Ranking of the 7 best Hartmann Tresore safes for burglary and fire protection

In this article, we will take a closer look at this topic: what are burglar-proof and fireproof safes, what are their key features and answer the question: why should you invest in such a solution? You will also find out which models of burglar and fire safes are most often chosen by our customers.

Burglar-proof safes are specialised devices designed to protect and secure the items deposited in them against unauthorised access and theft. Their main function is to provide the maximum level of security through the use of robust materials, bolt systems and locking mechanisms. The key features of burglar-proof safes undoubtedly include:

• Construction and materials used: burglar-proof safes are made of high-quality materials and, depending on the security class, often reinforced with additional layers of materials resistant to drilling, cutting and other techniques and tools used by burglars.

• Resistance classes: Safes with burglary resistance classes S1 and S2 (EN 14450 standard) are the basic security. These safes are the simplest in terms of construction (1 or 2 sheet metal coats and reinforced doors). Burglar-proof safes according to EN 1143-1 are classified on a scale of 0-XIII (with safes most often having classes 0-V/VI, and vaults, safe rooms being classified higher). The bodies of these safes are multi-walled, with special fillings between the sheet metal coats, which affect the weight of the safe and increase the time it takes to break through the respective security. The higher the security class, the greater the burglary resistance of the safe. The different classes also indicate which values can be stored in the respective safe.

- Locks: There are different locking systems used in burglar-proof safes, such as standard key locks, electronic locks, combination locks and biometric locks (e.g. fingerprint).

Fireproof safes, thanks to their appropriate structure, are able to maintain the optimum temperature inside, which helps protect the contents from excessive heat. The greatest benefit of having them is to ensure the safety of valuables in the event of a fire. They feature a special design that prevents high temperatures from entering the safe. Key features of fireproof safes comprise:

• Materials applied and construction: in the construction of fire-resistant safes, different types of insulating materials are used, which can withstand extreme temperatures for a certain period of time and limit the possibility of the temperature rising inside the safe. They often have a multi-layered construction that increases their ability to protect the contents.

• Fire resistance certificates: Fireproof safes are certified according to standards such as EN 15695 or EN 1047-1, among others. These certificates specify how long the safe can withstand extreme fire conditions (e.g. 30, 60, 120 minutes).

• Sealings: Fireproof safes are equipped with special gaskets. The gaps in the structure are particularly protected, hence special seals are located in the door and swell during a fire, thus preventing water and fire extinguishing agents from entering, further protecting the contents from damage.

Investing in a burglar-proof safe, a fireproof safe or one that has both certifications is a decision that brings many benefits. Here are some key reasons why it is worth considering such a solution:

• Protection of valuables: Burglar-proof safes effectively protect jewellery, cash, weapons, documents, as well as other items of value from theft. Thanks to the advanced security mechanisms and robust construction, burglars have a very difficult task to get inside the safe and steal the items deposited inside. Worth bearing in mind that the weight of the safe and its permanent attachment to the floor or wall are also important – the heavier it is, the more difficult it is to carry out. The same goes for size: the larger it is, the less ‘handy’ it is for a potential thief.

• Document and data protection: The main task of fireproof safes is to protect documents, data carriers (such as hard drives, CDs/DVDs) and other materials that can be damaged by high temperatures (paper documents and data carriers are much more sensitive to high temperatures compared to other objects). For safes with fire resistance, the symbols on the certification plates or in the description of the safes' parameters are important. Fire resistance to paper is indicated by the letter ‘P’. As for safes for data media, their fire resistance class is indicated by the letters ‘DIS’. The differences between document safes and media safes are discussed in another article of our blog.

• Peace of mind: Having a safe gives the owner the sense of security that their valuable items are deposited in a hard-to-reach location and protected against easy access by unauthorised persons or break-ins.

Choosing the right safe depends on your individual needs and requirements. Your expectations are important to us – based on these we are able to offer our recommendations. Here are some key factors to consider before buying a particular model:

• Type of safe: First of all, you need to decide whether you need a burglar-proof safe, a fireproof safe or perhaps a combination of both features. In the case of burglary protection, it is worth looking at the highest possible resistance class, and in the case of fire protection, the length of time the safe can withstand high temperatures.

• Size and capacity: we have safes in a range of sizes, from small, compact models to large two-door cabinets (and even vault rooms). It is worth assessing what items will be stored in the safe and choosing the right capacity (and ideally choosing a larger safe, as valuables increase over time).

• Location and installation: The safe should be placed in a discreet location. It is a good idea to position the safe i.e. in a piece of furniture or to brick it into a wall so that it is not immediately visible in the foreground. Ideally, the safe should be concealed.

• Locking system: The choice of lock (mechanical, electronic, combination, biometric) depends on the individual user's preferences. Each type of lock has its advantages and disadvantages, and the final choice should be determined by what is perceived to be most convenient.

• Certifications and standards: When purchasing, it is worth looking at the certifications and compliance with standards that confirm the quality and effectiveness of the safe.

We offer a variety of safes – both burglar-proof certified models and also fire-resistant safes. Whether a particular model is best for a customer depends on many factors, but we have our bestsellers, the most versatile products. Here are some of them:

1) F 103-01 Blanco: a small model, but don't let its compactness fool you. It is a product in which you will secure valuables (it is ideal for storing cash, jewellery, gold or other bullion. The safe is robust and offers good protection against attempted break-ins, with a class I security rating. Apparently small, but it weighs 72 kg.

2) D 109-08: a burglar-proof safe with a class I burglary certificate and is also a fireproof safe (60 minutes fire resistance). Its weight is 105 kg. Another interesting model is the D 109-10 – it has the same parameters in terms of certification, but is larger and weighs 145 kg. These safes have stepped door designs.

3) HPKT 400-02: a small, compact furniture safe that can be placed on a furniture shelf due to its dimensions, lightweight construction and low weight. This safe is in security class S2, i.e. it provides basic protection against burglary and unauthorised access. It weighs 30 kg. Visually, the dimensions are alike to those of a microwave oven. It can store smaller values.

4) HTII 215-01: this series is characterised by flat bolts on three sides and a seal to protect the contents from the effects of fire. It provides higher burglar-proof protection – it is a safe rated class II. It weighs 137 kg. Larger values can be stored in it (approximately PLN 1.5 million).

5) HTIII 315-03 – this is a safe that will fit even under a desk in a study, so it seems not big, but a substantial weight – 303 kg – is contained in this compact design. You can store a lot of value in such a safe (almost PLN 3 million).

6) HTV 515-01 - the smallest when it comes to a class V safe and at the same time a ‘concrete thing’: 840 mm in height, 705 kg in weight. This is a safe definitely for special tasks! It can store almost 8 million zlotys.

7) WT 270-01: this is a unique model among those listed, as it can store both valuables and long guns. The safe is concrete, with a class I burglar-proof rating and a 30-minute fire rating. It is a large, single-door safe, weighing 360 kg and measuring 1,650 mm in height.

Each of these safes can be ordered with a key lock as standard. As an option, another lock can be fitted in place of the key lock: combination, electronic (also with revision), biometric. It is worth noting that in safes from class IV upwards, according to the certificates, the safe should be locked with a combination of 2 locks.

Do you want to know the best home safes from our range? Check out our other article: Ranking of home safes – find out which safe to choose?

Burglar-proof safes and fireproof safes are an indispensable tool for protecting valuable items, documents and data carriers. Their advanced structure, robust materials they are made of and modern locking systems ensure a high level of security in the event of a break-in or fire. Investing in a safe is a decision that will last for years, it brings numerous benefits, and one of the most important is the peace of mind in a situation when we are not at home – we are sure that a potential thief will not get our valuable things ‘on a platter’, but they are deposited and secured, and he has to work hard to get to them, and we all know – the burglar's greatest enemy is time.

Choosing the right safe should be thoughtful and tailored to your individual needs to ensure maximum efficiency and security. It is worth remembering that temperature-sensitive paper documents and those stored on data carriers are protected in fire-proof safes (with fire-proof safes for paper being a separate category and those for protecting data carriers being another one).

Burglar-proof and fire-proof safes are not only a symbol of security, but also a practical solution to protect our assets from unforeseen threats. With the increasing number of burglaries and the risk of fires, investing in a safe is becoming increasingly worthwhile and necessary.