Keep Important Documents Safe From Damage with the Best Fireproof Safes
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Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 2111 Steel Fireproof Safe -
SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Safe -
SentrySafe Waterproof Fireproof Safe -
First Alert Chest Fireproof Safe -
Buyer's Guide
You’ve bucked the trend. You’ve defied the odds. You’ve avoided the radar and the box of cash underneath your mattress is overflowing. You need a fireproof safe, but which one? Oh my, wouldn’t we all like to have those kinds of problems. Well maybe it isn’t a box load of cash you are trying to protect just some important papers, keepsakes, electronic and the like, a fireproof safe is just what you are going to need. These safes should be evaluated first on UL rating which will tell you how much heat a particular unit can take and for how long. Secondly you will probably want a waterproof model because, if there was a fire they would put it out with water and what good would your stuff be if it didn’t burn but it was irreparably water damaged. And thirdly, you may want to consider buying a safe for fire, water and theft protection so it’s strength, weight and durability should be factored in. So sit back and enjoy the peace of mind you’ll have knowing all of your valuables are safe and secure. Check out our list of the best fireproofs in 2022.
Detailing the Best Fireproof Safe of 2022
Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 2111 Steel Fireproof Safe - Best Fireproof Safe Overall
The best fireproof safe for most homeowner and consumer needs is the Honeywell 2092D Waterproof Fire Safe. It is UL rated for one hour of fire resistance for flames up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit outside while keeping the internal temperature to less than 350 degrees. At 1.3 cubic feet of internal storage space, if you need more storage than this you will be able to afford a much bigger safe. Besides protection against the water that would be used to fight a fire, this safe will actually float making it easy to find in the event of a flood. This Honeywell safe comes with 5-year manufacturer’s warranty. At 91 pounds it is difficult to move and would be a challenge to carry off in a hurry.
SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Safe - Runner Up
For the needs of the average homeowner, the LockState LS-30J Dial Fireproof Safe is the number two best fireproof safe. It is UL rated for one hour at 1800 degrees, which will withstand in time and temperature most fires that could occur in the home. It is made of thick walled, powder-coated steel. It has a four-dial combination lock and comes with two override keys. Weighing in at less than 70 pounds, this unit is movable for the homeowner but can be bolted to a wall or the floor, which is highly recommended if you are thinking of theft protection. Moderately priced for excellent fire protection but be prepared to pay a little more if you want a safe with water protection as well.
SentrySafe Waterproof Fireproof Safe - Honorable Mention
A technologically significant addition to the best fireproof safe list is the SentrySafe QA0121 Fire-Safe Waterproof Data Storage Chest. This has a powered USB port that will connect directly to your home or laptop computer. It will then connect to a user supplied outside storage device that will be housed in the safe and protected from fire and water damage. In terms that we can all understand, this unit will protect an external computer storage device from fire and water damage. It is also designed to protect your important CD and DVD’s. SentrySafe also gets high marks for consistency and superior customer service.
First Alert Chest Fireproof Safe - Consider
If it’s hanging files you are trying to protect, the First Alert 2037F Fire and Water File Chest, 0.62 Cubic Foot is for you. This unit provides one half hour of fire protection for your important 8 1/2 x 11 documents at 1550 degrees Fahrenheit. It will also protect valuable papers and photographs from water damage and the company claims that it will stay waterproof even when fully submerged. Nothing fancy here just safe and secure file storage. Comes with a five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and a full lifetime replacement plan in the event of fire damage.
Buyer's Guide
Safes are used to store items away. We cannot lock everything away in the bank vault. Certain items need to be kept nearby and safe. Regular safes do an excellent job of safeguarding items kept inside them and keep intruders at bay. However, the safety of the items kept inside a regular safe is jeopardized in the event of a fire outbreak. Fireproof safes are designed to save the day in case of such an eventuality. They serve as a barrier between the content of the safe and the raging inferno as well as its attendant heat.
The review of the best fireproof safes has presented the best fireproof safes available. This buying guide explains the specifics of fireproof safes in detail and answers frequently asked questions. It also outlines the factors to consider before buying a fireproof safe to ultimately help you make the best choice of fireproof safe to buy.
How do Fireproof Safes Work?
Fireproof safes are like regular safes in appearance, but they are usually heavier because of the extra layers of fire-resistant materials added to the safe. The body of a fireproof safe is made up of two walls – an outer wall and an inner wall that directly encases the content of the safe. The space between the two walls is filled with a fire retardant material that insulates the safe’s interior. The choice of fire retardant material varies from brand to brand.
Some of the most common fire retardant materials used include mineral wool, fire-protected concrete, sodium silicate, and vermiculite. The fire retardant material helps keep the safe’s interior temperature as cool as possible during a fire outbreak. It does this by releasing vapor that keeps the safe’s temperature at a non-combustible level.
What are the Things to Consider before Buying Fireproof Safes
There are fireproof safes of different sizes and shapes. For the best result, some factors should be considered when buying a fireproof safe.
Fireproof rating
Since the distinguishing feature between a regular safe and a fireproof safe is fire resistance, the first thing to consider when buying a fireproof safe is the fire rating. Fireproof safes usually have fire ratings that state how long the safe can keep out fire and the maximum temperature it can withstand. Fireproof safes on the lower end resist fire for 30 minutes. Some can go 1 hour, 2 hours, or 4 hours without letting fire in.
Nature of safe contents
The ultimate aim of having a fireproof safe is to safeguard the items stored therein. For items that carry information, the information should also be retrievable. The data on materials like paper, DVD, and floppy disks are destroyed at different temperature and humidity levels. Hence, the nature of the item to be stored in the safe should be considered. For example, paper degrades at 3500 F and film at 1500 F.
Size
One of the fundamental things to consider before buying a fireproof safe is the size of the safe. The size of the safe you will buy will also be determined by the size of the items you want to store in them. For example, the size of a safe intended to be used to store a laptop will be considerably bigger than the size of a safe intended to keep a flash drive. The price of safes also tends to be directly proportional to the size, meaning that the bigger the size, the higher the cost.
Safety features
All the concentration with fireproof safes is on its ability to resist fire. However, thought should be given to the safety features too. Apart from fire outbreaks, a fireproof safe should be able to keep out intruders. Features like pry-resistant hinges that keep out prying tools like crowbars and screwdrivers help to improve safety. Anchor bolts also help bolt the safe to the ground or a wall, making them hard to move for potential intruders.
Type of lock
The type of lock available on a fireproof safe is an extension of the safety features. The lock on a safe could be mechanical, electronic, or biometric.
Mechanical locks
Mechanical looks could either come in the form of a key lock or a combination lock. A key lock requires a physical key to open the safe. Only a person holding the key can access the safe.
A combination key, on the other hand, requires a specific combination to open the safe.
Electronic locks
Usually powered by batteries, electronic locks allow multiple users to access the safe with a single code or multiple codes. In an electronic lock with multiple codes, individuals access the safe with their codes so that there can be records of who opened the safe and when. This record can be accessed on an integrated screen or downloaded on a computer with a management code.
Biometric locks
Biometric locks are like electronic locks in that they use batteries. However, users do not need codes to access the safe; they access the safe with their fingerprints, iris, or retina. Multiple users can be granted access to biometric locks once their biometric data is captured and authorized.
How much do Fireproof Safes Cost?
Fireproof safes cost as low as $50, and there are high-end safes that cost $2500. The price of the safe is proportional to the quality and fire resistance ability of the safes. A middle ground between efficiency and cost can be found with safes between the $350 and $1,200 price range.
FAQs
Q: How long should a safe be fireproof?
A: On average, an inferno does not exceed 20 minutes in a room. This means a safe with a 30-minute fire-resistance rating will suffice. However, the fire could rage on for longer depending on the items fueling it.
Q: Are fireproof safes really fireproof?
A: When it comes to safe, fireproof is a term used to mean fire-resistant. Fireproof safes only resist fire for a specified period which is often enough to safeguard the items stored.
Q: Where is the best place to put a fireproof safe?
A: The best place to put a fireproof safe is a place less likely to catch fire. This creates a double layer of protection in case of a fire outbreak.
