The 4 Main Elements of a Fire Rated Gun Safe

No matter how many guns you keep in your home, office or man cave, you’ll want to keep them safe, and the best way of doing this is with a fire rated gun safe, but do you know enough about them to make an informed purchase?

With the following guidance, you should be better placed to buy the right fire rated gun safe, and if you’re still in doubt after reading this, seek further assistance from a qualified locksmith:

Is fire protection really necessary?

For any valuables, documents, jewelry or guns, to be as protected from the damaging effects of fire as possible, a fire rated safe is essential. Paper begins to burn at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while guns begin showing damage at temperature levels of 500 degrees Fahrenheit and above. To keep your items as protected as possible, the interior temperature within the safe must be lower than 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is exactly what a good fire rated safe offers.

If you don’t want the items inside your safe to burn, then a fire rated safe is absolutely necessary. It can be helpful to know what to look out for when shopping for a good quality fire rated gun safe:

The four main qualities of a fire rated gun safe:

1. Insulation

A good quality fire rated safe will be lined with gypsum. Once gypsum hits a certain temperature, it begins to release water vapor into the air, and because of the water’s unique ability to absorb heat – coupled with the fact that the plaster releases it only at temperatures of above the boiling point of water – the vapor escapes before it gets a chance to damage the contents of the safe.

2. Insulation coverage

Due to the fact that fire insulation is tricky to apply, some manufacturers are tempted to cut corners and leave metal or hinges bare and uncovered, compromising the safes ability to withstand high temperatures and protect the valuables stored within.

3. Thickness and rigidity

With residential fires getting up to temperatures of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour or even longer, you need your safe to be extremely strong and capable of withstanding those intense temperatures. Extreme heat is able to distort and warp metal, and as such, only a heavy-duty fire rated safe will survive.

4. Seals

The seal on a high-quality fire rated safe must be able to stand up to extreme temperatures such as those reached in a house fire, and so it’s important to check with a reputable safe supplier or qualified locksmith before purchasing your gun safe.