Fireproof File Buying Guide

Everyone has important things to keep safe. Documents such as birth certificates, bonds, letters as well as valuables like jewelry, money and other precious items need to be properly protected. Having a fireproof file or safe in the home or business is the best way to secure these items confidently. Fireproof safes can be used as suitable replacements for safety deposit boxes as well.

Fireproof file cabinets and data safes provide the very highest level of protection from fires, impact damage, theft, and even explosions. Along with being tested and highly rated by the widely revered Underwriters Laboratories® (UL®), our fireproof file cabinets can also match your décor. We offer premium finishes to complement nearly any contemporary office design.

Underwriters Laboratories Ratings

Be sure to buy only (UL) certified fireproof files or safes. These products have undergone extensive independent tests to ensure the rating and quality of the cabinet or safe. The Underwriters Laboratories is the trusted source of product compliance recognized globally. We only sell products that are tested accordingly.

Paper vs. Media Fireproof Protection

The main difference between protecting paper documents versus media (cd's, computer disks, film, photography proofs, etc.) is the difference between their ignition times. Paper documents typically begin to accrue damage at 350° F and fireproof storage for paper will only be certified if the internal temperature does not exceed this. Media, however is susceptible to damage from both heat and humidity more quickly. Media begins to sustain damage when the internal temperature of the file or safe exceeds 125° F and the humidity is 80%. Files and safes will only be certified media safe if the internal temperature and humidity does not exceed this in the event of a fire.

If you need to protect both media and paper it is recommended to purchase a fireproof media file or safe. We offer many for you to choose from in 1, 2 and 3 hour fire protection ratings.

Fireproof Hourly Ratings

1,2 and 3 hour fire ratings mean exactly what you might have already thought, the time that the contents of the fireproof storage will protect its contents for. What you may not have known is that fires typically move very quickly. The average house or office fire moves through the building from one zone to another at great speed. Please be sure to note the capacity for extended fire times based on the location of the fireproof file or safe. For example chemical companies typically employ a 2 or 3 hour rated file or safe because of the environment and increased volatility.

Also, almost all fireproof files are tested to withstand an impact rating of 30 feet. The impact test simulates the possibility of a fireproof safe or file to fall through a damaged floor/ceiling and still maintain it's fire safe quality.

Fireproof safes and files are used to store important items and protect them in the event of a fire.

These include:

Financial Documents
Birth Certificates
Bank Statements
Birth / Death Certificates
Business Contracts
Custody Documents
Deeds
Divorce / Settlement Papers
Insurance Policies
Marriage Certificates
Mortgage Papers
Passports
Prescriptions
Product Warranties
Stock / Bond Certificates
Tax Papers
Wills

If you have any further questions please feel free to call us at 1(888) 258-3436, we have many years in the industry and will be able to aptly answer any of your concerns.