Comparison of Home Fire Safes

Fire safe ratings are based on how long they protect certain items.

Home fire safes are small safes designed specifically for use in private homes. These safes typically combine burglar-proof aspects to avoid theft along with construction features that resist heat in case of fire. Homeowners use these safes to protect both valuable and important documents from fire.

Types

The two primary types of fire safes are those intended for paper and those made for media, such as videotapes, compact discs and microfilm. Because different materials react differently to fire temperatures, the two types of safes are constructed with different degrees of protection. Paper fire safes are typically created to resist temperatures of 350 degrees F or higher for an extended period of time because any temperature above that puts paper in danger. Media safes have much more strict guidelines and are able to keep temperatures within the safes down to 125 degrees F and their inner humidity low.

Fire Ratings

Fire safes are rated specifically on how long they can withstand certain temperatures. Many fire safes are referred to by hours. A one-hour paper fire safe, for instance, can keep temperatures in the safe from going above 350 degrees F for one hour when outside temperatures are higher. A two-hour paper safe does the same job but for two hours. More detailed ratings tend to specify minutes, too. For home safes, it is unusual that more than a one-hour safe is needed because houses tend to burn quickly.

Fireboard

Fireboard safes have multiple panels of fire-resistant substances that resist high temperatures. These safes use drywall-like substrates of material that makes them lighter that other safes and provide brief fire protection. Because the material used to make these safes is less expensive than other versions, they do not cost as much.

Reinforced Fireboard

Reinforced fireboard safes use much thicker metal beams that transfer heat outside of the safe. To save space, the fireboard layers tend to be thinner, but the thicker metal covering provides a greater degree of protection, especially from burglars.

Metal Composite

Metal composite safes are usually made of thick metal and hardened composite materials (typically fiberglass-like resins) that are poured into the safe mold. This version attempts to offer maximum protection from long-lasting fires, and it comes with largely freestanding layers that keep heat from being transferred into the safe along the metal supports.

References

• VaultAndSafe.com: Electronic Fire Safes Information
• Brown Safe: Three Main Types of Fire Safes
• SafeAndVaultStore.com: Fire Ratings