Despite your best preventive efforts, disaster will always strike without warning. What stands between the loss and damage of a fire and irreplaceable records is a fire-resistant safe.
Understanding How Fire-Resistant Safes Work
A fire-resistant safe is made of a special material with a high melting point and low thermal conductivity. It can retain its structural integrity under high temperatures. Thus, the safe is indestructible under intense heat for a specified amount of time.
They also have insulating elements that aid in maintaining a consistent internal temperature within the safe, usually 176°C or less, preventing the contents from being harmed by heat. Therefore, in the event of a fire, the content inside will be safe from burning, damage from smoke, or water used to cool down the fire. These materials include steel gypsum, ceramic fiber perlite, and fire-retardant sealants.
Fire Ratings
An extensive comprehension of the fire rating is vital when you want to secure your documents from the adverse effects of fire. The ratings help you make informed decisions when choosing safes according to what you will store in the safe. The Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) are organizations that test and certify the safety and fire resistance standards.
They rate in hours and class: UL Class 125, UL Class 150, and UL Class 350. The time duration will be indicated along with the class rating, for example, UL Class 350, 1 Hour. Higher numbers and longer duration mean the safe offers better protection. if you come across a UL Class 350, 2-Hour safe, it will offer fire protection longer than a UL Class 125, 1-Hour safe would.
We all have personal or business records that need to be securely stored. documents such as birth certificates, national IDs, and marriage or divorce decrees. Also, insurance medical records or financial transactions are important and could take a while to replace, which can be inconvenient. Business documents of regulatory compliance, business data, and insurance are needed for a business to run. If they got ruined in a fire, they could set the business back.
How to Maintain Your Safe for Durability
Your safe can serve you longer with the right maintenance practices. First, constantly clean it to keep it safe from debris and dirt that can jam the locks. Second, when installing the safe, ensure it is in a place free from moisture to avoid rust or corroding. Seek professional installation services for the best results. Third, routinely lubricate the door bolds and locks to maintain safety and ensure they run smoothly.
Third, if you can, schedule safe inspections now and then with safe experts to check the safe and ensure that it runs well. The technical team will look out for your alarm biometrics access cards and ensure that all digital records of who has authorization for the safe are functioning.
Additional Protective Measures You Can Take to Safeguard Your Records
A fire-resistant safe is the first step to keeping your records safe. Still, there is more you can do. first, get a comprehensive data recovery plan. Identify which of your records are most critical, and consider keeping them safer in an off-site location, e.g., a storage unit or a bank. Second, make digital copies of your documents and back them up. You could try an external hard drive, cloud storage, etc.
Regularly update the backups to keep them up to date. Besides homeowners insurance, get additional coverage for items of high value, and document your documents with photos or videos for insurance purposes. Combining a fire-resistant safe with additional measures increases your chances of successfully protecting your assets from disaster.
Prepare for the Unexpected by Getting Your Fire-resistant Safe Today
Fire-resistant safes play an essential role in disaster preparedness. They safely keep vital records such as birth certificates, business documents and passports. Prioritize your peace of mind by getting a fire-resistant safe from Safes Australia. Additionally, consider digital storage and ensure all your documents are backed up and up to date.