It is extremely important for the consumers to follow and consider some guidelines in choosing the right safe. Looking for this information could become tedious but here is a summary of the most important things to look for. Remember that having all your valuables safe and intact in one place is a lot more comforting than losing them all to a house fire.
FIRE RESISTANT SAFES
There are such safes that are called FIREPROOF SAFES. With all reality, there are NO SUCH FIREPROOF safes – there are, however, FIRE RESISTANT SAFES. These are the kind of safes that are designed to protect its contents against fire or extremely high temperatures. They are usually rated by the amount of time they can withstand the extreme temperatures a fire produces, while not exceeding a set internal temperature, e.g., less than 350 °F (177 °C) over 30 minutes.
Models are typically available between half-hour and four-hour durations. A good fire resistant safe should have a minimum of 30 minutes fire rating but an hour or more of protection is even better. The problem is, you don’t know where a fire could start – it may start right next to your safe and continue to subject the contents of your safe to high temperatures for a long period of time. Fireproof safes are NOT recommended for protecting large amounts of cash or high value items from theft. When you want BOTH burglar and fire protection, look for a burglar fire safe or a high security burglar fire safe.
Document safes are designed to maintain an internal temperature no greater than 177 °C (351 °F) while in a constantly heated environment in excess of 1,000 °C (1,830 °F). Data safes are designed to maintain an internal temperature no greater than 55 °C (131 °F) while in a constantly heated environment in excess of 1,000 °C (1,830 °F).
The conditions stipulated above are maintained for the duration of the test. The test usually lasts for about 30 minutes or could be extended to several hours depending on its grade. They are also tested for impact by dropping them from a set height onto a solid surface and then tested for fire survivability once again.
In the USA, both the writing of standards for fire-resistance and the actual testing of safes is performed by Underwriters Laboratories.
Underwriters Laboratories Certification for Safes:
Class 125
– sustains an internal atmosphere of 125°F (52°C) and 80% humidity
– waterproof
– hour ratings: ½, 1, 2, 3, or 4
– suitable for papers, floppy disks
Class 150
– sustains an internal atmosphere less than 150°F (66°C) and 85% humidity
– waterproof
– hour ratings: ½, 1, 2, 3, or 4
– suitable for papers, Optical media (CDs)
Class 350
– sustains an internal atmosphere of less than 350°F (177°C) and 85% humidity
– most basic of U.L. tests and specifically tests for the storage of paper
– sufficient for storage of paper
– hour ratings: ½, 1, 2, 3, or 4
– suitable for papers, Floppy Disks, Optical Media (CDs)
Class TL-15
– combination locked safe that offers limited protection against combinations of common mechanical and electrical tools
– resist abuse for 15 minutes from tools such as hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or electric tools, grinding points, carbide drills and devices that apply pressure
Class TL-30
– combination locked safe that offers moderate protection against combinations of mechanical and electrical tools
– resist abuse for 30 minutes from tools such as hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or electrical tools, grinding points, carbide drills, devices that apply pressure, cutting wheels and power saws.
Class TL-40
– combination locked safe that offers moderate protection against combinations of mechanical and electrical tools
– resist abuse for 40 minutes from tools such as hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or electrical tools, grinding points, carbide drills, devices that apply pressure, cutting wheels and power saws.
Class TRTL-30
– combination locked safe that offers high protection against combinations of mechanical, electrical, and cutting tools
– resist abuse for 30 minutes from tools such as hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or electrical tools, grinding points, carbide drills, devices that apply pressure, cutting wheels, power saws, impact tools and, in addition, can withstand an oxy-fuel welding and cutting torch (tested gas limited to 1,000 cubic feet (28 m3) combined total oxygen and fuel gas)
Class TRTL-60
– withstand the same assaults as Class TRTL-30 for 60 minutes
Class TXTL-60
– meets all the requirements for Class TRTL-60
– withstand high explosives such as nitroglycerin or equivalent to not more than 4 ounces (110 g) of nitroglycerin in one charge (entire test must not use more explosive than that equivalent to 8 ounces (230 g) of nitroglycerin)
Additional reminders:
1. Check the safe if it is indeed UL TESTED. The safe has passed the testing requirements ONLY when you see a UL label applied to the safe.
2. If you also want burglary protection, choose burglar/fire safe that is appropriate for the content value.
These ratings and content values are guidelines only:
B-Rated
Up to $5,000 content value
B/C Rated
Up to $10,000 content value
U.L. RSC
Up to $15,000 content value
C Rated
Up to $30,000 content value
U.L. TL-15
Up to $200,000 content value
U.L. TL-30
Up to $375,000 content value
U.L. TL-30X6
Up to $500,000 to $ 1,000,000 content value
U.L. TRTL-30X6
$1,000,000 and up content value
3. Don’t use a floor safe to protect against fire.
Floor safes are great for gold, silver, coins, jewelry and other valuables because they are engineered to protect against burglary attacks. While they are burglary resistant, these are NOT – despite of common beliefs – ideal against fire or extremely high temperatures. Floor safe doors are made of plate steel that ranges from ½” to 1½” thick and unfortunately, nearly all floor safes do NOT have fire retardant material included in the door. Therefore, most floor safes are not a good product to protect against the ravages of a fire.