How at risk is the UK to flooding?

Currently 1 in 6 properties in the UK are at risk of flooding and this is only set to increase due to climate change. Rising sea levels along with heavier rain fall combined doesn't make the situation any easier.

With the winter of 2021 now here, naturally the weather conditions will worsen over the next few months across the UK.

Parts of the UK are already bracing for heavy rainfall and floods such as Cumbria and Scotland.

The loss of precious and valuable items that are unable to be replaced can be devastating such as photographs, children’s favourite toys and antiques.

Flash floods, heavy rainfall and flooding can cause devastating damage to your home or business. The stress and anxiety in dealing with these issues after the flooding has occurred can be emotionally difficult for anyone to deal with.

Flooding can also occur internally in a home or a business with burst pipes or structural issues that may have happened suddenly.

How can floods affect your home or business?

• Property Damage
• Emotionally
• Loss of Life
• Local Infrastructure

Health and Safety

• Electrical and structural damage
• Sanitary risks
• Land damage
• Plus much more

How does a water resistant safe work?

Each water resistant or waterproof safe is individually tested up to a certain depth and time length during the testing validation process. The safes are submerged into water tanks with regular monitoring within the testing.

After the assessment is complete the manufacturer will then state how long the documents/contents stayed dry for during that period and under what height it was submerged.

ETL Verified Protection

ETL is an independent company that tests and grades each safe that has been provided by the supplier. After the testing has been completed they will give each product a certification mark such as below.

“ETL Verified for X hours of protection within water and up to X centimetres/millimetres of water.”

Are there many options available to purchase?

Water resistant safes are not as common as fireproof safes in the market but there is still a good selection to choose from.

Sentrysafe has been the main provider of water resistant safes over the past few years but Phoenix have now produced their own version recently.

With this is in mind, we have done a short review on the water resistant safes that are available from Phoenix and Sentrysafe.

Products in Review -

Phoenix Titan Aqua

The Titan Aqua from Phoenix is a well designed fireproof safe that offers 60 minutes fire protection along with water resistance of up to 200mm of water for 24 hours. It has been tested against water and it has a good level of protection for 24 hours to protect your cash or valuables.

One of the great features of the Aqua is that it also offers a good cash/valuables insurance rating along with 1 hour fire protection for paper and digital media.

Pros and Cons in Short

• Cash Rating £2,000 / valuables rating £20,000
• 1 hour protection for paper and digital media
• Water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours
• Supplied with removable shelf
• Comes with internal light
• Solid boltwork with 25mm diameter steel live locking bolts
• Can only be anchored to the base
• Not ETL verified

Phoenix Titan Aqua Model Range

In total there are 3 Phoenix Titan Aqua safes which differ in size. They are all water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours.

SentrySafe SFW082GTC Data Safe

The SFW082GTC from Sentrysafe is an excellent all round safe that covers most areas such as fire protection, water resistance and cash/valuables insurance rating. The advantage with the Sentrysafe is that it has been verified by ETL independently for fire and water.

The 082GTC can stand in up to 5" of water for up to 24 hours, whilst the 250GPC is 9" and the 123FTC is 8" of water.

Pros and Cons in Short

• ETL Verified 60 minutes fire protection for digital media and paper
• Interior light included
• Water resistant up to 200mm of water for 24 hours
• Suitable for floor fixing
• Small internal tray included
• Cash Rating £1,000 / valuables rating £10,000
• ETL Verified water resistance - can stand in up to 5" of water for up to 24 hours
• Batteries not included

SentrySafe Model Range

In total there are 3 Sentrysafes which are different in size, they all differ in water resistance as shown below in the table.

Need advice?

If you have any questions on our Sentrysafes or Phoenix Aqua range, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Today the Phoenix Fortress Pro SS1442E is ready for a review and another expert assessment.

The Fortress Pro from Phoenix has just been launched with some excellent features and has been manufactured to a very high standard. The pro offers 60 minutes fire protection for paper documents and has an insurance rating of £4,000 for cash and £40,000 for valuables.

Pros and Cons in Short

• Certified by ECB.S class S2 according to EN 14450
• 60 minutes fire protection for paper
• AiS insurance and Secured by Design – Police Approved
• High security digital electronic lock (EN 1300 approved)
• Certified by ECB.S class LFS30P according EN 15659
• Handy pull out tray for small items
• Modern design
• Cannot be anchored to the back wall

Phoenix Fortress Pro Models

In total there are 8 fortress pro safes which differ in size. They all offer the same specifications and features but just differ in size.

Positives

Fire Protection: One of the massive advantages of the Fortress Pro is the excellent fire protection of 60 minutes for paper documents. Safes normally around this price bracket do not offer a good level of cash/valuables insurance cover along with fire protection. So the Fortress Pro covers ever area!

Security Protection: In combination with the fire protection, the pro offers excellent protection against burglary attack. it has also been designed to match up with the latest European S2 Standards which provides greater reassurance when storing cash or valuables.

AiS and Secured by Design: The Pro has a massive positive with being approved by AiS (British Association of Insurance Surveyors) along with Secured by Design (the Police Preferred Specification). In comparison to similar specification safes the Pro is top of the list when compared against other safes.

Value for Money: The overall value for money of the Fortress Pro is excellent if you take into consideration all of the features mentioned in the above pros list. For the amount being paid for the safe you are being provided with an excellent safe to protect your cash, valuables or documents.

Quality: The construction quality of the Pro has been completed to an excellent standard. The safe is supplied with anti-drilling plates and has three way live locking bolts with also fixed dog bolts. This creates a door with massive strength and provides resistance to attack.

Negatives

Rear Wall Fixing : The main negative with the Phoenix Fortress Pro is that you are unable to anchor the safe to the rear wall and only able to fix it to the base. Please take this into consideration if you are planning to install the safe.

Expert Review - Phoenix Fortress Pro SS1442E

The Phoenix Fortress SS1442E Pro review has now been concluded and after taking all things into consideration the Pro is an excellent safe that provides fantastic security for your cash, valuables or documents.

The good selection of model sizes and locking types will cater for all customers requirements. The pro provides excellent value for money along with a high quality product compared to other competitors.

Price/performance is very good.

View the SS1442E on our website