Securing Vaults: Challenges, Standards, and EN 1143-1 Certification
Vaults are strategic infrastructures designed to protect high-value assets, sensitive documents, and critical data. They are used in various sectors that require maximum security against theft, break-ins, and destructive attacks.
The EN 1143-1 standard is the European reference for vault certification, defining resistance levels to break-in threats.
What are the security challenges?
- Protecting financial assets and valuables: bank vaults, jewelry stores, casinos.
- Preserving confidential documents within critical infrastructures: government archives, notarial studies, R&D laboratories, military bases.
- Preventing intrusions with heavy tools: drilling attempts, thermal cutting.
EN 1143-1: The reference standard for vaults in Europe.
The EN 1143-1 standard establishes a strict framework for testing and classifying vaults, safes, and secure doors based on their resistance to mechanical, electrical, and thermal attacks.
What elements are covered by this certification?
- Vaults and secure rooms: armored spaces for secure storage
- Vault doors: reinforced doors protecting access to sensitive areas
- Safes and security cabinets: for the protection of valuables and classified documents
Testing procedure according to EN 1143-1
Certification tests are conducted in accredited laboratories.
1. Situation setup and resistance testing
- A vault or secure door is installed in a real-world configuration.
- Experts attempt to force access using various tools and methods.
2. Types of attacks tested
- Mechanical attack: use of crowbars, hammers, metal saws.
- Electrical attack: use of grinders, drills, and angle grinders.
- Thermal attack: use of oxy-acetylene torches or plasma cutters.
3. Evaluation of results
Only after successfully creating an opening in the vault is the resistance level calculated, using a formula set out in the standard. This formula takes into account the contact time and the coefficient of each tool/charge used to form the defined opening, resulting in the “RU” value. This RU value means that attack times can vary depending on each scenario, based on the power of the tools used.
Download our guides on the EN 1143-1 standard
DOBK 0003 | Leaflet Bunkerkit® Flexofin® Strongroom
DOBK 0003 | Leaflet Bunkerkit® Flexofin® Strongroom
DOIC P050 | Vault room information
DOIC P050 | Vault room information
DOIC P051 | Comparison between EN 1627-1630 and EN 1143-1
DOIC P051 | Comparison between EN 1627-1630 and EN 1143-1
Why a specific standard for vaults, EN 1143-1 and not the classic anti-burglary standard EN 1627-1630?
The EN 1627-1630 standard is suited for secure doors and windows, designed to delay and complicate an intrusion. In contrast, the EN 1143-1 standard is dedicated to vaults, which must withstand heavy and prolonged attacks, ensuring a much higher level of protection.
- A much higher level of protection: a vault must resist prolonged attacks, whereas anti-burglary windows and doors aim to delay an intrusion and discourage attackers.
- A comprehensive security approach: unlike anti-burglary doors and windows, a vault is a complete structure validated on all six sides, including armored walls, a reinforced door, an advanced locking system, and sometimes anti-intrusion sensors.
- Heavier attack methods: criminals targeting a vault are often equipped with sophisticated equipment, requiring tests simulating the use of mechanical, electrical, and especially thermal tools, even from the first grade of resistance.
EN 1143-1 Classification, certification, and insurance requirements
Vaults certified according to EN 1143-1 are classified into resistance grades, ranging from Grade 0 to Grade XIII. The higher the grade, the more the structure is capable of withstanding prolonged break-in attempts with sophisticated tools, making it more resistant and suitable for high-risk sites (central banks, government institutions, military facilities). The resistance levels are calculated using the RU formula described in our guide.
Insurance companies require official certification before covering the assets stored inside a vault.
Insurable amounts are defined by insurance companies and vary depending on the country, the types of contents to be insured, and specific risks. These amounts are classified according to the EN 1143-1 grading.
| Grade EN 1143-1 | Indicative insurable ratings in the UK |
|---|---|
|
Grade 0 |
Up to £6,000 in cash and £60,000 in valuables |
|
Grade I |
Up to £10,000 in cash and £100,000 in valuables |
|
Grade III |
Up to £35,000 in cash and £350,000 in valuables |
|
Grade V |
Up to £100,000 in cash and £1,000,000 in valuables |
|
Grade VI |
Up to £150,000 in cash and £1,500,000 in valuables |
|
Grades VII à XIII |
Maximum protection (several million £) for banks, jewelry stores and vault rooms |
Certification par l’ECB-S
European certification by the ECB-S
After passing the tests, certification by an independent laboratory such as CNPP (France), VdS (Germany), ECB-S (Europe) ensures the client that the vault manufactured complies with the sample tested in the laboratory.
The manufacturer is required to comply with regular audits, both within the company (checking quality, processes, and traceability) and in the field (verifying conformity between the tested product and the one delivered to the client). The frequency of these audits varies depending on the certification bodies throughout the validity period of the certificate (for example, ECB-S conducts between four and eight inspections).
Why choose Metal Quartz and its Bunkerkit® Flexofin® range for your vaults?
- Tested and validated vaults → Guaranteed resistance according to the EN 1143-1 standard
- European certification by an independent laboratory: certification of our vaults by ECB-S (European Certification Body)
- Customizable, lightweight, and modular solutions: tailored to the specific needs of each configuration
- Compliance with European requirements: certified manufacturing controlled by ISO 9001 and EN 1143-1
