What would happen if you had a fire and all of your files were destroyed? This could have a devastating impact on your business. Fireproof file cabinets are a very cost-effective insurance, protecting you against such a potentially terrible loss. When you are buying fireproof file cabinets, there are a few things that you should look for to make sure they are not going to fail you when you need them the most.
The first thing to look at is the UL rating for the safe. The UL rating is done by Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit independent testing organization. UL ratings are done by temperature and time. For example, a file cabinet with a 1 hour UL 350 rating will last at least one hour in a fire. During that time, the temperature inside the file cabinet will not exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Since paper will burn at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you will want to make sure that the rating is at least UL 350. A 2 hour rated safe will last at least 2 hours in a fire.
You will also want to make sure that whatever product you buy has been tested with various other tests. A quality fireproof cabinet should be tested with a 2,000 degree explosion test, a 1,550 degree fire abuse test, and a 30 foot drop test. This way, you can be sure that your files will be safe if your file cabinets are in a building that collapses during a fire. You will also be protected if someone tries to break into them.
You may also want to look at the quality of the file cabinet's security. Since your files are also vulnerable to theft, you want to be sure that they have highly secure locks.
There are quality file cabinets out there with all of these specifications. Make sure you find a respected name in the industry, and that all of their products have the above specifications. You can do some research to find out who fits these qualifications.
Be sure that you do not shortchange yourself by investing in cheap fireproof file cabinets – it's just not worth it. You can find a quality product that will not break your budget, and it's a great insurance to protect your business from a fire or other natural disaster.