Are Fireproof Safes Really Fireproof?

Need somewhere to secure valuable items at home or in the workplace? Got too many paper documents and not enough space to house them all?

Fireproof safes are great for protecting files, records, and cash notes from heat and smoke damage. Depending on the make and model of the safe, it may be possible to stow other treasured items in it too – keeping them out of sight of opportunistic criminals.

Because the word ‘fireproof’ means able to withstand fire or substantial heat, most people assume that a fireproof safe will protect all data and media (i.e. photographs, CDs, DVDs and USBs, etc.). But 9 out of 10 times, this isn’t the case.

Which begs the question – is a fireproof safe really fireproof?

The truth about fireproof safes

A fireproof safe is basically a storage unit that’s made in a way to minimise the amount of heat transferred from the outside to the inside, should a fire break out.

It keeps the internal temperature below 350°C, which is the critical temperature where the paper will become damaged. And to keep the temperature as low as possible, for as long as possible, they create steam.

Sensitive data and media are susceptible to heat and moisture, so may be seriously damaged or destroyed in the event of a fire.

Are they 100% fireproof?

Although we hate to admit it, there is no such thing as a truly fireproof safe.

Fireproof safes are only effective within a specified time frame.

For example, a UL certified safe should offer up to 30 minutes of resistance for temperatures no higher than 843°C, whereas a UL1 rated safe offers 60 minutes of resistance for temperatures up to 927°C.

As you’d expected, the better-rated safes tend to offer more fire resistance for higher temperatures, but these also cost the most.

In some cases, even if it has a 30, 60, 90 or 120-minute fire rating – if a fire burns hot enough or long enough – the safe (and its contents) will be destroyed.

Is a fireproof safe worth the investment?

Although we can’t promise that a fireproof safe will come out of a blaze unscathed, with your possessions intact, we firmly believe you should at least consider investing in one for your home or business.

Stowing items inside one of these ‘fire-resistant’ safes will offer an extra line of protection – keeping the heat and smoke at bay for longer and ensuring your contents are safe.

To maximise your chances of protecting your safe and its contents, we recommend you install it in a place that’s less prone to heat. This could be in the cellar or the corner of a room in the downstairs of your house, but never upstairs.

Heat rises, so if your fireproof safe is positioned on the upper floors in your house, it will be exposed to higher temperatures. It’s also worth noting that, if the fire is severe enough, a heavy safe installed upstairs could come crashing down to the floor below.

If you really must keep your fireproof safe upstairs, consider installing a sprinkler above it.

Want to know more?

If you have any questions about the safes we supply here at eSafes, or fireproof safes in general, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.

Always on hand to help, we’d love to hear from you and offer our expert guidance and support.

Either give us a call on 0800 783 2328 or email info@esafes.co.uk, and we’ll get back to you.