What is a drop safe? Designs, security levels and locks at a glance

A drop safe is a safe with an opening for deposits: cash, envelopes or keys go in while the safe itself stays shut. Thanks to a retrieval safeguard, nothing that has been dropped in can be pulled back out; the contents can only be removed by someone with the key or code. “Deposit safe” is simply another name for a drop safe.

Drop safe and deposit safe: the same unit under two names

Technically, a drop safe and a deposit safe are identical. DiaDorn uses both terms for the same units: the description of model 12101 calls it a deposit safe, and the category with 12101, 12201 and 12203 is named “Deposit safes with throw-in slot”. The product details also refer to the throw-in opening as the deposit opening. What does vary is the design – throw-in slot, drop-down flap or drawer – and the security level, A or B. You will find every model under Deposit safes.

A bank night safe is a separate thing: banks and savings banks provide it so that registered customers can lodge cash outside counter hours. A drop safe, on the other hand, sits on your own premises. The article Night safe gone? How shops and restaurants secure their takings when the bank branch closes explains how it takes the place of the bank’s night safe.

Slot, flap or drawer: the three designs

Drop safe with throw-in slot

The slot takes cash and envelopes. Compact models in security level A measure 300 × 280 × 260 mm, have a capacity of 21.84 l and a throw-in slot of 20 × 150 mm. Their compact size means they can be fitted into service counters, shop counters or cabinets. Take the Drop safe with slot – PIN code, trade customers, for example: it has an electronic PIN code lock and weighs 13.4 kg. Among the heavy security level B models, the 12201 has a deposit opening of 230 × 30 mm. See all models: Deposit safes with throw-in slot.

Drop safe with drop-down flap

The flap accepts cash bags, envelopes and keys. It measures 70 × 225 × 190 mm. In security level A, the standard-height body is 450 × 280 × 300 mm with a volume of 35 l; the tall 10523 and 10524 stand 650 mm high and hold 54 l. Security level B offers the flap on the 10423 and 10424. See all models: Deposit safes with drop-down flap.

Drop safe with drawer

The 13201, 13202 and 13203 take deposits through a drawer that has a 200 × 126 mm opening and a lock of its own. Once the drawer is locked, its base opens and the contents fall into the lower part of the safe.

Protection against retrieval

Every DiaDorn drop safe with slot, flap or drawer is fitted with a retrieval safeguard. It stops notes that have been dropped in from being pulled back out. Depositing works without a key, but only authorised people can open the safe. Staff can therefore drop the daily takings in while the business is running or after their shift ends, without ever getting at the contents.

Security level A versus B

Each DiaDorn safe has either security level A or security level B and is built according to VDMA 24992. Security level A models are single-walled, with a 3 mm wall and a 6 mm door. In security level B, the 10423 and 10424 are double-walled, with an overall thickness of 40 mm. The 12101, 12201, 12203 and 13201 to 13203 have a concrete filling and weigh from 131 kg to 267 kg.

How much cash is covered is up to your insurer. Our insurance assessment, based on experience:

• Security level A: approx. €1,500 in cash
• Security level B, models 10423, 10424 and 12101: up to approx. €2,500
• Security level B, models 12201, 12203 and 13201 to 13203: up to approx. €10,000

For the concrete-filled models, see Heavy-duty drop safes.

Anchoring the safe

A drop safe needs to be anchored securely. Weight makes it more difficult to remove, but it does not replace anchoring. Compact models with slot or flap can be anchored to the wall and the floor, and the same goes for the 10423 and 10424. Floor anchoring applies to the 10103, 10125, 10126, 10127, 10181 and 10187, and to the heavy 12101, 12201 and 12203. The drawer models 13201 to 13203 come prepared for floor anchoring. Installation uses every fixing point, with the safe directly against the wall or floor and no gap. Fastening material is supplied.

Lock options

• Double-bit key lock: supplied with 2 keys as standard. The 101013 to 101015 (slot) and 101233 to 101235 (flap) share the same design but come with 3, 4 or 5 keys.
• Electronic PIN code lock: the 10102 has one master code and one user code.
• Fingerprint and PIN code: with slot, the 10105 and 10115; with flap, the 10127 and 10187.
• Four-eyes principle with two locks: the 10201 (slot) and 10223 (flap) are opened jointly by two people, each with their own key. The 12203 combines a PIN code with a key; the door will only open when both are used.
• Security level B with drop-down flap: the 10423 is fitted with a high-security key lock (lock certified to VdS Class A – the certification covers the lock, not the safe). The 10424 has the Easthouse SafeLogic C10 electronic combination lock (lock certified to VdS Class 2 – the certification covers the lock, not the safe), offering an opening delay of 1 to 40 minutes.

Typical uses for drop safes

Drop safes are used in hospitality and retail – in restaurants, cafés, bars, bakeries, drugstores and boutiques. Flap models are common in car dealerships, repair workshops and vehicle rental businesses, holding daily takings and vehicle keys. Churches and parishes can use offertory boxes such as the 10508, which has a throw-in slot on top. Drop safes are designed for indoor use.

Delivery and shipping

Since 2013, DiaDorn has been producing drop safes for business customers. Within Germany, stock items arrive in 1–2 working days and shipping there is free; deliveries to other countries take longer, depending on the destination. Heavy models are delivered by freight forwarder to the kerbside.