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Question
Hello,
I have a First Alert #FRS155 Manual Combination with Key Fire Safe that the Dial will not turn so that I can open it. Worked fine up until this point.
Pls advise ASAP either way as my wife has a wedding to attend thie WE and she needs her jewelry for that event.
Tks Much,
Rick
Rick,
First Alert introduced their line of import fire safes around 1995-96. They were discontinued when the company was sold to the Sunbeam Corp. in 1998. Their customer service no longer supports these safes.
The dial may not be able to turn for several reasons. Something may be wedged in the door binding the bolt work. The dial arbor may be rusted in place.
Does the key lock appear to turn?
Attempt to press the door in, to remove any pressure off of the bolt work. This may relieve the pressure and allow the dial to turn. If the dial is still tight, you might try to spray some WD-40 or TRI-FLOW lubricant under the dial, then work it back and forth. If you still can't loosen it up, then it is probably time to take it to your local safe company. Check your yellow pages under safes & vaults
Note: The safe company may charge you more than the safe is worth to open it.
Your last option, and I don't recommend it, would be to force the safe open. A small sledge hammer and a couple of pry bars may be able to force the door open. The safe only has fire protection, not burglary protection.
CAUTION: forcing the safe may cause damage to the contents and may subject you to personal injury. Please use all necessary safety equipment and precautions for yourself and the contents of the safe.
Again, I don't recommend that you force the safe, but not knowing your circumstances and required time frame you may elect this option.
Good luck, hope the above solutions work.
Andy
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Answers by Expert:
Terry V. Andreasen (Andy)
Expertise
Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 38 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.
Experience
38 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute.
Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing.
Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf
Organizations
SafeCrackers International and the
National Antique Safe Association
ClearStar
Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975
Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985
Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985
Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.
Awards and Honors
2009 & 2010 - Listed in AllExperts Top 50 Experts. All Expert Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes.
Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
US Navy - 1971-1981
US Army Reserve 1984-2006
US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present
Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses.
Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures.
Service Area is Northern California (Fresno to Oregon and Western Nevada)
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