A safe is associated with a locker for valuables, which is supposed to protect the contents from burglars. In reality, such a safe can also be used to store documents, archives or priceless family heirlooms, which we want to protect from the effects of fire. So we explain what characterises a fireproof safe and why it is worth having one at home.
In such a box we deposit objects which we want to protect from destruction. These may be priceless family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation, documents, archives, data carriers or unique items that are sensitive to external factors. Their advantage is not only the guarantee that they will not be lost in the event of a fire or even flooding of the property during extinguishing, but also quick access to, for example, necessary documents in emergency situations. The type and class of safe can be selected according to your needs. The fire resistance class is determined by the time the safe can withstand the highest temperatures. This is in turn: 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes. Before choosing a particular model, however, it is worth spending some time checking whether it has the appropriate standards and approvals.
In Poland, the binding standards for fireproof safes are EN 1047-1 and EN 15569. The first of these is much stricter, and safes which have it are tested at a temperature of 1090 degrees Celsius and are subjected to an impact test, which means that high temperatures act on them for up to 24 hours. In fact, it can happen that after the fire is extinguished, the safe is in the ruins of the property before it can be safely transported and opened. Thanks to a special coating and seals, its contents can also withstand the water that the safe comes into contact with when the fire is extinguished.
Fireproof models come in both furniture and free-standing versions. However, if we care about quick and easy access to documents, it is best to consider installing it in a cabinet, e.g. in a desk or a cupboard. Hiding such a safe under the floor or in the wall does not make much sense and is often associated with difficulties and the need for installation still at the stage of building construction. It is also worth paying attention to the size of the planned deposit and its growth. Over time, the number of documents or family heirlooms may increase. It is therefore necessary to think carefully about the choice and place of installation, as it is often a decision for many years. However, if we care about equally high protection against flames and burglary, it is better to consider buying a safe that combines both functions.
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