Fireproof Safe Buying Tips

Fireproof Safe Buying Tips From Buy A Safe

When it comes to ensuring that your valuables and important documents are kept secure, you have to be very particular and thorough. Choosing just any regular safe for home use might not be enough. Whilst most safes can withstand tampering and other burglary attempts, they cannot protect your safe and its contents from fire. A reliable fireproof safe could be the best choice to guarantee maximum protection for your treasured possessions. In this article, we will share how fireproof safes work and discuss important fireproof safe buying tips to help you choose the perfect safe for your home.

Do Fireproof Safes Work?

It may be hard to believe, but yes, fireproof safes do work. Fireproof safes are specifically designed to protect paper and keep its internal temperature below 350 degrees, which is the critical temperature where paper begins to char and burn. It is built with a double wall and is kept cool by fire-resistant materials placed between those walls. However, fireproof safes have limits. Although they can withstand fire, it's only a matter of time before the constant exposure to heat makes them vulnerable and less effective. A good fireproof safe can last for at least 30 minutes, which can be plenty of time for you or a fireman to extinguish a fire and recover your belongings.

5 Fireproof Safe Buying Tips

A fireproof safe is a necessary investment in providing protection for your valuables and important documents. But, before you go and purchase a fireproof safe, there are still some things you need to keep in mind. Read the hints and tips listed below, this guide will help you get the best home safe Australia that can protect your valuables from fire and suit your other storage needs.

1. List Down All The Things You Want To Keep Inside.

The first thing you need to do is to determine all the things that you are planning to keep inside your safe. This will help you narrow down your search to a fireproof safe that can accommodate your needs. For cash and documents, you need a fireproof safe that will not get hotter than 350 degrees. Film and tapes need to be stored in a safe rated to not exceed 150 degrees. And, for magnetic media, like hard drives, you need a safe that limits the interior temperature to 125 degrees. List down your items and check their temperature requirements to prevent any damage.

 2. Check Fire-Resistance Ratings. 

Refer to a safe's fire-resistance ratings to find the one most suitable safe for you. These ratings are provided by various industry bodies and indicate the amount of time a safe can withstand fire exposure, the type of explosion a safe can survive, and the level of impact it can endure. A good fireproof safe should have a minimum of a 30 minutes fire rating. Less than that might not provide sufficient protection for paper or money in the event of a fire.

3. Determine Where You Can Best Install Your Safe.

Check your home for available space where it is good to install a safe. Try to pick a spot that will be hard for burglars to find. Keeping your safe in a hidden location decreases the possibility of your safe getting tampered with. Once you find a good place to hide your safe, you can then decide what size and bolt work you will need your safe to have.

4. Your Fireproof Safe Should Also Be Waterproof.

If your home also has a sprinkler system, it may be activated during a fire. To put out a raging fire, the fire department will also use high powered hoses. So, if your safe isn’t waterproof, the fire may not damage your safe’s contents, but the water could. Check a waterproof feature to ensure that you get maximum protection from both fire and water.

5. Consider The Internal Dimensions Of A Fireproof Safe.

Because a fireproof safe is double-walled, the internal dimensions might be smaller than you expect. This is because of the special fire-resistant materials in its cavity. Check both the external and internal dimensions of the safe you would like to purchase. Also, remember to make sure that your safe will not just have adequate space for its intended contents. You should also make room for additional things you might want to add in the future.

Follow the above-mentioned fireproof safe buying tips and keep fire, burglars, and water away from your valuables. For a wide range of safes, whether for commercial or residential use, check out our selection at Buy A Safe!