Description
Product description
The CHATEL range has been planned and designed by Fichet-Bauche to provide rational security equipment for incorporation into a more comprehensive system of protection (including, for example, electronic alarms) which will depend on the level of risk specified by the security officer. Fichet-Bauche specialists are available to assist him in assessing the situation.
Factors affecting the choice of safe
The ability of a safe to withstand the efforts of potential thieves is a quality which it is particularly hard to define. The tools used to violate safes are highly varied and include:
mechanical tools, e.g. drills, wedges, disc cutters and jacks,
thermal equipment (oxyacetylene cutters), and
explosives.
Apart from this, the client has to bear a wide range of factors in mind when choosing an appropriate safe, for instance:
the importance of the articles to be kept in the safe,
the place in which the safe is to be installed, and
any additional security provided by the surroundings.
Fichet-Bauche know-how
Besides the armour-plating to withstand attacks by modern portable drills, the walls of CHATEL safes are constructed to resist stubbornly and retard the effects of thermal equipment such as oxyacetylene cutters.
The design, security, layout and diversity of the various parts making up the locking mechanism of CHATEL safes are the outcome of Fichet-Bauche know-how gained from 150 years of professional experience.
The pleasing appearance of the CHATEL range has been one of our prime concerns.
The doors, which are mounted on inside pivots, swing open to a full 180°. They are, in fact, provided with a system of double pivots.
Every design feature gives that added security.
The few examples which we give below are only intended to illustrate some of the points which are vital to the effectiveness of a safe. It is wrong to think that this effectiveness lies merely in the strength of the walls.
The interlocking grooves
The doors and bodies of CHATEL safes are provided with recessed sections designed to interlock when the door is closed. This arrangement gives additional protection against fire and helps to frustrate any attempt to separate the door from the body of the safe.
The sliding bolts
All the bolts fitted to CHATEL safes have a sliding mechanism which greatly increases the ability of the safes to withstand the tractive forces exerted when attempts are made to pull the door away from the body.
The time lock
From model 182 upwards, safes can be fitted with time locks which prevent them from being opened for periods up to 160 hours at the client’s wishes.
Fixing
Normally, all CHATEL safes are provided with holes in the base of the safe to accommodate fixing bolts.
Inside alarm system
The fitting of an inside alarm system can be performed as a standard operation without any difficulty.
Deposit facilities
A deposit drawer (side or rear entry) is available on CHATEL 182 -305 -471 sizes.
High-security locking mechanisms.
Fichet-Bauche are one of the few safe manufacturers in the world who design and make all their lock mechanisms and combinations. This fact, in itself, is a prime guarantee of reliability and independence.
The basic version of the CHATEL safe is equipped with the following locking devices:
The main key lock
This “M2i” lock is precision-made and is operated by a circular 7-lever Key which is neither marked nor capable of imitation. The locking mechanism is made to suit its own specific Key.
The combination lock
The “Monocommande” combination lock provides the virtually inexhaustible possibilities of 63 million actual combinations. The device, which is extremely simple to use, has been designed to frustrate any attempt to establish the combination illicitly by “feel”.
Should any attempt be made on the door or the locking mechanism with thermal or mechanical equipment, or with explosives, a number of relocking devices, which are kept in a state of permanent readiness, are shot home and block the door securely in the closed position, additionally live relocking devices go into operation each time the door is locked.
The double-purpose handle
The handle comprises a moving part for operating the bolts and a fixed part for opening and closing the door. If requested, other locking mechanisms can be fitted to this range of safes.
Effective protection against theft and fire.
Fichet-Bauche, who keep abreast of the new techniques and styles employed by thieves throughout the world, incorporate in their safes a number of protective features which greatly impede the efforts of the safebreaker. The CHATEL safes represent one of the results of this constant research combined with Fichet-Bauche’s long experience in this particular field.
Double protection
The essential purpose of a safe is to protect its contents against theft. At the same time, it should also afford adequate protection in case of fire. CHATEL safes do provide this additional safeguard.
Testing resistance to fire
On 15th February, 1977, a CHATEL 305 safe successfully underwent a test of its resistance to fire carried out by the Scientific and Technical Centre for Building Construction (C.S.T.B.) in Champs-sur-Marne.
In this test, papers are placed inside the safe which is then bolted and heated in a furnace for a period of 60 minutes up to a temperature of 925 °C. Remember that paper ignites spontaneously at 177 °C, even when not in contact with an open flame.
A conclusive test
The protection against fire provided by Fichet-Bauche was shown to be effective. During this test, the inside temperature of the CHATEL safe did not rise above 100 °C. The documents placed inside were recovered intact.