Protecting vital legal documents, valuables, heirlooms, and other irreplaceable items from an unexpected tragedy such as a fire, is an essential undertaking one must engage in to help their family feel safe and secure. A fire resistant safe will ensure that you will have your important items protected so that if a fire breaks out, you can concentrate on getting everyone out of the home.

Choosing a Fire Safe

When choosing a safe, you must consider what type of items you will be storing and what degree of protection is required. The first step is to look at the UL rating assigned to the safe. The UL rating is determined by Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit independent testing organization. UL ratings are measured by temperature and time. For instance, paper will burn at around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want a fire safe that will protect documents, look for at least a UL 350. When assessing time, a 2 hour rated safe means that it will last at least 2 hours in a fire. A UL 350 one hour safe should be the minimum you consider. A 2 hour safe will clearly give you better protection.

Most safes are fire-resistant, not fireproof. Rated by the Underwriters Laboratories, they are assigned different classifications. Class-C fire-resistant safes will protect paper from a 1,700-degree fire for one hour.  A Class-B safe will protect for two hours at 1,850-degrees. A class-A will protect for four hours at 2,000-degrees.

Fire Safes are normally made of a thin metal double wall and have a fire-resistant insulating material between the walls (usually gel or foam material.) A fire-resistant safe is a type of safe that is designed to protect its contents from high temperatures. Fire resistant safes are usually rated by the amount of time they can withstand the extreme temperatures a fire produces, while not going above a set internal temperature. Models are generally available between half-hour and four-hour durations. Fire Safes have a minimum level of security because they are designed to protect against fire. Fire Resistant Safes have to maintain an internal temperature at the point below which documents will be destroyed (below 350 degrees C.)  These fire safes provide the fire protection for 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes

Fire Resistant Wall Safes are designed to protect against fire. Fire safes keep the temperature within the safe below the point at which paper burns. They are rated according to the amount of time the safe can maintain the temperature. Most wall safe fall between thirty minutes and two hours.

A wall safe can be an indispensable way to improve the security of your home or business. It is very sturdy, easy to hide, and comes in a number of different types. Wall safes require a particular framing and it is better to place them as low to the floor as possible because if a there is a fire, the temperature is lower at ground level. These wall fire safes are very practical for those of us who value their possessions, but don't want to keep them in a bank. They are easy to install, access, and they do not require special modifications of the interior or design of the house.

Fire / Burglary Safes - Usually home Fire/Burglary Safes are used to prevent stealing or destruction of valuable property. These safes are normally placed in the floor or in the walls. They are normally multi-purpose offer quality protection against thefts and fire. They are designed like a burglary safe and a fire safe, but have a secondary wall inside, which contains insulation that helps sustain a low temperature.

Data Fire Safes - Computer ware can be easily damaged. Manufacturers recommend not exposing computer media to temperatures over 125 ° F or humidity over 85%. You will need a specialized safe to protect computer documents like disks from fire. Data Fire Safes maintain less than the temperature point that data is destroyed. (52 degrees C)  They also protect against high humidity and electro magnetic pollution.

Fire Safes – A Valuable Investment

No one wants a flood or fire, but it's comforting to know that if something should happen, your items and valuables will be protected. It is not worth investing in a cheaper and lower quality safe that won’t protect your valuables. You can find a quality safe at a quality price. As well, it is an added extra insurance that will help you sleep better at night.