes worth considering?

  There is a proportional relationship between cost and reliability and between cost and performance - if you need a safe to perform and protect your valuables you can't expect a $100 safe to be as strong or effective as a $2000 safe.
  A lot of Safes have had their quality eroded over the last 10 to 15 years - Price point based safes - in order to get cheaper safes, the components of the safe have reduced in quality i.e. the steel has got thinner or in some cases disappeared.
  For more information speak to one of our specialists(Brian 0439 998 800)