ATM security: how is your money protected by safes meeting the UL 291 standard?

 

Most of the ATM machines you see in pubs, convenience stores, supermarkets, clubs and other retail locations, come with two types of safes or security cabinets for securing money. One type of ATM safe is the Business Hours (BH) safe and the other the 24 Hours Level 1 safe. Both safes have to meet the UL 291 security standard designed by Underwriters Laboratories, an independent product-safety testing company. This standard requires that the ATM machine has to offer a degree of protection against unauthorized removal of currency and the removal or manipulation of transaction records. In other words, ATMs with either type of safe must withstand attacks from someone trying to rob money or change the transaction records. Both type of ATM safes have environmental and endurance requirements.

 

a) Business Hours ATM machine

 

An ATM machine with a Business Hours safe is designed to store cash only during business hours under the watchful eye of a responsible owner, manager, or employee. The money stored in this type of safe should be removed at the close of the business day. The metal of the Business Hours ATM machine can withstand a physical attack from a robber armed with wires, lines, chisels, pry bars, or wrenches for at least five minutes. This gives enough time for the store owner, manager, or employee to call the police. A business-hour ATM that meets the UL 291 standard usually weighs 125 kg.

 

b) 24 Hours Level 1 ATM machine

 

ATMs with Level 1 safes are designed for use 24 hours a day. They weigh around 250 kg and can hold cash unattended. The steel of the Level 1 safe can withstand physical pressure of 50,000 psi. This type of ATM is designed to withstand an attack, using fishing, trapping, and forcing techniques, on the currency container from the customer access panel for 30 minutes.  Attacks on other portions of the safe, using picks and portable electric tools like drills and grinders, can be resisted by this type of safe for up to 15 minutes. All of our ATM models have the ATM safe separated from the customer access panel area, which is an extra security feature that makes ATM fraud and robbery that much more difficult.

 

c) Environmental requirements

 

All ATM machines have to withstand 85% humidity for 24 hours. This ensures that all ATMs maintain records and the quality of the currency in the cash dispenser.

 

For more information on the technical aspects of ATM security for our Triton models click here.

 

 

Home   About us  Our products   Our services   FAQs   Small Business Resources   Contact us   ATM Security and 3DES