Fireproof safes–are they really fireproof—principles explained

So, to dig deeper into the question of whether fireproof safes are fireproof, and what makes them fire resistant, we need to look closely at the data gathering, testing standards and methods, and certifications of fireproof safes. More on these aspects is below:

Fireproof safes — how fire resistant are they?

First of all, let it be clear that no safe is entirely fireproof. Fire resistance of safes is the time a safe can withstand heat and fire at a given temperature. Fireproof safes are made to keep documents and valuables safe from destruction in a fire and they are generally capable of withstanding very high temperature and keeping the internal temperature at a safe level usually 350°F (about 177°C) or less.

The materials and design of fireproof safes

The fire-resistance of fireproof safes is largely due to their designated materials and design. Typically, these materials contain:

steel: This acts as the main structural component, giving sturdiness and impact resistance and protecting the contents within due to its strong shell.

gypsum: For its fire-resistant properties, gypsum is widely used because its ability to absorb and isolate heat in a fire.

ceramic fibre insulation: this substance is a great heat resistance and insulation material to keep the safe interior temperature under control

Some high-end safes may also incorporate fireproof materials like vermiculite, perlite and fire sealants, in order to provide additional fire protection.

Another critical point about how a fireproof safe performs in a fire is its design. Here are some of the high-level design elements:

double wall construction: a fireproof material is poured between the inner and outer steel panels creating a seamless fire barrier.

fireproof sealing: one motion sealing design at doors and gaps prevents smoke and flames from entering inside the safe.

fireproof locks: the locks continue to work at high temperatures, hence, the safe will not be easily opened.

Standard for Fireproof Safe Test

The fire resistance of fireproof safes is tested in a number of rigorous test. Typically, these tests are conducted by independent third-party labs according to established criteria for determining the performance of the safe in a fire. Test standards are available for:

UL722: The standard is developed by Underwriters Laboratories (USA), and it has multiple classes specified depending on the type of content it needs to protect. For instance, UL Class 350 1-hour means that in a fire, the safe would protect paper for possession for at least 1 hour with an internal temperature not exceeding 350°F (177°C).

ETL Certification — Issued by Intertek Testing Services, there are also number of classifications included like ETL Verified Fire Endurance (for paper documents) and ETL Verified Fire Protection of Digital Media (for digital media)

CEN Standards: The European Committee for Standardisation develops standards like EN 15659, which provide EI ratings that combine fire resistance and water resistance testing.

The length of time a fireproof safe can protect its contents from damage under standard test conditions is their fire resistance time. These are usually expressed in minutes or hours(30 mins, 1 hr, 2 hr, and the like). Different designs and materials of safes come with different fire resistance times, depending on the test standards that it has successfully passed in the past.

Certification of Fire Safes

There are two distinctions of fire resistance rating for safes. Here are some global-level certification bodies:

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) : a globally recognized certification body providing fire resistance test and certification.

ETL (Intertek Testing Services): Fire Standards Certification. 3.

CEN (★EBP ⇒ ESEE⇒EAE ⇒ EADE (European Committee for Standardization)) - Provides Europe-wide certification of fire resistance and water resistance.

Fireproof safes for extra protection

A robust fireproof safe can also come equipped with waterproofing and moisture resistance features that can protect their items from water damage. This is especially true for areas that might be subject to water damage due to a fire. For example, safes designed for electronic data can protect hard drives and other devices from heat damage as well.

So, to recap, fireproof safes protect what they hold in a fire because they use special materials, are carefully designed, and have gone through rigorous testing and certification. Though no safe is 100 percent fireproof, a good fireproof safe can provide the needed protection for documents and valuables in a fire. By selecting your fireproof safe wisely, you are adding one more level of protection for you and your family. To make the right choice, there are a few crucial factors that you need to consider when choosing a fireproof safe: fire rating, size, storage requirements, and budget.