Fire Safe Styles of Safes

Document Storage

• Homeowners may prefer a small home fireproof chest for storage of important personal documents or irreplaceable mementos. Fireproof Safes.com recommends considering a safe that is rated as waterproof in addition to being fireproof, as attempts to extinguish a fire may also endanger your valuable items and documents. They also remind consumers that not all safes are tested against impact, which could affect your items in the event of structural collapse. Other factors to consider in purchasing a safe include explosion resistance and burglar resistance.

Data Storage

• Data safes are made to hold media ranging from computer drives to photographs, and protect not only from fire, but from additional destructive elements, such as water and dust. Those looking to purchase a data safe should consider the humidity and interior temperature ratings in addition to the fireproof rating. This is made easier through the class rating system. Class ratings reflect the amount of time a safe can withstand a certain outer temperature without exceeding a maximum interior temperature, all while protecting the safe's contents from damage. According to K.L. Security.com, UL class ratings involve external temperatures over 1,700 degrees. A class 125 rating guarantees internal conditions in which the temperature will not exceed 125 degrees and 80 percent humidity. This is often for storage of computer discs. Class 150 safes provide a maximum internal temperature of less than 150 degrees and less than 85 percent humidity. This class is useful for a mixture of media, including photographic film and magnetic tape. Class 350 safes protect by ensuring a temperature of less than 350 degrees and less than 85 percent humidity. These are usually chosen for paper storage. In addition to the class ratings, safes are rated for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 hours-worth of protection while meeting these conditions.

Home Office Storage

• A cabinet safe or file cabinet safe can protect many types of items, but these are most often used for documents. According to Fireproof Safes.com, these safes are usually built to the same dimensions as regularly used office cabinets, so that they may be seamlessly added to a business setting or home office. Multi-drawer versions are available with a safe behind the front of and in place of one of the drawers. Storage cabinets for oversized banker's boxes, and large binders and safes rated for heavier weight capacities are also produced.

  According to K.L. Security.com, to achieve an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label, the safe has to meet or exceed the UL 72 standards; these may include fire-resistance tests involving fire endurance, fire and impact, explosion and explosion with impact.