There are two primary reasons to obtain a safe. One you want to protect your valuables from theft and two you want to protect your very important documents from a fire. Therefore, you will want to invest in a fire resistant safe. Safes are available in the traditional format or upright for firearms storage. Fire retardant safes are available in both types. Safes can have either combination locks or key lock or both.

Fireproof VS Fire Resistant Safes

A fireproof safe is rated at 1,700 0F for 60 minutes. Most home fires burn for about 20 minutes at about 700 0F in a single area. The linings are perlite or vermiculite, as used in fireproof doors and cabinets. These materials are lightweight and inert, meaning fire proof. A commercial form of fire proof insulation is ‘insulite’ a product developed and patented by the Schwab Corporation. Underwriters Laboratories rates safes by temperature and exposure time. Hence the specs above for a fireproof safe. The 1,700 0F for 60 minutes rating is recognized by most insurance companies and complies with the majority of stand policy specifications.

Paper Document & Media File Storage

Document protection for computer media falls under the UL class 125 that calls for an internal temperature not to exceed 125 0F and this specification also includes waterproofing, with a door gasket. Originally written to provide protection for floppy disks, it is a bit of an overkill for optical media that have been tested to 350 0F, but read tests were not conducted for optical media like Blu-ray, DVD, CD, etc. Class 150 sustains a temperature below 150 0F and was designed for tape and optical media, and of course both ratings will secure paper documents as well. Class 150 can be had in waterproof versions as well. Pure paper docs fall under the Class 350 and you guessed it the internal temperature is below 350 0F as the autoignition temperature of paper is about 450 0F. There is an internal storage case rating as well. A class 350 safe can be uprated to Class 125 with the proper cases.

Safe Tamper Proofing

Next tamper proofing. UL has classes for tamper proofing as well. Take the class TL-15 this spec is a combination lock with limited protection against combination attacks of common and electrical tools. It will resist attacks for up to 15 minutes. Other ratings up to TXTL-60 will resist attack even by cutting torches and abrasive cutoff disks. It will resist up to 4 ounces of nitroglycerin for one charge. You will also pay a premium for this rating.
Key locks are fast opening if you know where your keys are, rotating combo locks are slower but are attached to the safe. Keypads are best for gun safes for speedy entry. Safes should be attached to floor or walls. A $1000 safe is not much good if it can be removed from the home and loaded into a pickup to be defeated at leisure.

Safe Service & More in KILLEEN, AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO, ROUND ROCK, SAN MARCOS, FRISCO, NEW BRAUNFELS & HOUSTON TEXAS

So, balance your needs with requirements. Storing jewelry, coin collections, gems, etc. you need a high resistance to tampering with moderate fire protection. Storing wills, property and insurance records you need a fire Class 350 fire rating, but if you have the grandkids’ pictures on DVD or thumb drives you need a 125 or 250 class fire rating. A lot to consider, do your homework or ask a professional. Contact Texan Lock & Key for all your lock, key and safe needs!