rescueswimmer wrote:
I would tend to agree with you on their products, but no were in any brochures have I seen anything that they have improved upon their Drylight.
My wild-a** guess, and that's all I've been doing, that it's a trade-off. If the Drylight mix was improved (I really don't know that it was), one would have to explain the loss of steel however small. Steel is a known quantity, but the AMSEC Drylight is ???
I think they went with this possible trade-off as a cost control measure. They may have had better control over the production costs of their proprietary mixture than over the price of steel which increased rapidly in 2008. Steel prices have since dropped, but they can be still volatile. Note, this in-the-stratosphere speculation. I really do not know.
I also think one of the possibilities is that the heavier fill gives absolutely no additional protection. However, via the grapevine with a1abdj's visit with a regional rep., this heavier fill was considered an upgrade. The evidence at least points to the fill being heavier and denser since the overall volume really hasn't changed. Of course this is still internet information so no guarantees.
rescueswimmer wrote:
No were does it say by test or anything that drylight fill provides any extra protection against theft, It is not rigid like concrete it is ply able and moves.
From AMSEC's advertisement blurb:
2" total wall thickness on all sides featuring our poured DryLight insulation and two layers of steel for exceptional fire and security protection.
AMSEC tries to sell the 2" BF body as an overall composite for both fire AND security protection. Also, see their youtube advertisement below. The AMSEC person here believes the Drylight provides protection for both fire and burglary. The video also seems to push the 'seamless' composite angle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6k9iGGWQ1w
Of course any manufacturer can make any claim. The testing part is where it gets really murky. It passed the UL RSC burglary rating. From a formal test standpoint that's all I really know. I have no concrete idea (no pun intended) how it compares with 7 ga. steel or some other body construction.
My examination of Drylight that it seemed pretty solid. It's something like tile grout. Concrete 'moves' too if you hit it hard enough. The question is how much additional protection over gypsum board or air is anyone's guess. I personally think it adds more protection than gypsum board, but that's just one person's opinion.
With that being said I still probably will end up with an AMSEC BF 6636, Its just frustrating when you can't get a straight answer.
I think it's the way AMSEC operates. Plenty of people find it frustrating so you are not alone. I heard getting information for the body construction of their TL-30 gun safe (RF6528) is even harder. You can try other companies like Sturdy or Fort Knox. Of course those two respective companies have completely different product philosophies, but their product construction is clear.
Good luck