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In a world where protecting valuables, sensitive information, and financial assets is more critical than ever, secure storage solutions like safes and strongrooms play an important role. But how do you know if a safe truly offers the level of security you need? This is where secure storage unit standards come in.
EN 1143-1 defines the framework for classifying safes and strongrooms based on their burglary resistance. It considers:
- Free-standing safes
- Built-in safes (floor and wall)
- ATM safes and ATM bases
- Strongroom doors
- Strongrooms (with or without a door)
This standard outlines detailed procedures for evaluating how these products withstand burglary attempts under controlled conditions. The goal is to evaluate their security and durability in the face of potential break-ins or forced entry.
What are the key sections of the standard?
The standard describes how storage products are classified based on their resistance to burglary. EN 1143-1 also specifies the documentation required to support the testing process and product classification.
Some examples of testing methods in EN 1143-1 are:
- The tool attack test details manual attack procedures, using specific tools to simulate burglary attempts and assess how products resist forced entry.
- Explosive tests include protocols for testing resistance against explosive attacks.
- Core drilling test assesses resistance to core drilling attacks, commonly used by burglars to breach safes and strongrooms.
- Advanced tool attack test T2 covers testing against more sophisticated tools and methods.
Annex A & B: Lists the specific attack tools permitted in standard and advanced testing scenarios.
Who uses EN 1143-1?
This standard is for anyone designing, manufacturing, installing, or using security products requiring burglary resistance.
Manufacturers producing free-standing safes, built-in safes (floor and wall), ATM safes and bases, strongroom doors, and strongrooms rely on this standard to ensure their products meet recognised burglary resistance criteria. Security system designers and engineers creating comprehensive security solutions use EN 1143-1 classifications to integrate appropriate physical security measures into their designs.
Financial institutions and ATM operators use this standard to select safes and ATM security systems that provide adequate protection against burglary attempts. Insurance companies use EN 1143-1 classifications to assess risk and determine insurance coverage requirements for stored valuables.
Businesses and individuals requiring secure storage for cash, valuables, or sensitive documents can consult this standard to ensure the safes or strongrooms they purchase meet recognised security standards.
What standards are there in this secure storage unit series?
This standard is the first part of a two-part series.
- EVS-EN 1143-1:2019 „Secure storage units - Requirements, classification and methods of test for resistance to burglary - Part 1: Safes, ATM safes, strongroom doors and strongrooms“
- EVS-EN 1143-2:2024 „Secure storage units - Requirements, classification and methods of tests for resistance to burglary - Part 2: Deposit systems“
However, there are many more security standards for storage. For example, secure cabinets, fire-resistant data cabinets and rooms.
Other security standards can be found here: