steel safe    home security    security & protection : safe    home fireproof safe

Fireproof Safes  1 2 >

Often valuable collections and records are stored in fireproof safes and filing cabinets. These thick-walled storage containers have insulation in their walls to prevent fire from damaging the items housed within.

Two types of insulation are used for these kinds of storage cabinets. One is a dry insulation which gives superior protection, but is higher in cost. The second type of insulation is termed a wet insulation and is generally found in lower priced, consumer safes and filing cabinets.

The most common type of wet insulation is a mixture of Portland cement, Vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, and glass fibers. During manufacture this mixture is poured between the walls of the cabinet and allowed to cure. In the curing process moisture is retained by the Vermiculite particles and the diatomaceous earth. During a fire the heat of the fire turns this moisture into steam, which is generated into the interior space of the filing cabinet or safe.

Unfortunately, often moisture is continually generated by the wet insulation and creates a very high humidity inside the safe or filing cabinet, even without a fire. These types of fireproof safes and filing cabinets continue to cure over long periods of time. In the meantime they may create severe mold problems on the goods stored within the cabinet.

Many people have found that they must leave the drawers open almost continually to prevent excessive moisture buildup inside the cabinet. This practice makes the cabinet useless as a fireproof cabinet and requires continual attention on the part of the staff. The solution to the problem is to purchase fireproof safes and cabinetry that have dry insulation and therefore do not have these problems with moisture release and high humidity.