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Alpine Safes

What Safe Rating Do I Need?

A plain-English comparison of every safe rating, from basic RSC to vault-grade TRTL.

Rating overview

Safe ratings fall into two categories: fire protection (tested by time) and burglary resistance (tested by attack). Fire ratings range from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Burglary ratings range from RSC (basic) to TRTL-30x6 (vault-grade). Most buyers need one from each category.

Quick comparison

RSC: basic home protection, entry-level price. B-Rate: thicker steel, commercial use. TL-15: serious security for jewelry and valuables. TL-30: high security for stores, offices, high-value collections. TRTL-30: maximum protection, vault-class.

Insurance requirements

Your insurance company may specify a minimum rating for coverage. Jewelry insurance often requires TL-15 or TL-30. Business insurance may require B-Rate or higher for cash storage. Check your policy before buying — the right rating can lower your premiums.

How to choose

Match the rating to the value and risk. A $500 handgun in a suburban home needs RSC. A $50,000 jewelry collection needs TL-30. A restaurant's daily cash needs a B-Rate depository. When in doubt, go one level higher than you think you need — you can't upgrade a safe's rating after purchase.

Related Resources

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