Gun Safes Part II - Fire Retardation
Some safe manufacturers list safes rated by degrees F/minutes and others by BTU/minutes. Presumably that is to obscure the fact that all fireproof safes are not created equally. Is there a way to convert BTU to Degrees F to make it possible to compare the products?
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I have not found one either, but there are some pretty savy engineers here. I mostly see BTU/minutes on the lower end safes, and I think it obscures the fact that they are not very fireproof at all. 0 -
Yup.
In my shopping, I've learned to look for the UL certification - this link may be of interest/help -
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Are-UL-Ratings-on-Fireproof-Safes?&id=3252806
Note that on all of 'em they define "fireproof" as keeping the inside under 350 degrees F for the duration... fine for paper documents (paper burns at 451) but probably not good for guns... I'd imagine that 30 minutes at 350 could ruin heat treating, start stocks baking, melt plastic/polymers, etc. But it would be better than nothing
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No safe is "fire proof".
Many are "fire resistant". Fire resistance is measured by a standard test, & safes are rated by how long the contents stay safe under controlled conditions. However, there's no way to have a fire in your home under "controlled conditions", so fire ratings are only relative, not absolute. A 1-hour rated safe may or may not keep it's contents safe for 1 hour, but it will keep them safe for twice as long as a 30-minute rated safe under the same conditions.
Neal0 -
I have been looking at AMSEC safes.
http://www.amsecusa.com/gun-safes.htm
Deere safes are built for them by Liberty. The Deere name (and who doesn't love it?) puts the price up.
UL 1 hour fire rated and B rated burgler resistence is the standard to look for.
Tailgunner I know what a BTU but I think some of the safes use BTU/minute instead of degrees F/minute to obscure the fact that they build to a lower standard, so I would like to figure out how to convert the two.0 -
Not a direct answer, but IIRC (it's been a while) 1 BTU (British Thermal Unit) is the amount of heat energy it takes to raise the temprature of 1 pound of water by 1^F. 0 -
Check out this link about the John Deere safe:
http://www.deere.com/media/player/en_us_mediaplayerpopup.html?divisionName=parts&Video=jd_fire__security_safes&r=l
After you get past the fluff, it will show the safe on fire.
Linked from this page:
http://www.deere.com/en_US/parts/homeandworkshop/products/security_safes/cat_securitysafes.html0 -
Building materials are often rated by National Fire Protection Association 251, Standard Methods of Tests of Fire Endurance of Building Construction and Materials. Components are assembled in a lab & subjected to the Standard Time Temperature Code (STTC).
Most tests are based on a fuel load of 8,000 BTU's per pound, which is what you would expect from paper & wood. In reality, modern homes can be expected to produce 16,000 BTU's per pound. A safe company requesting a test sets the standards, so most consumers have no way of knowing how effective the fire resistance of a given safe really is.
Neal0 -
Thanks Neal, that is pretty much what I though, stated very well.
Looks like the best you can do is go for UL 1 hour rated and contact ECC about prayer.0 -
But the folks at Underwriters Laboratories will test all products [of the same genre, in this case safes] by using a constant. I don't think they throw design, or brand name into the mix, only results.
UL certification, an opinion here of course, is the only rating I'd use, due to the standardization. Be wary of 'UL listed', or 'UL tested'. Those phrases are meaningless..meant to deceive the unwary. Look for the UL certification and rating. Best, Joe0
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