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Understanding Fire Ratings
The first number, i.e., 350 or 125, represents the maximum internal temperature of the safe. Paper burns at
350 degrees, so the maximum temperature inside of a record safe is 350 degrees. Media is damaged at 125 degrees,
so the maximum temperature inside of a media safe is 125 degrees.
The second number is the most misunderstood. It is not "how long your safe will survive in a
fire." The second number, i.e. between 1 and 3, represents how long the safe was TESTED. A 350-2 hour safe and a
125-2 hour safe were TESTED for 2 hours. The test on these safes is 2 to 3 times hotter than an average
fire.
The average fire burns at 800 degrees, burns everything up in 20 minutes, and then moves on.
These safes are tested at a constant 1700-2000 degrees, which is dramatically worse than any fire you will ever
have.
What does all this mean? It means that a 350-1 hour rating does not protect your records for a mere
one hour in a fire. "A fire lasts longer than that," everyone says, and they are right. Based on the information
above you can see that a 350-1 hour safe will last much, much longer than one hour in a fire.
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350 - ½ hr
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Requires safe to be heated to 1700ºF for ½ hour. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 350ºF (the temperature at which paper
will burn).
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350 - 1 hr
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Requires safe to be heated to 1700ºF for 1 hour. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 350ºF (the temperature at which paper
will burn).
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350 - 1½ hr
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Requires safe to be heated to 1700ºF for 1½ hours. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 350ºF (the temperature at which paper
will burn).
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350 - 2 hr
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Requires safe to be heated to 1700ºF for 2 hours. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 350ºF (the temperature at which paper
will burn).
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350 - 3 hr
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Requires safe to be heated to over 2000ºF for 3 hour. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 350ºF (the temperature at which paper
will burn).
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125 - 1 hr
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Designed for media safes, this test requires the safe to be heated to 1700ºF for 1
hour. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 125ºF or 80% humidity (the conditions
at which media and data can be damaged or lost).
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125 - 2 hr
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Designed for media safes, this test requires the safe to be heated to 1850ºF for 2
hours. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 125ºF or 80% humidity (the conditions
at which media and data can be damaged or lost).
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125 - 3 hr
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Designed for media safes, this test requires the safe to be heated to 1925ºF for 3
hours. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 125ºF or 80% humidity (the conditions
at which media and data can be damaged or lost).
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NT Fire 017-120 Diskette
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Designed for media safes, this test requires the safe to be heated to 1859ºF for 2
hours. During this time, the
internal temperature of the safe cannot exceed 125ºF or 80% humidity (the conditions
at which media and data can be damaged or lost).
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VDMA 24992
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This is a test on the lock. At this standard, any keys made from a mold of the lock
or from duplicate keys cannot be used to open the safe. The original key must be used
to make copies.
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RSC Security
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For the very best in burglary protection. To adhere to this standard, a safe must
survive a rigorous tool attack.
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TL-30
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This is a test on the attack-resistance of a safe. The safe must be attacked with a
diamond saw for 30 minutes with no success. A torch must also be used in conjunction.
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Euro Grade 0
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RSC Security equivalent. For the very best in burglary protection. To adhere to this standard, a safe must
survive a rigorous tool attack.
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Euro Grade 2
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TL-30 equivalent. This is a test on the attack-resistance of a safe. The safe must be attacked with a
diamond saw for 30 minutes with no success. A torch must also be used in conjunction.
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