Fire Ratings on Fireproof Safes and Files

The first number, i.e., 350 or 125, represents the maximum internal temperature of the safe. Paper burns at 350 degrees, so the maximum temperature inside of a record safe is 350 degrees. Media is damaged at 125 degrees, so the maximum temperature inside of a media safe is 125 degrees.

The second number is the most misunderstood. The second number, i.e. between 1 and 3, represents how long the safe was TESTED. A 350 2-hour safe and a 125 2-hour safe were TESTED for 2 hours. It is not "how long your safe will survive in a fire." They will survive much longer. The test on these safes is 2 to 3 times hotter than an average fire.

"A fire lasts longer than one hour." That is usually correct. However, the average fire burns at 800 degrees, burns everything up around the safe in 20 minutes, and then moves on. Our safes are tested at a constant 1700-2000 degrees, which is dramatically worse than an average fire, and for much longer than 20 minutes. The fact is that none of our safes have ever failed to protect its contents during a fire.

Is 2-Hour twice as good as 1-Hour No, it is not. No 1-hour rated safe that we carry has ever failed. So why does 2-hour even exist? There are certain times a 2-hour safe will help. Multiple story buildings when the fire can heat the safe many times, chemical plants or other hot-burning locations, and if you just want to feel better about your security.

So what do you need? To be listed on our web site, a product must have a minimum fire rating of 1-hour. As previously stated, none of our 1-hour rated products has ever failed to protect its contents in a fire. Therefore, you are truly fine with any of the products on our web site, whether the fire rating is 1 or 2 hours.