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Do Fireproof Safes Really Work?

You don’t keep all of your belongings in a bank locker or in a remote location. Most of the time, these are your personal documents that you may need at any time, therefore it’s best to have them with you at home. Other assets, in addition to documents, include cash, jewelry, electronic devices, and perhaps something as priceless as your grandmother’s ring, which has both monetary and emotional significance. 

Buying a safe is usually recommended to keep all of your belongings safe from unpleasant events. People have learned that a fireproof safe would have protected them from losing everything if their property had been damaged in an accident or a natural calamity. In this article, we will answer frequent questions asked about fireproof safes. Read on.

What Are Fireproof Safes?

Fireproof is something that can withstand fire without being consumed by it. A fireproof safe is essentially that. When it comes to its construction, a fireproof safe has a double wall. There is a gap between those walls, which are usually filled with fire-resistant materials. As a result, when there is a fire, the safe’s temperature is lowered by fire-resistant materials. 

It is an ideal item to have your treasured items housed. Licensed gun holders have also preferred having their guns and pistols safe from fire. Safewell custom gun safes and vaults are manufactured to your specifications. They can make a unique and custom gun safe to suit your needs. Safewell can assist your company in enhancing its brand identification and translating your ideas into practical designs.

Are Fireproof Safes Really Fireproof?

Is It True That Fireproof Safes Work? Yes, to put it succinctly. Safes that are fireproof will protect their contents from fire and other disasters. The UL rating is the most vital thing to consider. The “UL” stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a product safety and testing company founded over a century ago. The fire resistance of a safe is determined by this grade. 

The UL rating is followed by a sub-rating that indicates how long your documents will be safe. Use the UL rating to educate yourself on what types of documents will be safe in your safe. For example, a UL Class 350 1-hour safe will keep your valuable items in the safe below 350 degrees for about an hour during a typical house fire blazing at around 1700 degrees F. 

If you live far from a fire station or keep this safe at a summer or vacation home where there are fewer people to swiftly put out a fire, a higher-rated safe may be preferable. Consult a fireproof safe manufacturer if you are unsure of your requirements. They will assist you in selecting the best option for you! 

How To Choose The Right Fireproof Safe

You never know when calamity will strike, so having a strategy in place to safeguard your belongings is essential. Over the last 50 years, wildfires and extreme weather events like storms and floods have increased dramatically over the world. 

The majority of us have found fireproof safe to be the ideal solution to protect our treasured items but how do you pick the right fireproof safe? The session below will outline some factors you should consider when choosing the right fireproof safe.

List Down What You Intend To Keep In The Safe.

The first thing you should do is write a list of everything you intend to keep in the safe. This is because it will assist you in narrowing down your search to the safe that is best suited to your requirements. So it is important to have the list first before anything else.

If you want to keep a laptop inside, for example, you will need a safe that is the right size for the laptop. A tiny safe with compartments is a good idea if you have a lot of small items. And guns need professional fireproof gun safes. There are additional considerations as well, which we will discuss in the next paragraphs. So go ahead and write your list right now!

Size Of The Safe

The size of the safe is the second most significant consideration. Are you planning to keep it in your house, in your bedroom, in your basement, or somewhere else? The size and available area of the room where the safe will be kept will determine the type of safe you require. It could be a wall-mount safe or a floor-mounted safe that you purchase based on your requirements. As previously said, the size of your safe should be appropriate for the items you intend to keep inside.

Fire Ratings

Let us explain briefly what types of ratings you should look for. The standard recommendation is to choose a fireproof safe that is UL or US manufactured and has a rating of 1 or above. Since metal expands when heated, a fire seal is required if you want a fireproof safe. A good fire seal extends to at least 5 times its original size, preventing fire and smoke from entering the safe. It also prevents moisture from entering the safe.

How Long Will Your Safe Protect Your Valuables From Fire?

All safes have a rating that indicates how long your belongings will be safe within. Before you buy, double-check this rating. If you want to keep your possessions safe in the event of a big house fire, invest in a safe that provides at least one hour of continuous fire protection.

According to the average rating, 30 minutes of fire resistance will be enough. This is due to the fact that fire moves from room to room and rarely stays in one place for more than 30 minutes. A tidbit of information for your consideration: the paper used to print money generally burns at 451 degrees Fahrenheit. Check to see if your safe can preserve your belongings up to a certain temperature.

Can Your Fireproof Safe Handle Electronics?

Many fireproof safes have a common flaw that many people are unaware of. If you put a pen drive, CD, or DVD inside your safe, the temperature difference between inside and outside the safe may cause the electronics to malfunction, resulting in the loss of all your data. It is very important to consider this factor when choosing the right fireproof safe.

Is It Better To Have An Electronic Or Mechanical Lock?

When individuals are looking for a safe to buy, this is the most typical question they have. To begin with, mechanical locks are typical locks that require a skilled burglar to open. If you use a mechanical lock, make sure it has at least two redundant locks so that breaking in takes longer and the thief has more difficulty. 

To maintain the quality of your mechanical lock, you will need to have it serviced on a regular basis. On the other hand, digital locks safes are also a good option. If you choose an electronic lock, make sure it can withstand an EMP attack. Because these locks rely on batteries, you will need to replace them from time to time.

Can I Keep My Documents In A Fireproof Safe?

Nobody wants to think about it, yet home calamities such as fires may happen to anybody, at any moment. While the possibilities of this happening to you are minimal, it is critical to make sure that not only your family is prepared for a fire, but also that your personal documents are safe and ready to leave in the event of an emergency.

A fireproof safe is an excellent investment that will resist even the most severe household disasters. Before installing a safe in your home, make sure it is genuinely fireproof. Fire resistant safes will protect their contents from fire and other disasters. Safes, on the other hand, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and not all of them are created equal. 

Each safe will have information on how long it can prevent valuables from being destroyed, the temperature it can tolerate, and the types of calamities it can survive. This is where thorough research is critical.

Vital documents such as your birth certificate or deed to your home, which contain personal information about you, your family, and even your property, can be difficult to replace after a fire. With the stress of cleaning your belongings and rebuilding your house, having these documents safe from destruction might make life a bit simpler after a calamity like a fire. Because you may need these documents after a fire, it’s critical to keep them safe in a fireproof safe box.

Is Fireproof Safe Also Waterproof?

For any individual or organization, protecting valuable belongings against burglars is critical, but fire and water damage are also serious threats. Fire and waterproof safes provide all-around safety for your documents, CDs, DVDs, cash, jewelry, and valuables. You want to secure your possessions from burglars when you buy a safe. Then you realize that this isn’t the only danger; you normally think about fires and overlook the fact that water may also be a tragedy for our prized possessions. So, are fire-resistant safes also waterproof?

A rubber seal is required on a waterproof safe to prevent water from leaking in. A fire safe is made out of two sheets of steel with a fire-resistant substance sandwiched between them. The door comes with a seal that doesn’t do anything: it’s not airtight or watertight unless it’s heated sufficiently to expand. It’s a one-of-a-kind intumescent seal. That seal is not found on all fire safes.

A watertight seal, sometimes known as a closed-cell foam gasket, is required for a safe to be watertight. This is necessary for a safe to be watertight since it must be airtight. Furthermore, a waterproof safe does not require one, two, or even three layers of steel. This is only about burglar protection, not water protection.

Fire Resistant Safe
Source: Safewell

Some purchasers believe that a fireproof safe will safeguard everything because the word “fireproof” denotes resistance to fire. Data and media (such as pictures, CDs, DVDs, computer discs, and tapes) are sensitive to heat and moisture. The typical fireproof safe isn’t specifically designed to guard against these threats. 

Paper is protected by fireproof safes by keeping the interior temperature below 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the crucial temperature at which the paper will begin to scorch and burn. They use the steam and moisture they produce within the safe as a form of defense. At or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 85% relative humidity, any sensitive data or media will be severely damaged or destroyed. In today’s blog, we are going to talk about how fireproof safes work.

What Documents Should I Keep in a Fireproof Safe?

Safewell F1600E High end LED Light Indicator Safes Homes Fireproof Money Safes
Source: Safewell

There are certain crucial documents that we must all maintain. We have documents and cards, ranging from birth certificates to reward cards, that need to be well-organized in order to be accessible in an emergency. 

In the event of practically any catastrophic disaster, a fireproof safe will ensure that all the documents guarding you, your possessions, and your loved ones are secured. It will also let you preserve all your crucial information in one handy, private, and burglar-proof area.

1. Cash

Cash is being used less and less in this age of credit cards and online transactions. But if you lose everything in your house, especially if your wallet is burned, a money store might be really helpful. That charge card? In a house fire, which typically burns at 1500 degrees Fahrenheit, it will have melted away. The safe is so thin that any cash that is not inside will have burnt as well.

Therefore, having a stash of a few hundred dollars in hard cash can help us survive the trauma of losing our home to a fire. Money could be stored in a few suitable Small safes.

2. Birth Certificates

You require a birth certificate for every single thing, according to Real Simple: “To enroll in schools or the military; to obtain a passport; to receive a driver’s license or a marriage license; to apply for public and private benefits if you lack a passport (like retirement and insurance benefits). To enroll your child in elementary school or Little League, you must also provide a copy of their birth certificate as identification. You can obtain a copy of your birth certificate easily and affordably, so keep one with a family member, one in your safe deposit box, and one in your fireproof safe.

3. Insurance Documents

One of the first issues you’ll have to deal with is insurance if one of the following occurs to your house: fire, tornado, flood, or hurricane. You’ll need this information immediately if your house is damaged in a fire, CBS advises, adding that it should be kept in a secure location with “current insurance policies and agent contact information.”

4. Last Will

Especially if you own a lot of assets, putting together a testament may be expensive, time-consuming, and exhausting. Together with your partner and attorney, you need to sit down and talk about what you want to happen to your possessions. All of your hard work and effort is lost if your will is destroyed. So, as a precaution, we would store a copy of our will in the fireproof safe.

Asking your attorney to keep a second copy of that will offsite as a backup in case your testament is destroyed is also a smart idea. Even the contents of your safe could catch fire if it doesn’t have a high enough fireproof rating, which is often determined by the Underwriters Laboratory certification and testing program.

5. Passport

If your wallet or purse is stolen or misplaced, a passport will serve as your ID for all needs. It will also enable you to travel abroad and will be useful if two or more kinds of photo ID are needed.

6. Financial Documents

If there was ever a time when you were required to access your money, it would be just after a house was destroyed. Even if your home is ever destroyed, you’ll want to keep items like “essential papers pertaining to investments, retirement plans, bank accounts, and associated contact information,” according to Legalzoom.

7. Phots

At the first hint of fire, everything made of paper will catch fire. That also includes images. Let’s say you still have any old photo originals. In that situation, it would be wise to think about putting them in a fireproof safe to protect them from any unintentional fires. However, we also believe that keeping a USB drive with an electronic copy of your images on it in the fireproof safe is a good idea.

8. Jewelry

Jewels belonging to the “family” must go in the safe! Many people retain their grandmother’s wedding band and a few inherited military medals in the safe. Of course, they will be displayed on the veteran day, but for the most part, these are priceless items that are carefully maintained so that future generations can inherit them.

FAQs

Safewell FP1901E 30 Minutes Fire Protection Electronic Fireproof Hotel Weight Safe Box
Source: Safewell

What are the fire rating tests for fireproof safes?

Each fireproof safe has a fire rating to show how much protection it offers. These ratings, which are stated in minutes, indicate the length of time that the safe can survive flames without any damage to its contents.

The sort of contents that the safe has been built to safeguard will typically be indicated by the safe’s fire rating, such as paper (P), data (D), or diskettes (DIS). Paper is the most durable of the three, withstanding temperatures of up to 177°C. To find out what kinds of contents a safe can safeguard, you should always study the safe’s specification attentively.

Today, many producers construct their safes in accordance with global fire-resistant requirements and send them to unbiased testing facilities for evaluation. A safe can be put through a huge variety of different fire tests. A safe may need to undergo drop/shock tests, tests to assess whether it might explode if subjected to quick, intense heating, and other tests, despite the fact that many tests share commonalities (explosion hazard or explosive testing).

A safe is often given a certificate if it passes a test at an independent lab. The best assurance of a safe’s capacity to resist fire is provided by this certification, like UL certificates.

What’s the best lock mechanism for a fireproof safe?

  • Key Lock: These locking devices are simply referred to as key locks. But you must remember where you put the key. If it’s kept in the safe room, it might catch fire or be discovered by burglars.
  • Mechanical combination lock: With a mechanical combination lock, you don’t need to handle keys and you won’t have to be concerned about a dead battery or an electronic malfunction. In case of an emergency, certain mechanical locks additionally have a key lock. However, with a mechanical combination lock, your options are more constrained.
  • Electronic Combination Lock: More password alternatives are available with electronic combination locks, and you don’t have to worry about misplacing the key. Some versions, meanwhile, necessitate routine battery replacements. A backup key may be included with an electronic lock, similar to mechanical locks, in case you lose your code.
  • Biometric lock: To access the safe, biometric locks scan a user’s fingerprint or retina. You don’t need to keep track of a key or memorize a code. Some people might have a backup key for security purposes.

Is a fireproof safe easy to break into?

Safes that are fireproof are not intended to be impenetrable time capsules or to keep out intruders. Consider a safe that is fixed to your floor or perhaps a safe-deposit box at a nearby bank if you have jewels, precious metals, or anything else of high value that you don’t need quick access to. A bank vault is much more difficult for a criminal to break into than your home is. These document safes should not be utilized as gun safes because they are not. Only invest in custom gun safes. 

But because inexpensive fireproof safes often include a latch secured by a straightforward key lock as their main locking mechanism. But regrettably, these safes can frequently be opened with just a paperclip. They are therefore not incredibly secure.

Where should I keep my fireproof safe?

Knowing where to store a safe in your house will help you prevent the wrong individuals from finding your most valuable belongings. It also facilitates quick and simple access to your possessions. Consider what you’ll use the safe for before deciding on a location. Will it be used to store pricey jewels, wads of cash, or priceless family heirlooms? Place these in your closet or a safe in your master bedroom or bathroom. Think about how often you’ll be using your safe. If you intend to put valuable everyday goods inside of the safe, such as a wallet or your camera, then place it in a spot you can readily reach to. Keeping your safety in an accessible area will encourage you to use it.

Nobody wants to spend every day stooping into an attic or cellar to obtain anything. To avoid damage, your safe should be located on the first floor of your house if it weighs more than 1,000 pounds. Speak to a specialist for advice if you have questions regarding the safe’s size before you buy it.

Safes need to be handled differently because they are not all created equal. For instance, rooms with high levels of humidity or dampness should not include safes with electronic locks. This includes any bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, or garages. Moisture or humidity may be a factor in the locks’ malfunction. The firm floor in your garage or basement makes a great place to store your fireproof safe.

What are the leading UL-rated safe brands?

Safewell logo
Source: Safewell

Most of the fireproof safes you’ll discover for residential usage are produced by many well-known companies, including Safewell, First Alert, Honeywell, and SentrySafe. However, we advise Safewell. 

The Safewell Group has grown from its modest beginnings in 1998 into a fully integrated business and trade enterprise that serves a variety of industries.

Their dependable supply chain, several top-notch factories with cutting-edge machinery, and helpful marketing resources all work together to supply the industry with customized safety items for the international market.

As the market leader in security products, Safewell aims to create a sense of security in both the home and business sectors. They use creativity and commitment to give our customers top-notch goods and services in order to achieve this goal. Future leaders are actively developed and nurtured by them, becoming dependable torchbearers for Safewell’s next generation. You can contact Safewell, a reputed fireproof safe manufacturer for more information.

How do you determine the size of a safe?

The first decision you should make before purchasing a safe is its SIZE. Safes are constructed to only the company’s “standard” sizes, which might vary significantly from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is best to take some of the bigger items you want to keep in a protective enclosure into consideration. Take special note of the largest item and its three measurements. This holds true regardless of whether you choose to buy a fire or burglar safe. Always allocate at least 25% more room than you anticipate needing. 

This is for two very excellent reasons: first, you might have forgotten some stuff or might acquire more; and second, a safe that is 25% larger won’t cost 25% more. You must first ascertain the range of sizes before you can pinpoint the Interior size.

Additionally, some predefined standards for fire resistance or burglar resistance are met while building safes. A fire-resistant safe can be used to store irrevocable paper documents and records, but if the contents are primarily valuables of the sort that are burglary “target Items,” a burglar-resistant safe should be chosen.

Can Fire Safes be Reused?

Safewell FP1904E steel fire safe fire resistant safe box
Source: Safewell

A finished fire-rated safe made of simple drywall and has survived a fire. Now the gypsum is powder. It no longer possesses any fire resistance. After a fire, a fire-rated safe cannot be used again since the gypsum no longer offers fire protection. The fire resistance of drywall that has been strengthened with fiberglass or vermiculite has been lost, but it will keep together better (or won’t break apart).

Despite the fact that a fire safe cannot be used again, get in touch with the safe’s maker. Many manufacturer’s warranties provide a lifelong safe replacement in the event of a fire. As a result, you can receive a free new fire safe.

Conclusion

It is always so disappointing when you lose your treasured items in events like fire and that is where fireproof safes come in handy. Safewell one of the best safe manufacturers globally will get you the best safes to have your items secured. They produce different safes including residential safes like jewelry safes and commercial safes like drug safes. 

Safewell’s competence is unrivaled when it comes to providing the market with professionally-made safes for commercial and domestic use at reasonable pricing. Contact us for any inquiry and get yourself the best quality of the fireproof safe.

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