| When buying a fire/waterproof safe for cash, | | | | The fire rating you need will be dictated by the |
| valuables or data there are a few things you | | | | type of materials you need to protect. If you are |
| should think about. | | | | protecting computer media then you will need the |
| 1. How much do you have to spend? | | | | appropriate safe. Fire Data Safes maintain an |
| 2. What kind of items do you need to protect | | | | interior temperature of 52°C or less to |
| and how large are they? | | | | protect computer data. A safe that will only be |
| 3. How much protection do you want the safe to | | | | storing paper files and documents could allow a |
| provide? | | | | higher internal temperature, around 175°C. |
| To a large extent the type of safe you buy will | | | | Many fire safes are also waterproof but you |
| be dictated by your budget. As a rule of thumb | | | | should always check this. This gives you the |
| you should always buy the most expensive you | | | | added peace of mind that your documents are |
| can comfortably afford. It may seem like a large | | | | also protected from flood or water leak damage. |
| outlay but compared to losing all your valuables | | | | It is also important because once the fire brigade |
| and data it is a definite saving. | | | | do arrive at your home or business they will of |
| The type of items you wish to store will also alter | | | | course douse the building in water. Having a |
| the type of safe you buy. If you just want to | | | | fireproof safe may turn out to be no good if |
| fire protect cash and valuables you may not need | | | | your documents are then destroyed by water. |
| a top of the range safe as cash actually can | | | | If your safe is not on the ground floor you should |
| resist higher temperatures than normal paper. If | | | | ensure your safe has been impact tested. Impact |
| you are going to be storing computer data you | | | | testing involves super heating your safe and then |
| may need to invest a bit more as computer data | | | | dropping it from height (usually 30ft). This |
| is very susceptible to heat damage. Storing large | | | | simulates what would happen if the floor gave |
| bulky files will mean you need to look at fire data | | | | way in your building during a fire. |
| cupboards rather than traditional fire safes. If you | | | | Most fire safes will usually come with a |
| can't afford one large safe or space is an issue | | | | replacement guarantee however you should |
| look at buying two or more smaller safes you can | | | | always check. This is because once a safe has |
| put in different places. This also has the added | | | | been in a fire it is no longer considered fire safe |
| bonus of not "putting all your eggs in one basket". | | | | anymore and should be replaced. |
