Dominator DS-3 Fire and Burglary Safe - 105 Minute Fire Rated, UL-RSC, 189kg
At A Glance
The Dominator DS-3 Fire and Burglary Safe (DS3) is a mid-height DS Series safe on the 550 x 550 mm footprint, with more room for documents, valuables and cash. It is certified to UL-RSC for burglary resistance and carries 105-minute CNS certified fire protection for paper, behind a body and door over 40mm thick made from steel and concrete composite. It holds 92 litres inside a safe 770 mm high, 550 mm wide and 550 mm deep, and weighs 189 kg.
It suits offices, shops and homes that need fire- and burglary-protected storage for documents, valuables and cash, with two adjustable shelves. Compare it with the shorter DS-2 and the taller DS-4, which share the same 550 x 550 mm floor space, in the model range.
We stock the DS-3 with the Tecnosicurezza Pulse 2 digital keypad. A key lock, a combination dial or a left-hand hinge is a special order - call us for pricing. Delivery and installation are priced by weight and access; see delivery and installation below, or browse every Dominator safe we sell.
Key Features
- Independently tested and certified to UL-RSC for burglary resistance. Its performance is comparable to EN 1143-1 Grade II and AS/NZS 3809:1998 Grade II - what UL ratings measure.
- 105-minute CNS certified fire protection for paper - what a safe fire rating really means.
- Body and door over 40mm thick, made from steel and concrete composite - high-density material that resists both fire and penetration.
- 6 locking points, with 30mm diameter steel locking bolts protecting the opening side, plus exterior lift-off hinges with a full-length bar protecting against hinge attacks.
- Glass plate relocking device - what relockers do.
- Internal hardened steel anti-drill plates, plus drill deflector plates in the side walls.
- Tecnosicurezza Pulse 2 digital keypad, on a universal lock footprint that makes it easy to change to another lock type later - see lock options.
- 2 adjustable shelves, vinyl-lined walls and shelving, plus key hooks and document pockets on the back panel.
- 2 internal recessed bolt-down holes, with fixing bolts supplied - delivery and installation.
- Power entry provisions for adding electronic accessories.
- 6-stage textured black paint finish with a clear coat.
- 3-year lock and 5-year safe body warranty when you register free within 14 days, plus free batteries for life through Power for Life - warranty.
Security and Fire Ratings
105-minute CNS certified fire protection for paper. The fire label on the door reads Class 350 - the paper class, where the inside is held below 177 degrees C (350 degrees F). USB drives, hard drives, photos and film are damaged at much lower temperatures, so keep them in a data storage safe. See choosing the right fire rating.
UL-RSC is the Underwriters Laboratories rating for a residential security container: sample safes are attacked with common hand tools for a set working time, and a certified safe has to hold out. The DS-3's performance is comparable to EN 1143-1 Grade II and AS/NZS 3809:1998 Grade II. Its certification is UL-RSC only, so if your insurer names one of those two standards, ask whether UL-RSC is acceptable. Read what UL ratings measure and how RSC compares with TL-15 and TL-30x6.
The additional key lock is a special-order upgrade - call us for pricing. A cash rating is the guide insurers use for cash kept in a safe - what cash ratings mean and how insurers use them.
The guide for jewellery and other valuables. *Ratings are guides only - consult your insurer for application and approval. Anchoring the safe and adding monitored security can lift the limit an insurer will accept - the security stack.
Lock Options
We stock the DS-3 with the Tecnosicurezza Pulse 2 digital keypad, and it is the lock we recommend. In our experience a combination dial is slow to use and unforgiving if you overshoot a number, and a key can be lost - a keypad is quicker every day and there is no key to keep track of.
- A manager code (factory set to 123456 - change it during setup) plus individual user codes you can add or delete.
- Four wrong codes in a row start a 4-minute delay, and every attempt during the delay restarts it.
- Programmable time delay of up to 99 minutes, with an opening window of 1 to 19 minutes - useful for businesses.
- A long beep while opening warns that the battery is low - replace it with a new alkaline battery.
Full user steps are in the Pulse 2 user instructions (PDF).
We stock this safe with the digital lock and a right-hand hinge. A 3-wheel Group 2 combination dial, a Ross 700 key lock, the additional key lock that lifts the cash rating or a left-hand hinged door is built to order by the manufacturer in Perth, and we usually add it to our next stock order to keep the freight down, so allow extra lead time. Contact us for a price and an expected date.
Register your DS-3 for Power for Life and you receive a claim voucher every 12 months for a free replacement battery from a participating Dominator dealer - how Power for Life works.
What's in the Box
- Dominator DS-3 safe with the Tecnosicurezza Pulse 2 digital lock fitted
- 2 adjustable shelves with brackets
- Fixing bolts for bolting the safe down
- Battery for the electronic lock
- Warranty registration card
- Lock operating instructions
Keys and a code change tool come only with the special-order key lock or combination dial. If anything is missing, contact us.
Suitable Uses
- Business documents, cash and valuables in offices, shops and clinics
- Homes that want more shelf height than the DS-2 on the same floor space
- Storing paper records that must survive a fire for up to 105 minutes
- Protecting USB drives, hard drives, photos or film from fire - the fire rating is for paper. Use a data storage safe.
- Firearms - the DS Series is built for documents, cash and valuables and has no gun racks or barrel rests. For rifles and pistols, see our rifle safes and pistol safes, and check the firearm storage rules by state.
- Schedule 8 medicines in Queensland - the QLD Health standard calls for a 10mm steel safe with a 6-lever lock, so choose one of our drug safes - the Queensland Schedule 8 requirements.
- Taking deposits with the door closed - choose the DS-D deposit safe or another cash deposit safe.
DS-3 Technical Specifications
*Cash and valuables ratings are insurer guidelines only - consult your insurer for application and approval.
Dimensions and Door Clearance
Measure the space where the safe will sit, the doorways and corridors on the way in, and the room in front for the door to swing. A4 sheets fit standing upright and lying flat. The size line-up and door clearance diagrams are on page 2 of the DS Series brochure (also in the Brochure tab).
Delivery and Installation
The DS-3 has 2 internal recessed bolt-down holes and comes with fixing bolts suitable for the safe; some floors and installation methods need different fixings. You can install it yourself or have our technicians do it - read about installing a safe. If it has to go upstairs or through tight access, contact us first for a quote. Moving later? We also move safes.
Dominator DS Series - Model Range
This product is the bold row. Every DS model has the same fire and burglary ratings, the same choice of lock and the same black finish, so choose by size and weight (the additional key lock that lifts the cash rating is offered on the DS-2 to DS-7). The DS-5 and DS-6 are new sizes; the 1500 mm safe previously sold as the DS-5 is now the DS-7. Need a deposit drawer? See the DS-D deposit safe, or browse all home and commercial safes.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The 105-minute fire rating is for paper, which tolerates far higher temperatures than digital media, photos or film. Keep those in a data storage safe - why fire minutes are not all equal.
The insurable cash rating is $80,000 ($90,000 with the additional key lock) and the valuables rating is up to $800,000 to $900,000. These are guides only - your insurer decides what it will accept, so check with them before you rely on a figure. How insurers use cash ratings.
Yes, as a special order - call us for pricing. Both are built to order in Perth and are usually added to our next stock order to keep freight down, so allow extra lead time. The universal lock footprint also lets the lock be changed later. See lock options.
We strongly recommend it. The DS-3 has 2 internal recessed bolt-down holes and comes with fixing bolts. At 189 kg, delivery is priced by weight and access - see Delivery and Installation and installing a safe.
Both sit on the same 550 x 550 mm footprint. The DS-3 is 770 mm high with 92 litres and two shelves; the DS-4 is 1015 mm high with 128 litres and three shelves, and weighs 102 kg more. Choose by how much you store and how heavy a safe your floor and access can take.
Additional Information
- Allow for the handle, lock and hinges: the external depth of 550 mm excludes them - add 40 mm when you measure the space.
- Register within 14 days: free registration lifts the warranty from 12 months on the lock and 2 years on the safe to 3 years and 5 years, and the same form signs you up for Power for Life - register your safe.
- Time delay for businesses: the Pulse 2 keypad can add a delay of up to 99 minutes before the safe opens, with an opening window of 1 to 19 minutes - a simple way to slow down a hold-up. Read how to choose a safe for your business.
- Special orders come from Perth: key locks, combination dials, the additional key lock and left-hand hinged doors are built to order and are usually added to our next stock order, so allow extra lead time.
- Keep it serviced: a safe that gets harder to lock or open, or a keypad that starts beeping, needs attention - see common signs your safe needs servicing and our safe servicing.
Warranty
Dominator Safes warrants this safe against defects in materials and workmanship from the date of purchase on your invoice. Register it free within 14 days of purchase to receive Extended Care: 3 years on the lock and 5 years on the safe body and mechanical components. Unregistered safes have Standard Care: 12 months on the lock and 2 years on the safe body and mechanical components. Optional paid Extra Care extends this to 5 years on the lock and 10 years on the safe, and adds a 25-year after-fire replacement guarantee on HS and DS Series safes. Excludes batteries, cosmetic damage, transit damage not reported within 3 days of delivery, accident, misuse, fire (other than under the after-fire guarantee) and service by anyone not authorised by Dominator Safes. The contents of the safe are not covered - insure them separately. Proof of purchase is required for every claim. Register your safe
Download PDF Resources
Two pages: DS Series features, cash and valuables ratings, lock options and hinge options, and the DS-0 to DS-7 specifications table with door clearance diagrams on page 2.
One page for the standard digital lock: changing the manager code from the factory 123456, adding and deleting users, the wrong-code penalty, the time delay and the low-battery warning.
Unpacking, box contents, installation and code-change advice for Dominator safes. Its factory codes are for older LaGard locks - use the Pulse 2 instructions for this safe.
Full warranty terms - Standard, Extended and Extra Care, the 25-year after-fire guarantee, claims and exclusions - with the registration form.
Dominator DS-3 Fire and Burglary Safe - FAQ, Setup and Owner's Guide
Everything below is here to help you choose, install and live with your DS-3. For the bigger picture, read the Dominator HS vs DS vs FA vs FX buyer's guide, safe fire ratings explained and safe cash ratings explained.
Fire Protection
The DS-3 is certified to keep paper protected through a 105-minute fire test under the CNS standard. The fire label on the door reads Class 350, the paper class: the inside is held below 177 degrees C (350 degrees F), under the point where paper chars. Fire minutes from different standards are not always comparable - why minutes are not apples-to-apples.
No. Digital media, photos and film are damaged at temperatures well below the 177 degrees C a paper-rated safe allows inside. Use a data storage safe for them, and keep paper in the DS-3.
With paid Extra Care registration, DS Series and HS Series safes carry a 25-year after-fire replacement guarantee for the original owner: a free replacement safe, with freight paid by you. The contents are not covered, so insure them separately. See warranty and the Dominator warranty explained.
Burglary, Insurance and Cash Ratings
RSC stands for residential security container. The rating comes from Underwriters Laboratories, which attacks sample safes with common hand tools for a set working time; a certified safe has to hold out. It is the entry level of the UL burglary ratings, below TL-15 and TL-30x6 - how RSC, TL-15 and TL-30x6 compare.
No. Its burglary certification is UL-RSC; its performance is comparable to AS/NZS 3809:1998 Grade II and EN 1143-1 Grade II. If your insurer or a contract names one of those standards, ask whether UL-RSC is acceptable before you buy.
The insurable cash rating is $80,000 ($90,000 with the additional key lock), and the valuables rating is up to $800,000 to $900,000. Insurers treat these as starting guides and decide for themselves - always check your policy. What cash ratings mean.
Fitting the special-order additional key lock lifts the cash rating to $90,000. Beyond that, bolting the safe down, a monitored alarm and the safe's location all count with insurers - the supportive security stack and how to lift insurable limits.
If someone attacks the lock by drilling or punching it, the glass plate breaks and releases spring-loaded bolts that hold the bolt work locked, so the safe stays shut even with the lock destroyed. A safe that has relocked needs a qualified technician to open it - what relockers are and our safe opening service.
The Pulse 2 Digital Lock
With the door open, change the manager code from the factory 123456 to a code of your own, then test it several times before you close the door. The manager code is also used to add and delete user codes. Avoid birthdays and other easy-to-find numbers. Step-by-step instructions are in the Pulse 2 user instructions (PDF).
After four wrong codes the lock starts a 4-minute delay, and every attempt during the delay starts it again.
Yes. A delay of 0 to 99 minutes can be programmed, followed by an opening window of 1 to 19 minutes in which the code opens the safe. The delay can only be reduced during an opening window - after the delay has already run. It is a common choice for shops and offices.
A long beep while you open the safe means the battery is low - replace it straight away with a new alkaline battery. Register for Power for Life and you can collect a free replacement battery every 12 months. If the keypad misbehaves, always try a fresh battery first.
Convenience and reliability. A keypad opens in seconds and there is no key to lose. A combination dial looks the part, but it is slow to use and unforgiving - a dial that overshoots the number by a fraction will not open. Both the key lock and the dial are available as a special order; contact us for pricing.
Try a new battery first. If it still will not open, do not force the door or handle - contact us and our technicians will help, including our safe opening service.
Size, Delivery and Installation
Opened to 180 degrees the door needs 1015 mm from the side of the safe to its far edge; opened to 90 degrees it reaches 1055 mm from the back of the safe. To open it to 145 degrees for full access to the shelves, allow 940 mm across the front. The external depth of 550 mm excludes the handle, lock and hinges - add 40 mm.
Yes - A4 sheets fit standing upright and lying flat: the inside is 630 x 405 x 360 mm (H x W x D). The shelves are adjustable, so set them to suit what you store.
It weighs 189 kg. We deliver and install on the Gold Coast and in the Tweed Shire, and deliver to businesses and to homes in major east coast cities; the price depends on the weight, where it is going and access such as stairs. See Delivery and Installation and contact us for stairs or tight access.
Yes - always install the safe as it is designed to be installed. It has 2 internal recessed bolt-down holes and comes with fixing bolts suitable for the safe, though some installation methods and locations need different fixings. You can do it yourself or have our technicians install it - installing a safe.
Yes. A bolted-down safe has to be unbolted and moved with the right equipment - our safe moving service handles relocations.
Warranty and Registration
Register free within 14 days of purchase at dominatorsafes.com.au/warranty-registration. You need the model and serial number (on a sticker at the upper rear corner of the side of the safe), your invoice number and the date of purchase. Unregistered safes have 12 months on the lock and 2 years on the safe body.
For an unregistered safe, contact us - we lodge the claim as your dealer. Registered Extended Care and Extra Care claims go to Dominator Safes customer support on 1300 366 462, and we are always happy to help. Report any transit damage within 3 days of delivery.
The contents of the safe, batteries, cosmetic damage, transit damage not reported within 3 days, accident, misuse and service by anyone not authorised. The full terms are in the warranty policy (PDF).
Choosing the Right DS Model
All eight DS models share the same fire and burglary ratings, the same choice of lock and the same finish, so choose by size, weight and access (the additional key lock is offered on the DS-2 to DS-7). The DS-0 and DS-1 are compact home safes; the DS-2, DS-3 and DS-4 share a 550 x 550 mm footprint; the DS-5 is 1200 mm high on a wider body; the DS-6 and DS-7 are full height. Compare them in the model range.
The two Dominator ranges differ in construction, ratings and price. The HS vs DS vs FA vs FX buyer's guide sets them side by side, and the FA and FX ranges go higher again.
Choose the DS-D deposit safe, the DS Series model with a deposit drawer, or another cash deposit safe - how a cash deposit safe works.
Related Products, Guides and Pages
The DS Series: DS-0 | DS-1 | DS-2 | DS-4 | DS-5 | DS-6 | DS-7 | DS-D deposit | all Dominator safes
Other safes: home and commercial | data storage | cash deposit | drug safes | used safes | all safes
Our services: delivery and installation | installing a safe | moving a safe | opening a safe | servicing a safe | our showroom
Helpful reading: HS vs DS vs FA vs FX | fire ratings for paper and data | UL ratings explained | cash ratings explained | what are relockers | Dominator warranty explained | choosing a business safe
What's in the Box - Dominator DS-3 Fire and Burglary Safe
- Dominator DS-3 safe with the Tecnosicurezza Pulse 2 digital lock fitted
- 2 adjustable shelves with brackets
- Fixing bolts for bolting the safe down
- Battery for the electronic lock
- Warranty registration card
- Lock operating instructions
PDF Files - Dominator DS-3
Two pages: DS Series features, cash and valuables ratings, lock options and hinge options, and the DS-0 to DS-7 specifications table with door clearance diagrams on page 2.
One page for the standard digital lock: changing the manager code from the factory 123456, adding and deleting users, the wrong-code penalty, the time delay and the low-battery warning.
Unpacking, box contents, installation and code-change advice for Dominator safes. Its factory codes are for older LaGard locks - use the Pulse 2 instructions for this safe.
Full warranty terms - Standard, Extended and Extra Care, the 25-year after-fire guarantee, claims and exclusions - with the registration form.
Dominator Safes Warranty
Dominator safes sold by Terry's Tradies Pty Ltd (Terry's Gold Coast Safes) are covered by the Dominator Safes warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. The warranty runs from the date of purchase shown on your invoice, and how long it lasts depends on whether you register your safe. Registration is free and must be done within 14 days of purchase - it more than doubles the cover on most safes.
Register online at dominatorsafes.com.au/warranty-registration. You will need the safe's model and serial number (on the sticker at the upper rear corner of the side of the safe), your invoice or receipt number and the date of purchase. HS and DS Series owners can also sign up for Power for Life in the same form.
Warranty Periods
25-Year After-Fire Guarantee (Extra Care, HS and DS Series)
If your HS or DS Series safe is damaged by fire within 25 years of purchase while you are still the original owner, Dominator Safes will supply a free replacement safe. Send them:
- your name, mailing address, email address and phone number;
- the tax invoice or receipt for the safe;
- a description of the fire, the safe's model and serial number, and a photo of the burned safe; and
- a copy of the fire department, insurance or police report.
Freight on the replacement safe is paid by you. If the same model is no longer made, a similar safe from the current range is supplied. The guarantee covers the safe, not its contents.
How to Make a Claim
- Standard Care (unregistered safes): contact us. As your authorised Dominator dealer we lodge the claim and arrange the next steps. Contact us with your proof of purchase and a description of the fault.
- Extended Care and Extra Care (registered safes): contact Dominator Safes customer support on 1300 366 462 or warranty@dominatorsafes.com.au with your purchase details and a description of the fault. They troubleshoot first and, if the safe needs assessment, arrange and pay for the return freight. We are always happy to help you through it.
- Repairs: where a repair is authorised, the safe is collected by an authorised courier or you are given another approved way to get it to the repair centre; freight to and from the repair centre is covered for an authorised repair. Keep the original packaging if you can - damage in transit from inadequate packaging is your responsibility.
Inspect the safe as soon as it arrives. Transit damage must be reported within 3 days of receipt, or physical damage may not be covered. If the safe arrives faulty or damaged, take photos - photographic evidence is required before it is repaired or replaced.
What the Warranty Does Not Cover
- Consumable parts such as batteries and protective coatings that wear over time, unless they fail because of a defect
- Cosmetic damage to boxes, packaging or exterior surfaces, including in transit
- Damage from accident, abuse, misuse, liquid contact, fire, earthquake or another external cause (fire damage is covered only by the after-fire guarantee above)
- Damage from use with another product, or from operating the safe outside its published guidelines
- Service, upgrades or modifications by anyone who is not authorised by Dominator Safes
- Normal wear and tear and normal ageing, including the cost of replacing worn consumable parts
- Safes with a removed or defaced serial number, stolen safes, and claims without proof of purchase
The warranty does not cover loss of, or damage to, anything stored in the safe - cash, valuables, documents or data on any media - however it happens, nor loss of use or any indirect loss. Liability is limited to the purchase price of the safe or a like replacement. Insure your valuables separately, and check your insurer's requirements against the safe's cash rating.
Important Notes
Batteries are not covered by the warranty, but registered HS and DS Series safes with an electronic lock qualify for free replacement batteries for life through Power for Life: register, receive a claim voucher every 12 months and collect your battery from a participating dealer.
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
The Dominator Safes warranty is in addition to these rights.
Delivery and Installation
Current rates and service areas are on our Delivery and Installation page, or pick your safe up free from our Burleigh Heads showroom. When we quote from photos or a description, we assume the site is flat, level and easy to reach - no stairs, steep driveways or tight access. If the site turns out to be different, or extra labour, equipment or a return visit is needed, additional charges may apply. Read more about having your safe installed.
