Fireproof Safes FAQ

What fireproof safe should I buy?
The fireproof safe that you will need is dependent on what it will be used for and where it will be used. Along with the amount of storage space required, a safe will also need to be rated for its eventual contents. UL125 is the recommended rating for any computer media, photographs, jewelry, film, or any other sensitive items, while UL350 is required for proper protection of paper documents.

What do the fireproof rating UL125 and UL350 actually mean?
UL125 and UL350 refer to the temperature the interior of the product will be allowed to reach in the event of a fire. Paper products burn when they reach over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, so they need a safe that has a UL rating of UL350 or lower. Computer media is typically destroyed in temperatures over 125 degrees Fahrenheit so they need a UL rated product of UL125 for adequate protection.

Many fireproof safes also seemed to be rated for waterproofing. Why is this?
Typically, where there is fire there is also water. Fire hoses can release up to 250 gallons of water per minute while overhead sprinklers distribute about 30 gallons per minute. Water is often the cause for document loss and, in the event that your home or business is involved in a fire, the items in your safe will need just as much protection from the fire surrounding them as they will the water trying to put the fire out.

Are fireproof safes also impact tested?
Not all fireproof safes are impact tested as the UL rating for impact testing is only for fireproof safes with a UL rating of 72. Impact testing is done by heating the safe to about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit and then dropping it from 30 feet onto broken brick and concrete. Impact testing is meant to simulate the conditions of a floor collapsing in a structural fire.