Fire Rating Question

[1mrchristopher]

So I'm cruising around craigslist seeing what people have for sale that might be interesting and I come across someone selling a gun safe, for which they want $325.00, stating that they paid $500.00 new just months ago. They go on to state that it is not only fire, but water proof (an astounding claim), and then also state that it is both digital and key padlocked. My question is this: By drilling and adding the hasp for their padlock, didn't they destroy the fire rating of the safe? In practice I understand that it is still going to provide some level of protection, but as far as the UL listing goes, it's out the window right? I cannot fathom what added security they felt that padlock was asking.

[silvfox1200]

I don't know why he added the padlock. If he did not damage the material inside, it should not hurt it too much. I don't think I would want to buy it unless I was short on money. In my opinion he could have lowered the rating somewhat. I have a gun safe and I sure would not drill it for a padlock. The door has an expanding seal in case of fire. Waterproof is questionable.

Thanks

James

[glenaw]

Yes they did destroy the rating for the safe. By putting a hole in the safe they allowed the heat to enter through the hole they made. There by voiding the label. Any fire unit that has bolt down capability was design and tested with the holes drilled in the safe. Such as the BF series that Amsec makes comes with mounting hardware. The safe was designed to be bolted to the floor with one bolt hole directly in the center of the safe. The water proof statement in my opinion is way off. The way fire safes operate is with a moisture extrapolation material in the walls. When this material heats up from a fire, regular house fire of 1800 degrees, the moisture turns to steam and the steam escapes the safe taking the heat with it. Thats what provides it the fire rating. keeping the unit cooled at a specific temperature. If it was waterproof the moisture would not escape. Fire safe rated for paper must keep the inside contents cooled at a temperature of 350 degrees. Any Magnetic Media must be kept cooled at 125 degrees or less. So if you just want essentially a locking cabinet its fine but in my opinion if your buying it for burglary or fire I wouldn't purchase it.

[1mrchristopher]

That was my feeling as well, in it's present condition I wouldn't pay more than $50.00 for it, and only then because I am in need of some kind of long-gun cabinet. Whether or not it's fire isn't as important to me - maybe it should be.

[glenaw]

The way I have always approached my customers is what is the contents worth. One gun alone could be the purchase price of a fire container for a rifle. So weigh the pros and cons and the lose of just one gun would set you back.

[1mrchristopher]

Very valid point.