I’ve been looking at different fireproof and waterproof safes. I saw some that are 2-hour fireproof and 72-hour waterproof. Does that mean they will protect my documents from fire for 2 hours? I think 2 hours is too short. Is there anything that can protect documents for at least 24 hours?
If your documents are that important, you should follow the 3-2-1 backup rule for everything you can. Not sure if you can make digital copies of legal documents though.
Solomon said:
If your documents are that important, you should follow the 3-2-1 backup rule for everything you can. Not sure if you can make digital copies of legal documents though.
Originals are important, but copies or scanned versions are better than nothing if you can’t keep the originals. Keep the originals, make copies and store them with family or at a safety deposit box, and store digital copies with the 3-2-1 rule.
I don’t have a great answer for you. We just have Sentry safes from Costco. I work in property restoration, though. I once worked on a house that burned down. We cut open the homeowner’s safe with an adjuster present. The homeowner claimed he had tens of thousands of dollars in the safe, but when we opened it, all we found were charred remnants of cash. The adjuster accepted it and wrote a check. This was years ago, but the safe was fire-resistant, just not enough for that fire. So, I’d say two hours is probably not enough.
Keep in mind, some safes release moisture inside to help stop the fire. This can damage electronics, though. Look for ‘media safe’ safes if you have electronics you want to protect.
The fireproof ratings are pretty much BS.
Rene said:
The fireproof ratings are pretty much BS.
So, no good options for better quality?
Rene said:
The fireproof ratings are pretty much BS.
So, no good options for better quality?
There are three main methods of fireproofing: 1) Gypsum board (like drywall), 2) Special concrete mixtures, and 3) Ceramic refractory wool. Sturdy Safe is the only company I know that uses refractory wool exclusively (there might be others, but it’s rare). It’s not perfect fireproofing, but it’s an extra layer on their steel safes. Concrete composites are used in TL-rated safes, which are the heaviest and most expensive options. These safes are the most likely to be tested under the UL 72 standard, which is the real standard for fireproofing. A UL 72-rated safe might have a ceramic wool layer inside, a fully sealed inner shell, and gaskets to keep out smoke and water. Most ‘gun safes’ and ‘fire safes’ use gypsum/sheetrock for fireproofing. It works by releasing moisture that keeps the temperature down, but it leads to moisture damage. Guns can get corroded, and documents can get ruined. That’s why I say the fireproof ratings are a scam unless it’s a UL 72 rating. Some of these safes use expanding door seals, and if they have a fully sealed shell and vent steam outside, they might work okay. But most people who know about safes go for a TL-rated safe and avoid the drywall ones. Sadly, most safe companies hide the truth and try to sell you junk with fancy labels. Here’s an article on myths about gun safe fire ratings: 9 Myths about Fireproof Gun Safe Fire Ratings - Gun Safe Reviews Guy - Page 2. And here’s a detailed guide on fireproofing methods: 9 Myths about Fireproof Gun Safe Fire Ratings - Gun Safe Reviews Guy