Overview of All Ratings (Ordered from lowest to highest level of protection)

Class 350 (1/2 hour – 4 hours):

  • This is the most common class of devices and is suitable for storing most types of material. This includes paper products, jewellery, and guns.
  • Fire Endurance Test – Maintains internal temperature of no more than 350°F during heating and cooling periods. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.
  • Explosion Test – Unit heated to 2000°F for 20, 30, 45, or 50 minutes (1/2 hour, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3-4 hour rating). Explosion must not occur when unit is opened and paper test material is placed inside. Test material as well as mechanisms must maintain integrity after cooling.
  • Impact Test – Unit dropped 30 feet after endurance test or explosion test, then inverted and reheated. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.

Class 150 (1/2 hour – 4 hours):

  • Certification was originally introduced for the storage of computer data tapes or magnetic reel-to-reel tapes. These devices are capable of storing most types of delicate material including hard drives, compact disks, and photographs.
  • Fire Endurance Test – Maintains internal temperature of no more than 150°F and 85% humidity during heating and cooling periods. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.
  • Explosion Test – Unit heated to 2000°F for 20, 30, 45, or 50 minutes (1/2 hour, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3-4 hour rating). Explosion must not occur when unit is opened and paper test material is placed inside. Test material as well as mechanisms must maintain integrity after cooling.
  • Impact Test – Unit dropped 30 feet after endurance test or explosion test, then inverted and reheated. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.

Class 125 (1/2 hour – 4 hours):

  • Certification was originally introduced for the storage of floppy disks. These devices are capable of storing virtually any type of delicate material including floppy disks, compact disks, and photographs.
  • Fire Endurance Test – Maintains internal temperature of no more than 125°F and 80% humidity during heating and cooling periods. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.
  • Explosion Test – Unit heated to 2000°F for 20, 30, 45, or 50 minutes (1/2 hour, 1 hour, 2 hour, 3-4 hour rating). Explosion must not occur when unit is opened and paper test material is placed inside. Test material as well as mechanisms must maintain integrity after cooling.
  • Impact Test – Unit dropped 30 feet after endurance test or explosion test, then inverted and reheated. Paper test material and mechanisms must maintain integrity.

Heating Times and Temperatures

Time Temperature
5 minutes 1000
10 minutes 1300
30 minutes 1550
1 hour 1700
2 hours 1850
3 hours 1925
4 hours 2000

Impact Test Times

Classification Time Time Before Drop Exposure Time After Drop
1/2 hour 20 minutes 20 minutes
1 hour 30 minutes 30 minutes
2 hours 45 minutes 45 minutes
3 or 4 hours 60 minutes 60 minutes