Installation Information

At Safe Central, we install safes across a wide range of property types and situations. This page is designed to help you understand what's involved in your installation, what you need to prepare, and where your responsibilities as the property owner or tenant begin.

As a licensed security business, Safe Central holds a Security Agents Licence issued through Western Australian Police Licensing. All of our installers hold individual Class 1 Security Installer and Consultant licences under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996. We carry full public liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance.

If you have questions about your specific installation, contact us before booking and we'll be happy to talk it through.

Standard Installations

A standard installation is the most common type of safe installation we carry out. It involves mechanically fixing your safe to a concrete slab using anchor bolts — the most secure and reliable method available for residential and commercial properties.

What to expect:

• Our installer will assess the location you've chosen and confirm it's suitable
• We'll drill anchor points into the concrete slab and bolt the safe down using appropriate fixings for the safe model and floor type
• The job is typically completed within an hour for a standard residential installation
• We'll demonstrate the locking mechanism and confirm everything is operating correctly before we leave

Choosing your location:

It's worth thinking about where you want your safe before we arrive. Consider access (can you reach it easily day to day?), concealment (is it in a wardrobe, wall recess, or open floor space?), and practicality (is there enough clearance to open the door fully?). If you're unsure, our installer can advise on-site.

Floor surfaces:

Standard mechanical installations are into concrete slabs. If your floor has a covering such as tiles, timber, or carpet, please let us know when booking. In most cases this doesn't affect the installation, but it's useful for us to know in advance.

Commercial Property Installations

Installing a safe in a commercial property is straightforward in most cases, but there are a few important considerations that apply specifically to tenanted or leased spaces.

Authority to Proceed

The most important thing to confirm before booking a commercial installation is that you have the authority to carry out the work. If you are a tenant leasing your premises, your lease agreement may require landlord or building owner consent before you can fix anything to the floor or structure of the building. This is your responsibility to confirm — Safe Central will proceed on your instruction, but we are not in a position to verify the terms of your lease or building agreement on your behalf.

If you're unsure, check with your property manager or landlord before booking.

Floor Scanning

In commercial buildings — particularly multi-storey or older buildings — there may be services, conduits, or reinforcing materials within or beneath the concrete slab. If there is any uncertainty about what's below the floor at your chosen installation location, we recommend arranging a floor scan prior to installation. This is a service provided by specialist contractors. We are able to assist with organising this if required, at the client's cost.

While all care is taken during every installation, Safe Central cannot accept responsibility for damage to services or infrastructure that were not identified prior to work commencing.

Removable and Alternative Fixings

If your tenancy situation means you need to be able to relocate or remove the safe at the end of your lease, we can discuss removable fixing options that allow the safe to be unbolted and the floor made good without major remediation.

Where mechanical fixings are not appropriate or permitted, we can also install safes using a structural adhesive bond — a flexible, high-strength adhesive applied between the base of the safe and the floor surface. This is not as secure as a mechanical bolt fixing and is only recommended where bolting is not possible, but it does provide a meaningful level of resistance compared to a free-standing installation. This option is only recommended where bolting is not a viable option.

After-Hours Installations

We understand that some commercial environments require installations to be carried out outside of standard business hours to minimise disruption. After-hours service is available on request and will incur additional costs. Please mention this when enquiring so we can factor it into your quote.

Strata Property Installations

Strata-titled properties — including apartments, units, townhouses, and strata-titled commercial premises — often have by-laws or building rules that govern what owners and occupants can and cannot do to their lot or common property.

Authority to Proceed

Before booking a safe installation in a strata property, it is your responsibility to check whether your strata scheme's by-laws or any agreements you've entered into with the body corporate or owners' corporation place any restrictions on bolting or fixing items to the concrete slab or structure.

Safe Central will proceed with your installation on the basis of your authorisation as the owner or occupant. We are not in a position to review your strata by-laws or title documents, and responsibility for ensuring the work is permitted under your strata agreement rests with you.

If you're unsure, contact your strata manager before booking.

Floor Scanning

As with commercial installations, floor scanning is available and recommended in multi-storey strata buildings or any situation where there is uncertainty about what lies within or beneath the slab at your chosen location. This is arranged by you or with our assistance, at your cost.

Alternative Fixings

The same removable fixing and structural adhesive options available for commercial properties apply here. If your strata by-laws prohibit penetrating the slab, a structural adhesive installation may be a suitable alternative. Please discuss this with us at the time of enquiry.

Upper Floor and Multi-Storey Installations

Installing a safe above ground level — whether in an apartment, a two-storey home, or a multi-level commercial building — introduces a few additional considerations around both access and the substrate you're fixing into.

Floor Substrate

Not all upper-floor surfaces are the same. Second storeys and upper levels can be constructed from a range of materials including suspended concrete slabs, timber frame with particleboard or plywood, or other composite structures. The fixing method we use will depend on what your floor is made of, so it's helpful to know this before we arrive. If you're not sure, your builder or the original plans for the property may be able to tell you.

In all cases, our installer will assess the substrate before drilling and use the most appropriate fixing method available. If we encounter reinforcing steel or unexpected materials at the chosen drill point, we may need to reposition the safe slightly to achieve a secure fix. In some cases, if repositioning is not practical, we may be able to complete the installation with a reduced number of anchor points — we'll discuss this with you on the day and you'll always have the option to adjust the location.

Floor Load

In the vast majority of domestic and light commercial applications, floor loading is not an issue. However, for larger and heavier safes, it is worth confirming that the floor structure is rated to carry the weight — both for the installed position and for the access route to get it there.

If you have any doubt, we recommend checking with a builder or structural engineer before booking. Safe Central does not carry out structural assessments.

Getting the Safe Upstairs

Moving a heavy safe to an upper level requires planning. Depending on the safe's size and weight, options may include:

• Staircase carry (suitable for most safes with the right equipment and access)
• Lift access where available
• Over-balcony lift for larger or heavier units where stair access is not practical

For bulkier or heavier safes, we may request photos of the staircase, lift, and access route, or arrange a site inspection before confirming the installation. Please mention that your installation is on an upper level when enquiring so we can plan accordingly.

In-Floor Safe Installations

An in-floor safe is installed directly into a concrete slab, sitting flush with or below the finished floor level. It's a highly discreet option and one of the most secure installation types available. However, it requires more preparation than a standard installation, and there are some important things to understand before you book.

How It Works

In-floor installations require either:

• A provision left in the slab by your builder at the time of construction (the simplest option if you're planning ahead), or
• Concrete breaking and removal carried out by Safe Central to create the opening for the safe

We carry out the concrete breaking ourselves using jackhammers and hand tools — what we refer to as rough cutting. We do not use rotary or disc cutting equipment for this process.

What to Expect on the Day

Dust: Breaking and removing concrete generates a significant amount of fine dust. Before we arrive, you should protect or remove anything in the installation area that could be damaged by dust — furniture, electronics, soft furnishings, and any items in adjacent open spaces. It is the owner's responsibility to prepare the area prior to installation. We will do our best to contain the work area, but dust control is a shared responsibility.

Noise: You should expect approximately 1–2 hours of loud noise during the breaking and removal phase.

Time: In-floor installations take longer than standard installations. Allow additional time and ensure we have uninterrupted access to the area for the duration of the job.

Before We Arrive — What We Need to Know

When you enquire or book, please be ready to answer the following:

• Is there a floor covering over the installation location? If so, what type? (Tiles, timber, carpet, vinyl, etc.)
• Is there a facility on-site to dispose of sand and concrete debris?
• Is there power and water available at the property?
• Does the installation location have enough clear space for an adult to stand upright? (Required to operate our equipment safely)

Please note: We do not include the removal, adjustment, or re-installation of floor coverings. If your installation location has tiles or other fixed coverings that need to be lifted, this must be arranged separately with a specialist flooring contractor or carried out by you prior to our arrival.

Services and Pipes

Safe Central strongly recommends that you confirm there are no pipes, conduits, or services beneath the concrete in your chosen installation location before we begin work. This can be done by reviewing the original building plans or arranging a floor scan through a specialist contractor. We can assist with organising a floor scan if required, at your cost.

While all care is taken, Safe Central does not accept responsibility for damage to pipework or services within or beneath the concrete that were not identified prior to installation. If pipes or services are discovered during the work, we can adjust the installation location to avoid them, but any additional concrete repair required to reinstate the original location is at the client's expense and will need to be carried out by a specialist.

Moisture

In-floor safes are more exposed to moisture, condensation, and temperature variation than above-ground safes. Please be aware of the following:

• The safe door must be left open until the concrete around the safe has fully set and dried after installation
• Ongoing moisture management is the owner's responsibility — we recommend using silica gel packs, moisture absorber beads, or a rechargeable dehumidifier inside the safe
• Moisture damage is not covered by warranty, regardless of cause

General Note on All Installations

For all installation types, Safe Central takes care and applies professional judgement on every job. However, we are not in a position to review your lease, strata agreement, title documents, or building rules on your behalf. By proceeding with a booking, you confirm that you have the relevant authority to authorise the installation work at the property.

If you're not sure what type of installation suits your situation, get in touch — we're happy to help you work it out before you commit to anything.

Safe Central holds a Security Agents Licence issued by Western Australian Police Licensing. All installers hold individual Class 1 Security Installer and Consultant licences under the Security and Related Activities (Control) Act 1996. We carry public liability and workers' compensation insurance.