Can't decide between a code, a key or a fingerprint to protect your papers, jewellery or shop cash? The fingerprint safe is winning over more and more households and shopkeepers in Morocco: place your finger and the door opens, with no code to remember. But biometrics also have their limits. In this guide we cover the benefits, the limits, the price of an electronic safe and the right way to install it so that it really protects you.
Contents
How does a fingerprint safe work?
A biometric safe is an electronic safe fitted with a fingerprint reader. During setup, you enrol one or more authorised fingerprints. Then, each time you open it, the reader compares the finger with the fingerprints in memory: if they match, the motorised lock releases the bolts and the door can open.
On serious models, the fingerprint is never the only way in. That is the case with the Ferri smart fingerprint safe (45 × 38 × 33 cm) available at Brico MIM: it combines three opening methods.
- Fingerprint for quick everyday access;
- Electronic keypad with security code, useful if the reader does not recognise the finger;
- Emergency key, for urgent situations (flat batteries, electronic failure).
The benefits of biometric opening
1. Fast access
No need to type a code or look for a key: opening takes a few seconds. That is valuable for a shopkeeper who opens the cash several times a day, or for a safe that must be reached quickly at home.
2. Nothing to remember, nothing to lose
A code can be shared, forgotten or seen over your shoulder. A key can be copied or lost. Your finger stays with you. You also know exactly who can open the safe: only people whose fingerprint has been enrolled.
3. Several users without sharing a secret
In a family, an office or a shop, you can enrol the fingerprint of each authorised person. When an employee leaves, you simply delete their fingerprint (following the model's manual), without changing the code for everyone.
4. A dual security system
Because the Ferri combines fingerprint, code and key, it stays usable in every situation, while offering a high level of protection thanks to its reinforced steel construction and electronic locking.
Limits to know before buying
Biometrics are not magic. Keep these points in mind to avoid bad surprises:
- Damaged or wet fingers: cuts, wet, dirty or very dry hands (masonry, farm work, gardening) can disturb the reading. Enrol several fingers and keep the code as a fallback.
- Battery dependence: like any electronic safe, the reader and lock run on batteries. Weak batteries can cause refused openings. Replace them at the first signs of weakness.
- The emergency key is still the weak point: if it is kept in a drawer next to the safe, all the biometric security loses its value.
- Price: for the same size, a biometric safe costs a little more than a standard model. At Brico MIM, the Ferri fingerprint safe starts from 2700 DH, compared with 2500 DH for the Ferri safe of the same dimensions.
- A fingerprint does not replace anchoring: a safe that is not fixed can be carried away whole, whatever its lock.
Brico MIM tip: enrol at least two different fingers per person (for example the index finger of each hand). If you cut yourself or your hands are worn from a building site, you can still open with the other finger, without using the code or the key.
Fingerprint, code or key: comparison and prices in Morocco
What is the price of an electronic safe in Morocco? It depends on size and opening method. Here are the models from our safes collection that specify their opening system:
| Model | Opening | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferri Mini (white) | Electronic code | 27 × 21.5 × 22 cm | from 400 DH |
| Marko RIO | Electronic code + 2 emergency keys | 31 × 20 × 20 cm | from 450 DH |
| VASTO | 3 to 8 digit code + 2 emergency keys | 35 × 25 × 25 cm | from 650 DH |
| Ferri smart | Fingerprint + code + emergency key | 45 × 38 × 33 cm | from 2700 DH |
| Marko HK-77 | Electronic code + emergency keys | 73 × 48 × 42 cm | from 2849 DH |
Which opening method for which use?
- Small budget, occasional use (passports, deeds, jewellery): a code safe such as the Ferri Mini or the Marko RIO is more than enough.
- Frequent opening or several users (shop, practice, large family): a fingerprint saves time and avoids spreading a code around.
- Large volume (binders, equipment): choose a large format such as the Marko HK-77.
To choose the right size and protection level for what you store, also read our guide Safes in Morocco: how to choose the size, the lock and install it properly.
Installation: anchoring your safe properly
The Ferri fingerprint safe, like the other models in the range, can be fixed to the wall or the floor. This is the most important step: a safe that is simply placed without anchoring can be carried off and opened elsewhere.
Choosing the location
- A discreet spot: cupboard, dressing room, under a desk, back of the shop.
- A solid surface: concrete slab or wall preferably; avoid light partitions or plasterboard alone.
- Comfortable access to the reader: at hand height if possible, with some light to see the keypad.
- Away from moisture: not directly in a bathroom or against a damp wall.
Installation steps
- First program the code and fingerprints with the door open, and test several openings.
- Hold the safe in position and mark the fixing holes.
- Drill with a bit suited to the surface (concrete, brick); for concrete, a rotary hammer makes the job much easier.
- Use plugs and lag bolts or anchor bolts suited to the surface, then tighten from inside the safe.
- Check that the safe no longer moves and that the door opens and closes without rubbing.
Brico MIM tip: never keep the emergency key inside the safe or in the same room. Give it to a trusted relative or keep it somewhere else: it is what will save you if the batteries die.
Enrolling fingerprints and maintaining the safe
- Enrolment: follow the model's manual for the order of steps. Place your finger flat, in the centre of the reader, and repeat the scan as requested.
- Cleaning the reader: wipe it regularly with a soft, dry cloth; dust and grease reduce reliability.
- Batteries: replace them at the first low-battery signals, without waiting for a failure.
- Updating access: delete the fingerprints of people who should no longer open the safe.
A safe is only one part of home security. To go further, discover our smart locks, our wireless alarms and our tips to secure your home in Morocco. If you like biometric opening, also read our smart lock buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fingerprint safe more secure than a code safe?
It avoids code-related risks (forgotten, shared or observed codes), but real resistance mainly depends on the steel, the anchoring and how the emergency key is stored. A well-anchored biometric safe with the emergency key kept elsewhere offers very good protection for home or business use.
What happens if the reader does not recognise my finger?
On the Ferri smart safe, you can open it with the electronic keypad code or, as a last resort, with the supplied emergency key.
What is the price of an electronic safe in Morocco?
At Brico MIM, electronic code safes start from 400 DH (Ferri Mini). The Ferri fingerprint safe (45 × 38 × 33 cm) starts from 2700 DH.
Can I install the safe myself?
Yes, with a drill or rotary hammer, plugs suited to the surface and a little care. If you are unsure about the type of wall or floor, call a professional.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to every city in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Protect your valuables today
Code or fingerprint safes, delivered everywhere in Morocco with cash on delivery.
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