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Before we go on to talk about fire resistant safes and the level of protection they provide, it’s important to understand that there is no such thing as a ‘fire proof’ safe, and any company advertising their safes as being such, are intentionally trying to mislead customers. Safes can be fire resistant, meaning that they resist heat and smoke from a period of time ranging from 30 minutes to 150 minutes, but they are never completely fire proof.

What are fire resistant safes good for protecting?

If you’ve got items of value – whether monetary, sentimental or valuable for any other reason – such as paper documents, or even small amounts of cash (we recommend that larger sums of money be kept in a bank) that would be extremely vulnerable to heat and smoke damage, then a fire resistant safe is the best place for them. You can choose a safe that will be resistant to the ravages of a fire for up to 150 minutes, which should keep the items within protected until the fire can be extinguished.

Do fire resistant safes offer protection against burglary?

Because fire resistant safes are constructed from very thin metal (14-18 gauge), they are not much of a match for a determined burglar with the right tools at their disposal. The metal used in the construction of fire resistant safes is used to hold the fire retardant material, and is relatively easy to puncture, cut or saw with hand tools.

You might be surprised to know that if you buy a low cost fire resistant safe, it may be opened by someone who simply drops it on a hard surface.

If you’re uncertain about how much you should be spending on a quality fire resistant safe, have a conversation with your local safe specialist.

What shouldn’t be stored in a cheap fire resistant safe?

While your budget may only stretch to a low budget fire resistant safe, you should be aware that high value items are not best stored in it. Large amounts of cash, precious jewelry or metals for example, should always be kept in a high security safe.

What safe gives the best level of protection against fire and burglary?

If you invest in a burglar, fire safe or a high quality composite safe that is burglar rated, you’ll be giving your items of value the very best protection you can. Look specifically for a high security TL rated fire safe, as these are designed to give a high level of protection against both fire and burglary.

For more detailed advice and guidance about fire or burglary resistant safes, call in to your nearest safe showroom and chat to the security specialists there about your options.