General Safe Questions

1. Are safes fireproof, waterproof, or burglarproof?

   Generally, safes are neither waterproof nor burglarproof. A more realistic definition is that they are "resistant" to water and burglary; meaning they will withstand heat, tool attacks and severe conditions over a specific period of time. Safes are classified as to the level of "resistance" they are designed to withstand. Unless you have specifically selected a safe that is designed to be a waterproof safe, to ensure your contents are protected from water (especially for floor safes), we suggest you place the contents in a waterproof container or zip lock bag. One safe manufacturer, Honeywell, has a tested "waterproof" and "fireproof" safe with an Underwriters Lab fire rating.  It is important to note that this is NOT a burglar and fire safe but a fireproof/waterproof safe.

   For more information about the differences between safe types, please see "The Differernt Types of Safes" page.
   

2. Can I bolt my safe to the floor or ground?
   Yes, in most cases -- and we strongly recommend you bolt your safe to the floor. Most safe manufacturers have factory installed anchor bolt holes or a bolt-down kit. Read the description of the safe on our web site to see if the safe has anchor holes. If the safe does not have a factory installed anchor hole, drilling an anchor hole(s) through the safe body may affect the burglar and/or fire rating and performance of your safe so we recommend that you contact us prior to drilling a hole. Your best option is to contact a local locksmith to bolt down your safe. They will have the knowledge and tools to do this job correctly. 
3. Does a safe need maintenance?

   Yes, the internal mechanisms of a lock are precisely manufactured and over a period of time and use, the locks, bolts and hinges will need cleaning, lubrication and adjustment. We recommend that you contact a local "locksmith" or "safe technician" in your area every 2-3 years to have your lock serviced.  You can find them in the Yellow Pages under Locksmiths or Safe Technicians.

4. What if I need service on my safe?

   Many local locksmiths or safe technicians in your area may have the ability to properly service your safe. Look in your local yellow pages under "Locksmiths" or "Safe Technicians". You may also contact the safe's manufacturer for a list of certified service professionals in your area. Click here for a list of major manufacturers with links to their web sites.

5. Why do I see less expensive safes in chain stores?
   Hardware, office products, and "Big Box" stores typically offer an entry-level fire rated safe or lock box. While these safes may offer some degree of protection, you will not find these types sold on our site. Entry level safes may not have a burglar or fire rating or an Underwriters Laboratory rated high security lock. We caution you to learn about the safe before you buy from these stores that sell many other items besides safes.
   

Fire Rated Safes

1. Can I place paper money (cash) in a fire rated safe?

   While storage of a small amount of cash may be acceptable for overnight storage, Safe and Vault Store does not recommend you place a large amout of cash in a fire rated only safe. Fire safes are built to withstand the ravages of a fire and most fire safes offer only a light degree of burglary protection and are not engineered or designed for burglary resistance. If you need help selecting the right safe for your specific needs and budget, please contact our online safe experts to help you.
   

2. Can I place photos and negatives in a fire safe?
   Unfortunately, no. Photos and photo negatives are meant to be protected by a safe specially made for this type of material. These safes are called "data/meda safes" and are engineered to keep temperatures inside the safe below 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
3. Can I store computer diskettes in a standard fire safe?

   Unfortunately, no. A standard fire safe is rated and tested to keep the interior of the safe cool enough so that paper does not char or burn; usually 350 degrees Fahrenheit or less. During a fire, paper is more durable than media and will tolerate wider ranges of heat and humidity. Media material, such as computer diskettes, CDs and tapes are much more fragile and must be kept in an environment that will stay below 125 degrees Fahrenheit and 80% humidity.
   

   Click here to browse through our selection of data and media safes or contact a Safe and Vault Store professional for more information.
   

Burglary Rated Safes

1. Will a burglary rated safe protect my contents from fire damage?
   Not likely. A burglary rated safe is typically made of hardened steel and designed to withstand an attack by tools (hammers, chisels, etc), not fire. Safes rated for burglary resistance only, lack the special fire resistant insulate necessary to keep the interior from reaching damaging temperatures. Consider a burglar/fire safe which will provide BOTH burglar and fire resistance.
   
   Safe and Vault Store offers a wide variety of safes to suit virtually any need. Please contact us to help you select the best safe that meets your needs and budget.
   

Combinations and Locks

1. Can I change my safe combination?
   For standard mechanical combination locks it is not recommended. However, electronic locks are manufactured so that the owner can easily change the combination by following the supplied manual. Please see our Operating Manuals section for more information on how to change your electronic lock combination. Mechanical combination locks require a special tool and training to successfully change combinations without damaging the mechanism or accidentally locking yourself out of the safe. We encourage you to contact a certified safe professional in your area. They can usually be found by looking in your local yellow pages under 'Safes and Vaults'. Look for the icon on the right in their yellow page ad or ask their technician whether their business is a member of SAVTA (Safe and Vault Technicians Association). SAVTA members are highly qualified safe professionals.
   
   If you are unable to locate a qualified safe technician in your area, then contact your safe's manufacturer for a recommendation or contact us. Safe and Vault Store maintains a network of qualified safe technicians across the nation and we may be able to offer you a referral.
   
2. Is an electronic lock less secure than a standard combination lock?

   Electronic locks go through the same Underwriters Laboratory testing that mechanical combination locks do. They both have U.L. listings for security. The benefits of having a electronic lock over a combination lock is that the owner may personally change the combination and they are very convenient to use.
   

3. What happens if I forget the safe combination?

   For security reasons, Safe and Vault Store does not retain records on safe combinations. Your safe will typically be sent to you with a factory issued combination and only your safe's manufacturer has the original combination. This is as long as you did not change the factory programmed combination. Visit our list of major manufacturers for their contact information. You will need the model name and serial number of your safe when contacting the manufacturer. If you are unable to locate these two items, please contact us and we will try to locate the information for you. We recommend that you write your safe combination on a card and give it to a trusted family member or freind. DO NOT keep the combination in writing at your home or office -- or in the safe. If you forget your combination, then you can contact the person with your combination card.
   

4. What if the batteries go dead in an electric lock?

   Before the batteries go dead the lock emits multiple audible chirps (similar to those emitted by a smoke detector alarm) to alert the user that the batteries need to be changed.   Your private combination will be stored in a "non-volatile" memory chip inside the electronic lock.  If you are gone for several weeks, your private combination code will remain stored in the memory chip.  Simply replace the 9 volt battery in the lock and your private combination code will still work.

   If for some reason the battery is completely dead, your combination will still be stored and accessible once you replace the battery.
   

Keys

1. Where can I get a duplicate key to my safe or filing cabinet?
   For duplicate keys, please contact the manufacturer of of your safe or filing cabinet. Safe and Vault Store does not manufacture the safes, so you will need to contact the manufacturer direct. Click here for a list of manufacturers and contact numbers.
   

Warranties

1. What is the warranty on my safe?
   Manufacturers have varying warranties, depending on the type of product. If you need help determining the warranty of your safe, please contact us. For all warranty issues, you will need to deal directly with the manufacturer. Your warranty period begins on the date you receive your product. Most safe warranties are one-year, however, some safes have a Lifetime Limited Warranty. Please visit our warranty page for complete details on our warranties, terms, limitations and exclusions.
   

Shipping, Installation, and Payment

1. Are orders available for pickup from the factory or distributor?
   Unfortunately, no. Manufacturer and distributor policies and insurances prohibit customer "will call" pickups from the plant and/or distributor facilities. You may arrange for pickup from freight carrier company terminals only. If you desire terminal pickup, please select the Terminal Pickup option under delivery type during checkout. For more detailed information about this subject, please see our Shipping Policy.
   
2. How can I get my safe installed inside my home or office?
   For products 100 pounds and over, the item will be sent by a freight truck which provides curb-side delivery only. To move the product into your home or business we offer an Inside Delivery service. You may select this service at the time of checkout. Inside delivery of your product(s) is available through Home Direct, a nationwide company specializing in inside delivery. Visit our Inside Delivery page for complete details on inside delivery of your product(s).
   
3. How will my safe be shipped?
   All products under 100 pounds will be shipped via UPS Ground. Products over 100 pounds will be shipped via an LTL Freight Carrier. LTL Freight shipments are "curbside delivery" only. If you desire the safe inside your home or business, we offer inside delivery which may be selected and paid for during the checkout process. Please visit our Shipping Policy page or our Inside Delivery page for complete details.
   
4. Is freight and/or installation included in the price?
   Dock-to-Dock Freight (not including a lift gate) is included with FireKing and Schwab products. If you need a lift gate, then an additional $85.00 fee is added by the shipping company.  On all other Manufacturers products, freight and handling is calculated separately from the price of the product. Freight/shipping costs will be itemized in the checkout cart and calculated based on your shipment destination zip code.
   
   Please note: Safe and Vault Store offers curb side delivery only, unless the Inside Delivery option is selected at time of checkout.
   
   If you require inside delivery of your safe(s), you may pay for this service through the checkout cart at the time of checkout. Please visit Inside Delivery of your safe page for complete details on inside delivery.
   
5. What payment methods do you accept?
   Safe and Vault Store accepts all major credit cards, personal or company checks and/or cashiers check. When paying by check, please allow an additional 10 days for your check to clear before we fully process your order.
   
   We also accept Paypal and Google Checkout. Certain qualified businesses and institutions may apply for a purchase order method.
   

Returns

1. What is your return policy?
   Please visit our returns page for complete details.