Fire Protection Safes

What Is A Fireproof Safe?

A fireproof-rated safe, often described as a fire-resistant safe, can withstand external fires and extreme heat sources. These safes are designed to maintain an internal temperature below 350 F (177 C) during a fire. This is important because paper can naturally combust at a temperature above this threshold without an open flame.

Using flame-resistant composite materials, a fireproof safe can safely protect legal documents, cash, and other valuable items without the worry of possible damage. These safes can be installed with additional features to reduce the potential harm to the content items at the event of a fire emergency, such as an expanding door insulation layer and internal heat-trigger humidifiers.

What Is The Fire-Resistant Grading System For Safes In The U.S. And Canada?

The industry standard for grading a safe’s fireproof and resistance is by using the scale created and tested through Underwriters Laboratories. When determining how fireproof a safe may be, it is exposed to 3 separate tests under these standards:

Fire Endurance Test:

A safe is externally heated, during which the internal temperature is monitored for spikes at about the lowest fireproof threshold of 350 F (177 C). Each classification of fireproof safes will have its own unique internal temperature point it must meet in order to be certified.

Explosion Test:

A safe will be heated to 2000°F for 20, 30, 45, or 50 minutes. Once the desired temperature is reached, the safe will be opened, and paper materials will be placed inside. A safe will fail to be certified as fireproof if an explosion occurs during this time.

Impact Test:

A safe is dropped 30 feet after the endurance or explosion test, then inverted and reheated. The paper test materials and locking mechanisms must maintain integrity to be classified as a fireproof safe.

The explosion and impact tests are a pass or fail when determining whether a safe is fire- resistant. Only the fire endurance test distinguishes the differences between each classification of fireproof safes.

• Class 350: with a maximum internal temperature of 350 F, this is the most common for storing various materials and possessions. This can include personal documents, jewelry, guns, and other unique valuables.

• Class 150: this class of fireproof safes is ideal for storing more delicate items such as photographs and film that are prone to melting or distorting during a fire. For a safe to be rated as Class 150, it must not have an internal temperature of 150 F during the fire endurance test.

• Class 125: this is the highest fireproof classification a safe can have. These safes can maintain an internal temperature of 125 F or lower, ensuring any material placed inside the safe is protected during a fire or extreme-heat scenario.

Does Size Matter When Determining If A Safe Is Fireproof?

No. The size of the safe does not determine if it will be fireproof. The materials the safe is composed of will decide if a safe will be classified as fireproof or not. If you are looking for a fireproof safe and are trying to figure out what size you will need, you should first examine what you plan on storing in it.

If you are looking for a safe to store guns, ammunition, and accessories, a fireproof gun safe is more suitable than a general residential safe. At INKAS® Safes, our products are constructed with high-quality materials, allowing for various configurations of fireproof safes to be adapted to meet your needs.

Purchasing A Fireproof Safe For Your Home

Our experienced staff at INKAS® Safes will be with you during every step of the safe-buying process. Our industry-leading fireproof safes allow your items to be stored securely without fear of being damaged during an unpredictable fire.