What to Look for in a Fireproof Gun Safe
While we all hope we will not be victims of a house fire, we should plan for this eventuality just as much as we plan our home’s security.
A fireproof gun safe need not cost much more than a traditional gun safe (indeed, you’ll find many of the safes on the market include fire ratings), and it can offer an added bit of peace of mind. If firearms and ammo are the only things you intend to store in your safe, however, and they are not expensive pieces, then it may not make sense to incur the added expensive of purchasing a fireproof safe.
When you’re looking for a fireproof safe, it can be a bit confusing. There are lots of numbers and ratings that leave you wondering exactly what you need in order to ensure the contents of your safe will be protected in the event of a fire.
The
Difference Between “Fire Proof” and “Fire Resistant”
In truth, no safe is entirely fire proof. At some point, under enough heat and exposure, even the sturdiest of safes will be unable to protect its contents from damage, but many safes can offer an acceptable degree of fire resistance.
Look for a safe that has a “Fire Certification” from an independent testing organization such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Omega Point Laboratories (OPL). These organizations use standardized testing procedures, actually testing safes in furnaces to simulate house fire conditions. The entire safes and all their components are tested--not just the individual materials (some less reliable rating services do this).
What should you look for in a fire proof (fire resistant) gun safe?
A good gun safe will provide protection in fires up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit for duration of 15 to 30 minutes (the typical time frame necessary for fire fighters to subdue a residential fire).
Keep in mind, however, that papers will char at a much lower temperature, so if you’re storing documents as well as ammo and firearms, look for a safe that promises to keep the interior temperature below 350 degrees Fahrenheit when subjected to external temperatures of 1200 degrees for 30 minutes.
Additional Fire Protection for Your Safe or Gun Safe
For added protection, position your safe near a corner or exterior wall and at a low point (i.e. basement) since these areas usually experience less heat in a fire. A safe on an upper level in the center of the house is surrounded by more combustibles so will suffer higher temperatures that can burn for longer duration. Also, the safe may fall through a burnt out floor, increasing the potential for damage.
You can also place a safe within a safe (ideal if you’re storing important documents as well as firearms) to double up your fire protection.