Fire Safes

You need to protect valuable documents and other objects from two basic threats: burglaries and fires. Fire safes are commonly used in business establishments and commercial sites that need to store paperwork, such as tax forms and other documents. They can also be used in homes, especially in areas where there is a high risk for fires.

Fireproof isn’t guaranteed

In general, it's impossible to find a fireproof safe. All types of safes have extreme limits and when a safe is exposed to extremely high temperatures, there's no guarantee that it can resist fire and protect your belongings for longer than the safe’s fire rating states.

Fire Resistance Ratings

Fire safes are divided into three categories according to the fire resistance that they offer. U.L. ratings refer to the safe’s fire resistance as it has been tested by Underwriters Laboratory, an independent testing facility.

Class C safes can protect your valuables against temperatures up to 1700°F for at least an hour. Class B safes resist fires for up to two hours in temperatures reaching a maximum of 1850°F. Class A safes offer up to four hours of fire protection against temperatures reaching up to 2000°F. For home use, Class C safes are acceptable, and Class A safes are suitable for commercial establishments. Check with your local government for recommendations on safes ratings within city limits, or areas served by county fire departments.

What you will store

Another thing to consider when selecting a fire safe is what you plan to store. What you will put in the compartments will have a great effect on the type of safe that you will choose. Fire safes are specifically designed to store paper documents and will only provide ample protection for paper valuables. If you need to store computer data or CDs, a Data Media Safe is more appropriate. Computer data and CDs can melt if you store them in a safe that is intended for paper.