Pick a Fire Resistant Gun Safe
Home gun safes are manufactured in designs that can be as simple as a locking wood cabinet, or as elaborate as a high density fireproof design with digital locks. Fireproof gun safes are typically designed with an interior layer of Sheetrock that absorbs heat. This design is somewhat effective, however, Sheetrock will eventually crumble under extreme heat, rendering the safe useless. Many other fireproofing techniques are incorporated such as Sheetrock interwoven with fiberglass, or ceramic wool blankets. All fireproofing mechanisms undergo testing, however, the testing is normally conducted in controlled environments with gradually increasing heat. A house fire--in a short amount of time--can put out an enormous amount of heat and normally doesn't correspond with testing done in a controlled environment. Many factors should be considered prior to buying a fire resistant safe.
Instructions
1. Identify the Sheetrock method used to fireproof the safe. Common Sheetrock will crumble under heat. When sandwiched between two steel plates, this reinforces the Sheetrock, also allowing it to put off steam as the water pockets within the gypsum are heated. This steam acts as an insulator to adsorb heat energy and also pressurizes the interior compartment, sealing it off from heat or licking flames.
2. Avoid safes with a standard fire-liner. High-end quality manufactured safes never incorporate fire-liners, ceramic fire-layers or fireboards. These mechanisms do not work for long periods of time nor stand up to extreme or prolonged heat.
3. Look for a true U.L. rated fireproof safe. U.L. Refers to an independent Underwriter's Laboratory, which tests and rates safes for fireproofing and other factors. These safes are typically designed with convoluted door jambs, and with two sandwiching layers of sheet metal with a water retaining concrete amalgamate in between, such as a mixture of concrete and vermiculite. This mixture gives of steam when heated and forms a heat seal against the door jamb.
4. Look for the overall weight of the safe. Heavier safes made with thick steel will conduct far more heat than safes less than 2 inches thick. These heavier safes have a greater capacity to harm the interior contents than thinner safes with U.L. rated fireproofing.
5. Identify the thickness of the fire-cladding. If the steel portion of the safe is rated in a B class for burglary proofing, it will have a thick steel body and conduct more heat. For this type of safe, the fire-cladding used should be no less than 2.5 inches thick to protect the safe from fire or heat damage.
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