Expertise
Certified Safes Ireland™ advisor Alan Donohoe Redd is part of the CEN263 Working Group responsible for writing European Standards for safes and vaults for the European Union
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Safes, Secure Storage And Plant Security For Manufacturing & Utilities
We deliver the industrial durability, performance and integration you need to future proof your investment.
Certified Safes Ireland™ are the experts in:
- Certified secure storage solutions such as certified safes and strongrooms to protect valuable production materials and equipment
- Data safes and data rooms to suit industrial environments
- Certified security doors with fire resistant, sound suppression and ballistic options
- Industrial-strength weather and cutting tool resistant padlocks to secure exterior and perimeter gates, doors and plant.
The Importance Of Accredited European Certification
EU Parliament regulation 765/2008 created the system that provides the legal basis of accreditation for the burglary resistance certification of safes and cabinets to:
- European standard EN1143-1, the burglary resistance certification for safes & strongrooms
- European standard EN14450, the burglary resistance certification for cabinets
- European standard EN15659 the protection of paper documents from fire
- European standard EN1047-1 the protection of data from fire
The ultimate protection against misrepresentation and a legal proof of standard of burglary and fire resistance, accredited European certification is the most important factor in maintaining insurance cover long term, as well as being the basis for all insurance rate recommendations for safes and strongrooms in Europe. When there is a need to ensure regulatory compliance, for the storage of valuables, important legal documents or data, anything less than accredited European certification and the legal proof of standard it provides can leave an organisation or individual vulnerable. European accredited certification for safes and strongrooms is backed by regular auditing, market surveillance and is verifiable, proof of standard for both insurance and litigation purposes.
The relationship between European certification and insurance cover
Accredited European certification of burglary resistance to European standard EN1143-1 and the legal proof of standard it provides is the basis of all insurance rate recommendations for safes in the EU. These insurance rate recommendations are sourced from the insurance industry itself and provide a guide for both insurers and consumers in selecting a safe suitable for a given level of risk. Recommended rates of insurance cover rise in line with certified resistance grade of the safe in question, for most practical purposes 0 to VI, however, the final rate of cover is subject to the overall risk assessment of the insurer.
These are the logos of the four certification bodies with accreditation to ISO IEC17065 to certify safes to European standards you will most likely encounter on a genuine certification plate in Ireland.
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If you consider that 70% of safes tested for burglary resistance by accredited European testing labs fail on the first attempt the practical implications of accepting unaccredited claims of burglary or fire resistance are also obvious.
What Accredited Certification Looks Like
Burglary resistance certification for safes EN1143-1
A safe with properly accredited European certification of burglary resistance will display at least one stamped metal certification plate on the inside of the door. This will always be a stamped metal plate, never a sticker. An accredited certification plate for a safe will display the word "SAFE" and the standard EN1143-1, the logo of an accredited certification body (not the manufacturer), the burglary grade in Roman numerals, and most importantly, will often provide confirmation that the certification body is accredited to ISO/IEC 17065. This is legal assurance that the certifier is accredited under European law. The same information will be available on accredited certification documents which are freely available and should always be asked for.
Accredited fire resistance certification for paper EN15659
Fire resistance certification is always indicated completely separately to any burglary resistance certification plate that a safe or cabinet may have.
There is absolutely no connection between the grade of a safe and its fire resistance.
A safe or cabinet with properly accredited European certification of fire resistance will display at least one stamped metal fire resistance certification plate on the inside of the units door. This will always be a stamped metal plate, never a sticker. The plate for will display the words "Light Fire Storage Unit" and the standard EN15659 in cases where the unit is suitable for paper documents. A fire resistance certification plate will also display the logo of an accredited certification body (not the manufacturer) and most importantly, will often provide confirmation that the certification body is accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, a legal proof of standard under European law.
Accredited fire resistance certification for data EN1047-1
Fire resistance certification for data is always indicated completely separately to any burglary resistance certification plate that a safe or cabinet may have.
There is absolutely no connection between the grade of a safe and its suitability for data storage.
A safe or cabinet with properly accredited European certification for data storage will display at least one stamped metal certification plate on the inside of the units door. This will always be a stamped metal plate, never a sticker. The plate for will display the words "Data Cabinet", the standard EN1047-1 and will display the letter "P" where the unit is suitable for paper documents, "D" where the unit is suitable for digital data and "DIS" where the unit is suitable for magnetic tape. A data certification plate will also display the logo of an accredited certification body (not the manufacturer) and most importantly, will often provide confirmation that the certification body is accredited to ISO/IEC 17065, a legal proof of standard under European law.
Two Marks Often Mistaken For Accredited European Certification
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) (UK)
The Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) (UK) is a mark commonly encountered in the Irish market. LPCB has issued "certification" plates for safes (European standard EN1143-1) and secure cabinets (European standard EN14450) for many years, despite the fact the body has never been an accredited certification body for the burglary resistance of safes, not even in the UK, according to the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). LPCB "certification" plates are in a similar format to properly accredited European certification, however, an ISO/IEC17065 accreditation which will be present on most accredited certification plates will be absent from an LPCB plate. The fact that LPCB claim to certify their own tests runs counter to any norms in Europe where both the tester and the certifier are legally required to be independent bodies. LPCB certification claims should not be confused with properly accredited European certification, which has a basis in European law as proof of standard, and on which all safe ratings in Europe are based. |
Nordtest NT FIRE 017 The most common unaccreited mark you will come across in the Irish market is without doubt the NT FIRE 017 mark. NT FIRE 017 is a conformity assessment of Nordtest originally founded in 1973 under the Nordic Council of Ministers. This is NOT a European standard. NT017 may be applied to safes and cabinets of identical construction to a tested unit, provided that the external volume of the untested units are not less than half of, and not more than twice the volume of the tested unit. This means in a series of five sizes it is usually only necessary that one unit is tested, leaving the majority of cabinets and safes marked NT017 in such a series not tested. Additionally internal heat during the NT017 test is measured by thermocouples (sensors used to measure temperature ) placed at the centre of internal panels rather than at the corners as is the case with European and US testing. This placement of thermocouples will of course produce a more favourable result as panels will heat from edges to the centre during a fire. Additionally, NT017 does not include a drop test to simulate structural collapse of the kind that would likely happen in an intense fire. |
Secure Storage Locking Options & Monitoring
Digital locking is the starting point for secure storage integration
In an industrial environment, where multiple staff and managers need access to secure storage, mechanical locking is an administrative and security nightmare. Keys are too easily copied or lost, while mechanical locks themselves are highly vulnerable to circumvention, breakage and ware. Certified digital locking is not only far more reliable and secure but also offers a wide range of features such as audit, time lock and duress that would be impossible with a mechanical lock. Digital locking is also the starting point for EN50131 compliant alarm integration. Most certified digital safe locks from class "B" upwards come with a range of basic features which will include alarm module compatibility, time delay and multi-user capability. Listed below are a range of features that can be added to a safe, data safe, strongroom or cabinet fitted with a certified digital safe lock. Some of these features are standard in a certified digital lock and some are optional extras that can be achieved with various lock and alarm integration combinations. All options listed are certified compliant with the EN1300 safe lock standard and the EN50131 alarm standard so can be used to integrate a safe, data safe or strongroom with a local alarm system, straight away or at a future date.
Penalty Lockout (Standard Feature) |
| The penalty lockout feature on a certified digital lock shuts the lock down for ten minutes if four or more incorrect codes are entered in a row making manipulation and random code entry attempts virtually impossible. This is a standard feature with all certified digital safe locks which has no equivalent with any mechanical lock type. |
Multi-user Codes (Standard Feature) |
| Most certified digital safe locks have multi-user codes which means no two people have to use the same code to access a safe. In a commercial setting this means an individual code can be removed at will by management. No need to worry that keys may have been copied etc.... |
Dual Codes (Standard Feature) |
| Most certified safe locks will allow or have a version that allows for dual code operation, which means two codes have to be entered to open the lock. Ideal in situations where dual person operation is preferred. |
Duress Silent Alarm (Extra Module Required) |
| Many certified digital locks can be added to your alarm system via an Alarm Module. With an Alarm module in place if a hold-up occurs addition of a digit to the normal access code will trigger a silent alarm. |
Time Delay Option (Standard Feature Class B,C,D) |
| A programmable time delay of 1 to 99 minutes is another standard option in all but the most basic electronic lock models with a time delay opening window that can be set from 1 to 15 minutes. This is a powerful anti hold-up measure. |
Time Lock (Keypad Type) |
| Time Lock gives you all the benefits of a bank level high security time lock system with built in audit. You can control when your safe can be accessed, by whom and download access logs from the lock telling you who opened the safe, when, and how long the safe door and lock was open. Up to 30 holidays can be programmed that override the normal schedule. Automatically adjusts for daylight saving time. We can even program a time lock schedule that restricts specific people’s access. |
Audit Trail (incorporated into most time locks) |
| A powerful feature of many digital locks is an audit trail which can be easily downloaded to a USB drive once you have the correct download code. This tells you who opened the lock, for how long, time, date and if there were any attempts to open the lock with an incorrect code. The standard audit trail is 1000 events. An audit trail can also be downloaded remotely directly from a compatible alarm system using an alarm module bolt position interface. |
Seismic Sensor (Extra Module Required) |
| As a properly anchored safe is secured to at least 5 tons, and a certified digital safe lock cannot be manipulated open, power tool attack or a prising attack is the only option left for a professional burglar. A Seismic Sensor will detect prising, cutting, drilling and heat attacks, but is not triggered by normal everyday use of the safe. What is particularly convenient about a seismic sensor is it is tamper proof and works 24/7 even when an alarm system is switched off. |
One Time Code (requires special lock type and set-up) |
| Easily retro fitted onto most existing safes or strongrooms, a One Time Code system (OTC) means that opening and closing is controlled by single use codes generated by a certified monitoring station after the identity of the person requiring access has been verified. The person accessing the safe or strongroom also requires their own personal code and a special key fob that records the opening and closing state of the lock. Time and date specific one-time codes can be issued in advance by the monitoring station for use within a 15-minute window, weeks, or months in advance. |
Certified Security / Fire / Noise Suppression / Anti Ballistic Doors
EN1627 Certified security / fire doors
There are many security doors on the market but few with EN1627 certification to European standards, even fewer with 60 minutes certified fire resistance to EI60 and even fewer again with sound suppression options to suit industrial applications. Our burglary tested security doors offer grade III EN1627 burglary resistance, are made to order, and tailored to meet specific size, furnishing, locking, surface and mission requirements. Doors are made of galvanised steel, primed and powder-coated and can come in sound suppression, fire resistance or anti-ballistic versions, with several locking options available, including integrated wiring to allow connection to an access control and alarm system. Integral locking systems come with drill protection. Door colour is available in most RAL and NCS colour charts. Standard size 9x21 or 10x21 but also available in special sizes of door opening in increments of 10 mm. Suitable for inside and outdoor installation.
Standard configuration:
- Certified burglary protection Grade 3 (EN 1627)
- Sound insulation 41dB
Nationwide Safe And Locksmith Services, Training, Support And Maintenance
Remote support & scheduled training
Certified Safes Ireland™ offer training and remote support to all of our clients, their staff, and on-site maintenance personnel, including, software installation and GDPR compliant management for audit and time locking, deposit safe cash drop scanning operation and back-office software, multi-user time lock and time delay lock programming and basic on-site trouble shooting, backed by an extensive range of specially recorded training and troubleshooting videos that is constantly being added to.
24/7 Technical service & support
Certified Safes Ireland™ offer an efficient and highly cost-effective safe, vault, and locksmith service to all our clients, including nationwide coverage, 7-day support and emergency lock opening. Our chief safe and strongroom technician is a licensed locksmith and a specialist in non-destructive lock or combination manipulation (Non-Destructive Entry - NDE) with vast industry experience in Ireland and Europe.
Maintenance
As part of a larger group, we can offer fast and efficient service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to attend planned maintenance, commissioning, repairs and call-out duties, not only on safes, strongrooms, security doors and locks, but on all types of data infrastructure, fire, alarm, CCTV and electrical equipment on a contract basis. Our group partners IC Services And Maintenance has built its reputation on efficient planned programmes and quick response. Our integration specialists are the best in their respective fields and are always up to date with relevant codes of practice and training.
For Free, Confidential Expert Advice Call: +353 1 7076011
Certified Safes Ireland™ in-house advisor on keeping jewellery, watch collections, goods, cash, documents and data, safe, secure, yet readily accessible, is Alan Donohoe Redd.
Alan Donohoe Redd is a member of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) Working Group responsible for writing European Standards for safes, strongrooms (vaults), secure cabinets and physical data protection for the European Union and a member of the U.S. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards Technical Panel TC72 covering standards for fire resistance of record protection devices. Alan is also a registered NATO supplier and a longstanding member of the European Security Systems Association. Alan has a vast range of experience spanning almost 40 years encompassing installation of safes, strongrooms, physical data protection, firearms security, secure storage of pharmaceuticals as well as access control, doors and equipment used for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) in government, military and I.T. sectors.
An expert on standards and fraud issues related to secure storage in Europe, the UK and the use of asbestos in European safe and cabinet manufacturing, Alan has had articles related to these subjects published by The Law Society Gazette and Irish Broker Magazine, has forced retractions of multiple false claims related to secure storage offerings to the public and has been pivotal in having misleading standards and practices recognised and withdrawn in Ireland, the UK and at a European level.
Alan's seminars on safes, strongrooms and high net worth secure storage have been part of Continuing Professional Development for underwriters and insurers having been awarded CPD points by the Insurance Institute of Ireland and the Chartered Insurance Institute (UK).
Alan's expertise has been relied on by:
N.A.T.O. Europe, The U.S. Air Force (Europe), The National Treasury Management Agency (Ireland), The Department Of Communications (NCSC Cyber Security) (Ireland), The Revenue Commissioners, The Department of Foreign Affairs, Electricity Supply Board (Cyber Security) (Ireland), The Danish Defence Forces (Afghanistan), PayPal (Worldwide), Grant Thornton, The Insurance Institute of Ireland, The Royal College Of Surgeons, An Garda Síochána (Irish police service), BFC Bank, Interxion Data Centres, Isle of Man Gold Bullion, Brown Thomas, Bvlgari, Boodles, Druids Glen, The Shelbourne Hotel, and many others ....
Standards
All of our safes have accredited European certification of burglary resistance, essential legal proof of standard to maintain insurance cover long term
Documentation
Accredited burglary resistance certification documents are provided with all of our safes. A certificate of anchorage is available on request for all safes we install
Insurance Liaison
We are uniquely qualified to liaise with your insurer regarding certification, alarm integration, or general risk assessment related to your choice of secure storage
