Products + Tools

The role of fasteners and fixings in safe security is crucial but often overlooked. Here, Keynetics explains why the choice of fixings can be the final deciding factor as to whether a key safe passes or fails during an attack test.

Any security product that is fixed to a substrate in a public space is generally only as secure as its fixings. Key safes are no exception. The integrity of a key safe isn’t solely reliant on its resistance to tampering and vandalism, although this is undeniably crucial. The quality and size of the fixings used to attach it to a wall are equally pivotal.

Without secure security fixings, the key safe runs the risk of being easily removed from a wall in a matter of minutes, if not seconds, potentially leading to a property break-in, costly key and lock replacements, and undermining end users’ confidence not only in a specific product, but in the entire concept of keys storage at the point of entry – all due to a single underperforming key safe fixing. 

When it comes to key safe fixings, size matters. It is common sense that when under attack, chunky, large structural bolts would hold a key safe in place far more effectively than smaller anchors or mere woodscrews, which some key safe brands offer as a standard securing method. However, numerous professionally executed attack tests that Keynetics has conducted underscores that the quantity and quality of fixings is equally important. When tested in ‘real world’ scenarios, fixings of identical size do not necessarily ensure identical performance. 

Keynetics’ accreditation with LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board) encompasses two critical facets of key safe robustness – attacking the key safe itself and detaching it from a substrate. The latter is significantly dependent on both the fixings used and the product’s design. 

For Keynetics, this means conducting extensive research into fixings and ongoing testing, which sometimes includes a trial and error approach to identify the best performing fixings for the key safe applications. Furthermore, the company provides different types of fixings sourced from selected suppliers, all based on the type of substrate, such as brick, concrete or metal.

While key safe installation may seem straightforward and takes little time, it must be done correctly to eliminate potential security risks, especially in commercial applications, which is why Keynetics offers a nationwide installation service for all key safes. Alternatively, full training and support materials are provided to clients’ installers to ensure the process is executed correctly, preventing any missteps that could compromise key safes’ security rating and certifications, as well as providing reassurance to end users that keys are stored safely.