Security levels and resistance grades

The EN 1143-1 and EN 1143-2 standards define the requirements and testing procedures used to test strongboxes, strongroom doors and strongrooms (EN 1143-1) and deposit systems (drop-down safes, EN 1143-2) in terms of their anti-burglary protection.

These certifications are based on comprehensive burglary tests carried out by independent institutions such as VdS Schadenverhütung GmbH using various different mechanical and thermal break-in tools. Only safes that have successfully passed these tests receive the relevant inspection sticker as a quality seal from certification bodies such as the VdS or ESSA (European Security Systems Association) with their ECB-S testing institute.

Various resistance grades are then assigned depending on how long the safes are able to withstand the burglary tests. Generally speaking, these range from N (0) to 10 and are usually expressed in Roman numerals (from N (0) to X). The term “VdS class” is frequently used as an alternative to “resistance grade”.

The EN 14450 (VdS 2862) standard is what defines the testing procedure for security cabinets. A distinction is made here between security levels S1 and S2. The security requirements for this standard are less stringent than those stipulated by EN 1143-1, but more stringent than VDMA 24992.

Steel cabinets can be designated as security level A or B according to VDMA 24992 as long as the requirements of the VDMA Standard Sheet 24992 (issued May 1995) have been fulfilled as building regulations for these cabinets. The retraction of the Standard Sheet by the issuing VDMA on 31/12/2003 also put an end to market surveillance on this basis. Compliance with requirements is, however, still confirmed through a rating plate that features on our safes (own declaration of conformity). Further information on this subject can be found on the ESSA website.