B-Rate or C-Rate Safe

[drphil]

I am getting ready to purchase a safe and cannot decide between the two. I don’t live in a bad neighborhood or too far away from a fire department. I am mostly concerned with the logistics and security aspect. I have accepted the large price tag so the price difference between the two is not a huge concern.

My thoughts are that a B-rate safe is lighter and might lend itself to a very discrete DIY installation but does offer less protection. It would also be easier to take with me if I move (1500 lbs).

I like the C-rate but that adds about 500 lbs and pretty much eliminates the possibility of a DIY install job. Also, I am slightly concerned with possible foundation trouble if I placed a one ton safe it in the corner of the house.

If I have to have a professional deliver and install the safe, I will probably go with the C-rate (provided my house won’t start to lean).

Has anyone unloaded a 1500lb safe from a trailer with a few buddies?

What say yee?

 

[misterwhipple]

Makes my hernia scars hurt just reading about it.

Do you know the rated load limit of your floor/slab/foundation?

 

[Winchester 73]

Makes my hernia scars hurt just reading about it.

A lifetime of squeezing too much Charmin gone bad.

 

[beemerphile]

Golf balls. A bucket of golf balls. Lay plywood cribbing along your path and keep placing golf balls at the front of it. Makes easy turns as well.

You can't get enough big guys around a 1500 lb. safe to man-handle it. You have to worry not only about the structure where you are placing the safe, but the structure along the route.

I am glad my house has an elevated slab floor and not wooden joists.

 

[misterwhipple]

A lifetime of squeezing too much Charmin gone bad.

Naw, that's where the carpal-tunnel came from.

 

[a1abdj]

The choice between a B and C rate safe should be made based on the value of the current, or future, contents.

In commercial settings, a B rate is good for about $10,000 in assets, or $2,000 in cash or negotiable instruments. A C rate is good for about $50,000 in assets or $5,000 in cash or negotiable instruments.

Either one of the two is very capable of killing somebody. Considering that risk, and the fact that you may damage an expensive safe (or your house), I would suggest you hire a professional to install it.

 

[drphil]

Perhaps moving it myself is out of the question.

misterwhipple, I have no idea what my slab is rated for (or even that slabs had ratings). Is there an easy way to find out (other than call a foundation inspector and tell them that I plan buy a huge safe)?

a1abdj, any thoughts on if I should be concerned about foundation problems?

 

[bogie]

Suggestion: Cheap safes, in a nice steel cage.

If it requires Real Work to steal, and the tools are NOT handy (i.e., buy a locking tool bin), thieves grab the electronics and try to hock them.

 

[a1abdj]

a1abdj, any thoughts on if I should be concerned about foundation problems?

Pretty unlikely. What type of floor do you have? Is it a normal wood joist floor over a basement or crawl space? A slab?

I have about 40,000 pounds worth of safes along a wall in my garage that has a normal 4" pour. It hasn't moved a bit.

 

[VARifleman]

Pay much attention to what a1abdj and CB900F have to say. They are both smart and experienced in the field of safes. a1abdj helped me out quite a bit in wading through the different options when purchasing a safe. Feel free to go to his website and call him up for specific questions (read = private information) pertaining to it. I'm sure he can get you a good deal and find someone to install either type of safe.

 

[PTK]

I say, pay the $400-$600 to have someone else unload and place it. If it isn't placed properly (level and solidly), the first time you open the door will be the last.

 

[bogie]

Huh?

I've got a friend who has a couple of LARGE safes (from old banks) that are mounted on rather obscenely large casters.

He's never had a problem with being particular with opening the doors.

 

[misterwhipple]

misterwhipple, I have no idea what my slab is rated for (or even that slabs had ratings). Is there an easy way to find out (other than call a foundation inspector and tell them that I plan buy a huge safe)?

Sorry, no clue. I only know repairing damage to any of those can be mind-bogglingly expensive.

Sounds like a1abdj might be the man to listen to.

 

[GhostlyKarliion]

Yes, a1abdj and CB900F are professionals in the safe industry, they know more about safes than anyone else on this board (that I have seen evidence of anyway).

search those usernames and you can find a wealth of information on safes and the like.

 

[Kindrox]

I have 1700 pounds sitting on my slab foundation. Zippo for trouble.