Usually, one of the more important features is how well contents are protected in case of fire. This info. is usually presented as protecting (documents for example) contents for so many min./hrs. @ a given temp., 2000° for example. It also generally provides info. re: how well or long stored magnetic media, tapes, discs, thumb drives, etc., are protected from fire. I didn’t see any of this in the specs. Are these safes fire-rated?
Found this on the mothership. Basically “trust us”.
The test standards for obtaining the fire protection and waterproof rating certification need to be tested under extreme conditions, which are not part of the household’s daily use. Strictly speaking, the safebox does not reach the waterproof and fireproof rating under extreme test conditions, but it is suitable for household conditions. If you wanna completely waterproof, we recommend you could buy a waterproof bag.
Thx fark1337. How is it they don’t consider a house (household) on fire as an extreme condition?
I didn’t see a fire rating listed either on Woot or Amazon. Fire testing should be done by an independent lab such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL ) or Intertek Laboratories (ETL).
Cheep safes are usually not fire or water rated. Mostly for security.
And even that… anyone can really pop these open.
I have one of these for the most part. Mine is a touch bigger and has a square door handle. But same cheap Chinese build most of these have. And I bought it on a deal from Amazon.
It’s a couple steps above cheap safes you will find from Sentry Safe on Black Friday ( which are thin metal coolers to get their fire rating). But it’s far from a burglary rated safe a wealthy person would use for true valuables. Be aware that the little compartment inside at the top is a metal shelf with the entire door and face being plastic. No security what so ever once the safe is open.
While the exterior metal build is pretty good for the low price. These have zero fire rating (buy a fireproof bag for these or even good fire rated safes) and sadly the gap on the hinge side of the door that contains the reset buttons are often to wide. Be prepared to build a button cover or interior trim strip to add a touch better security to better slow down any thief. While a good burglar can get in under a few minutes. These are for the average folks that may likely never get robbed and if they do, it’s just a quick smash/grab what they can before you see them on camera and call cops. Kinda of like the difference between locking your doors and using a chain and dead bolt or not locking up at all.
Overall, once bolted (buy good lag bolts) to studs/floor where you plan to keep/hide. It’s a decent deterrent to stupid opportunistic criminals. I would buy again because my model has good decent steel. But if you are wanting fire and true security from a safe. That barely starts at $1000+(trust me, I looked for months, and settled). These are just to slow down kids and stupid people from getting at you guns/drugs/valuables easily.
Despite this being a cheap Chinese safe, I feel like it’s a good deal if it includes those gold bars that are shown on picture #3.
Contents not included. Also they’re $8.99 for a 3-pack at the mothership:
https://www.amazon.com/Simulated-Treasure-Plastic-Paperweight-Supplies/dp/B0BRKFBFRR/
(Note that I am not staff. I just volunteer to help out on the forums.)
Man, I though gold was expensive, but $3 for a 2.4 inch gold colored plastic bar seems pricy. They do look very nice though.
Love it!
Thanks everyone.
We were looking at these safes and trying to figure out the fire and waterproof ratings.
We’ll have to pass on this one.
One aspect to keep in mind about fireproof – is it for documents or for media? Paper can withstand higher temperatures; media cannot.
One aspect that can be considered is a larger box for the security aspect (due to the thicker steel) and then a smaller fireproof box inside of it that may not be as secure due to its construction.
Paper is a type of media, though. Are you talking electronic or digital media?
Yes. USB drives, hard drives, optical discs, etc.
Vinyl records and cassette tapes?
That and those worthless priceless 8-tracks too.
We were looking to put both paper, photos, and digital media in the safe.
A safe within a safe sounds like a plan.