Fireproof Safes

A standard safe will stop a thief, but it won't necessarily save your documents in a house or office fire. Paper begins to char well below the temperature steel can reach, so cash, wills, title deeds, passports and digital media need a fireproof safe with an insulated, fire-rated body.

Our fireproof and fire-resistant safes are rated to keep their contents safe for a set time in a fire — commonly 30, 60 or 120 minutes — with many models also offering burglary protection. Brands include Platinum, Chubbsafes, CMI, Guardall and Yale.

Choosing a fireproof safe

• Check the fire rating (in minutes) and match it to what you're protecting — longer ratings for irreplaceable documents.
• If you also want theft protection, choose a combined burglary-and-fire-rated model.
• For USBs, hard drives and media, look for a data/media rating — media needs lower temperatures than paper.
• Allow room for the insulated walls, which make fire safes thicker than a standard safe of the same internal size.

Frequently asked questions

How does a fireproof safe work?
A fireproof safe has an insulated body that keeps the inside below the temperature at which paper or media is damaged, for a rated period of time. That rating — for example 30, 60 or 120 minutes — tells you how long the contents stay protected in a fire.

Is a fireproof safe also burglar resistant?
Not always — some are fire-only. If you want both, choose a combined burglary-and-fire-rated model such as the Platinum Director or Urban range. Check each product's specification.

How long will my documents be protected in a fire?
It depends on the model's fire rating, commonly 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Choose a longer rating for irreplaceable documents and check the rating listed on the product.

Will a fireproof safe protect USB drives and hard drives?
Paper-rated fire safes may not keep digital media cool enough. For USBs, hard drives and media, choose a safe with a data/media fire rating, which holds a lower internal temperature.