Burglary Rating Guide
RSC, B-Rate, TL-15, TL-30 — what these ratings mean and which one you need.
Why burglary ratings matter
A burglary rating tells you how long a safe resisted a controlled physical attack using specific tools. Higher ratings mean thicker steel, better lock protection, and more resistance to prying, drilling, and cutting. Insurance companies often require specific ratings for coverage.
RSC (Residential Security Container)
The entry-level tested rating. RSC safes must resist 5 minutes of attack using common hand tools (pry bars, hammers, screwdrivers). Most residential gun safes and home safes carry this rating. Adequate for basic protection against opportunistic theft.
B-Rate and C-Rate
B-Rate safes have a minimum 1/2-inch steel body and 1-inch steel door. C-Rate safes have 1-inch steel body and 1-inch steel door. These are construction-based ratings (steel thickness) rather than attack-tested ratings. Common for commercial applications.
TL-15 and TL-30
TL (Tool-resistant, Listed) ratings mean the safe resisted attack for 15 or 30 minutes using hand tools, power tools, and cutting equipment. TL-30 is the standard for jewelry stores, high-value storage, and insurance requirements. These safes weigh significantly more than RSC-rated safes.
TRTL-30 and higher
TRTL (Torch and Tool Resistant, Listed) adds resistance to cutting torches on top of tool resistance. TRTL-30x6 means all six sides of the safe are rated (not just the door). These are vault-level ratings for the highest-value storage needs.
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