How to Anchor a Steel Safe: Wall and Floor Installation Guide
How is a steel safe anchored to a wall or floor? We compare screw, wall plug and mounting set details by Mühlen model and cover 5 checks before installation.
Short answer: A steel safe is anchored to the wall or floor with the screw and wall plug set supplied with the product. The purpose of anchoring is to prevent the safe from tipping over and from being carried away without permission; in other words, however sturdy a safe is, if it can be carried off, so can its contents. Depending on the model, the Mühlen product pages state 2 screws, 4 screw slots, a wall plug set or a floor mounting template. Below we have collected which model is anchored in which way, and what you should check before installation.
Why Should a Safe Be Anchored?
On the Gun Safe 1320F product page, installation is described as anchoring to the wall and floor "to prevent tipping over and unauthorised removal"; the screw and wall plug set comes with the product. The same logic applies to money safes, key safes and fire-resistant safes. Short, light safes can be carried by hand; even heavy safes can easily be moved with equipment. Anchoring is the cheap part of security that must not be skipped.
Mounting Method by Model
| Mounting method | Models | Stated on the product |
|---|---|---|
| Wall or floor, 2 screws | Schutz 17W, 17B | 2 custom-made screws; to the floor or wall |
| Wall or floor, 4 screws | Schutz 25-LB, H-43 TA, H43-HQ | Custom-made 4-screw system |
| To the floor (lying down) or to the wall (upright) | Oben KS222 | 4 screw slots |
| To the wall, rear slot | Oben KS333 | 2 mounting slots at the back |
| To the wall, 2 screws | Schutz 60P, 80P, 100P | 2 screws for wall mounting |
| To the wall, mounting set | Shutz 50 T, Schutz 80-T | Wall and floor mounting set / wall anchoring screw |
| Wall, screw and wall plug set | Gun Safe 1320F, CS60, CS70 | Custom screw set / screw and wall plug set |
| Floor mounting set | Fire Safe 2087, 2092, 2096 | Mounting set; kit and template on the 2096 |
| Concrete or wooden wall | Key Box 60 | 2 mounting screws, steel wall plug and nut |
| Wall, screws with wall plugs | Safe Key 3 | 4 screws with wall plugs + 11 cm central screw with nut |
| Built into the wall | Wall 27-LB | Front and rear mounting surface (in-wall safe guide) |
5 Checks Before Installation
- Use the set supplied with the product. The screws and wall plugs are made for the model; the set contents on the product page (e.g. 4 screws with wall plugs and 1 long screw on the Safe Key 3) are what counts.
- Know your wall type. The Key Box 60 page states that it can be mounted on a concrete or wooden wall. On walls such as perforated brick, aerated concrete or plasterboard, the wall plugs supplied with the product may not be enough; in that case, get a tradesperson's opinion on choosing a suitable wall plug (this is general practice, not product page information).
- Allow for the door swing. On the Fire Safe series the door opens 180°; leave clearance on the hinge side.
- Use the template. The Fire Safe 2096's mounting template makes it easier to mark the hole positions.
- Separate the wheels and handles. The Fire Safe 2096 has a foldable carrying handle and a wheel system; the wheels can be removed after anchoring.
For heavy, large models (e.g. the MR 140A), the product page gives no screw or wall plug information; ask about the mounting method for these models before you buy.
Is Anchoring Enough on Its Own?
No. Anchoring makes it harder to remove the safe from its place; to protect the contents, body and door thickness, lock structure and alarm also matter. In our article how an alarm safe works you can read about the wrong-code and vibration alarm, and in our steel safe guide about the selection criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a safe anchored to the wall or floor?
To prevent it from tipping over and from being carried away without permission. The Gun Safe 1320F product page describes the purpose of installation in this way.
Do the screws and wall plugs come with the safe?
The product pages of the models in the table state that the screws, wall plugs or mounting set come with the product. The set contents vary by model; see the relevant product page for details.
Can a safe be mounted on both the floor and the wall?
The Oben KS222 has 4 screw slots for mounting lying down on the floor or upright on the wall. The Schutz 17W, 25-LB and H43 series can also be mounted on the floor or the wall.
What kind of wall can a key safe be mounted on?
According to the Key Box 60 page, it is easily mounted on a concrete or wooden wall; the Safe Key 3 comes with screws with wall plugs.
How is a fire-resistant safe anchored?
The Fire Safe 2087, 2092 and 2096 come with a floor mounting set; on the 2087 it is stated that installation preserves the insulation properties.
Related Content
- How to Choose a Home Safe
- How to Choose an In-Wall Safe
- How to Choose a Key Safe Box
- Installed Steel Safes · Steel Safes · Fire-Resistant Steel Safe
To ask about your safe's mounting method, get in touch with us.