Safe

Pack Rat

Pack Rat

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Joined
Jan 27, 2006
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There was a 50 acre forest fire a very few miles North of us this morning. Is about 95% contained now with a few flareups because of the wind. Evacuated 200 homes or so, but no homes destroyed, thanks to engines from ten different VFD's around us. As well as a C130, and a couple of helo's dumping water and retardant.

Put a bit of a scare in us and we are going to do some things in the next few days on the in-case. And almost forgot about a small grass fire half mile from here that was put out very quickly.

So I have been giving the big toy box some serious thought. Has a digital dial on it that will melt in a heart beat, in a fire. Also has the inner bead liner that is supposed to melt and seal the box. Not worried about anything inside the box, as it has good fire rating.

Concern is having to ship it off to the manufacturer to get it open and restored afterwards.

I am just curious and mulling over in my mind a way to design some sort of fire barrier that I could quickly install to maybe protect it to where I could open it afterwards.

Not looking for what we should do ahead of time, we have that covered. But, the problem there would be a fire if we weren't home. Oh well..

I just don't know about modern day materials that I might make some sort of shield for the door that would withstand a fire.

I rather this not get moved to a differen't subforum, because it has all my BUCK knives in it :D:D

ok...ill admit, I havent learned my way around this new version of BF :o. Wouldn't even know where to look ..:o

Thoughts?
 
I'd like to know on this one as we've been living with this type of threat for months now. Many days you can't see or breathe. Its sad but a wet handkerchief tied around the face has become normal attire.One of the fires near us has burned acreage one mile wide X 600 miles long and still not contained. DM
 
The only thing that I can think of right away is a cocrete bunker under a layer of soil, so the heat can not get to the concrete. HL
 
First off Ratty, the most important thing is to keep you and your family safe as nothing is as important as that!

Now, many years ago when I bought my safe I was told that if your home was burned to the ground the heat that is generated would destroy what was inside (did not matter what fire ratting it has). If the fire was put out before the place burned to the ground, the stuff inside may or may not make it....depends on what the heat got up to and for how long. I think I4 has it about correct, build an under ground bunker and it will be ok;)
jb4570
 
Safes give A DEGREE of protection from theft and fire.

We each have to decide if that degree is worth what we have to pay for it.....based on the total value of what we are protecting.

The most expensive safes will give you slightly better protection. A cheap one might give you "enough."

Very individual decision.

And, you don't have to send it back to the manufacturer to get it opened up after a fire. They are not that hard to open.
 
Concrete Bunker...do they call those cellars? :D I wish we could have them here. Low water tables.

All I can go by is the fire ratings of the box and quality ratings of different boxes. I looked at dozens and dozens before we bought this one. It is as good or better than most at the time. There may be some better now. Have had this one 15 years or so. Only ones any better were another couple grand, give or take. It sits against an outside wall, so not like it would have the house burn down around it and sit there and bake.

So not going to get into pros and cons, this and thats. It gets too subjective. All I can say is I did my homework at the time and bought the best I couldn't afford. lol

A funny,,,I cancelled my safety deposit box. Calculated that little savings would pay for this thing in about 66.6 years...:rolleyes:
I guess I didn't have anything better to do that time..:cool:

Within this one, we have a couple of the small plastic fire boxes that has the jewelry and valuable papers for extra protection. If we have any kind of advanced warning those small boxes come out and go with us, as well as what guns/ammo I can easily take.

So,,,just pondering if there is some sort of fire blanket something or other that I could wrap the door in or completely drop down over the box, if we knew there was a fire coming, that might give it a little more protection.

And, BG42, You will not get this box open after a major fire without serious tools. Not by the door anyway. I hope your statement doesn't mislead others.
 
I figured most people would assume serious tools would be required after a fire.

They are not that hard to open.

They will only slow down the well-equipped criminal.

Main thing is.....they don't have to be shipped back to the manufacturer as was stated.
 
Well gee BG...Glad to know you are our safe expert! Sure, someone with torches and grinders and such can get one open. But you kinda sorta made it sound like it would just pop right open with no effort.

Besides, this manufacturer will restore it to as new condition for free, at least according to data at time of purchase.

So BG, nuff said unless you have something constructive about some extra protection like I was looking for in the first place.
 
Pack Rat said:
Concrete Bunker...do they call those cellars? :D I wish we could have them here. Low water tables.

:

No cellars have wood structure above them bunker as in like an ammo bunker. Something you can put your valuables in so you know they are protected. HL :D :eek: :D
Click to expand...
 
I4Bucks said:
Pack Rat said:
Concrete Bunker...do they call those cellars? :D I wish we could have them here. Low water tables.

:

No cellars have wood structure above them bunker as in like an ammo bunker. Something you can put your valuables in so you know they are protected. HL :D :eek: :D
Click to expand...

I guess they make them different in different places. Grandma's cellar in Midwest Ok, was all concrete. Big old cotton mattress, and shelves on every wall full of home caned fruits and veggies. Loved playing in it as a kid :)
Would have one here if we could.

Hummm,,,,maybe one of those bomb shelters like they were installing back in the 50's :D
Click to expand...
 
David Martin said:
I'd like to know on this one as we've been living with this type of threat for months now. Many days you can't see or breathe. Its sad but a wet handkerchief tied around the face has become normal attire.One of the fires near us has burned acreage one mile wide X 600 miles long and still not contained. DM
Click to expand...

I know you guys have had it worse than we have. At least right around here. We are just now getting hit with the scattered fires. Three yesterday within 10 miles, and the scanner I have running here on the pc just sounded off with a flareup on the one yesterday. Fortunately it isn't an issue.

I am doing a google on fireblankets... some interesting stuff that I didn't know was out there. Might be able to make something from those.
 
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Packy,

Research fire resistant sheet rock. I had a guy personally tell me that is what most safes are lined with. I lined my safe with it and believe I gained at least 30 minutes time. I had planned to also build a wooden cabinet around it with more sheetrock lining that would increase the time more. But naturally have been lazy.

I have told my trusted neighbor and family which window needs the fire hose shot into to cool safe. Maybe they will prop up hose and leave it once the ammo starts going off...

300
 
Pack Rat said:
I4Bucks said:
I guess they make them different in different places. Grandma's cellar in Midwest Ok, was all concrete. Big old cotton mattress, and shelves on every wall full of home caned fruits and veggies. Loved playing in it as a kid :)
Would have one here if we could.

Hummm,,,,maybe one of those bomb shelters like they were installing back in the 50's :D
Click to expand...

Ours was all concrete as well. Now our BASEMENT had a wood structure above it. DM
Click to expand...
 
300Bucks said:
Packy,

Research fire resistant sheet rock. I had a guy personally tell me that is what most safes are lined with. I lined my safe with it and believe I gained at least 30 minutes time. I had planned to also build a wooden cabinet around it with more sheetrock lining that would increase the time more. But naturally have been lazy.

I have told my trusted neighbor and family which window needs the fire hose shot into to cool safe. Maybe they will prop up hose and leave it once the ammo starts going off...

300
Click to expand...

Mine came with the fire resistant rock in the walls as well. If I remember right, it is supposedly good for 45 minutes with minimal damage in a house fire.

An exterior liner made with that could work. Something to digest for sure.
 
A Fireman friend of mine said that fire resistant safes were good for fire protection,but when the fire department showed up and started fighting the fire,that steam created from spraying the fire would rush into any tiny cracks or holes and ruin any metal object in the safe.They will keep the fire out but not the steam.
I have seen the results and all the finish is gone off of fireams ,knives,and tools ,leaving behind heavy rust in minutes.
 
Now that truly sounds like an old wive's .... er, I mean, an old fireman's tale.

Steam causing instant removal of finish? And instant rust that destroys firearms?

That firemen must have a lot of time on his hands sitting around the firehouse waiting for the next fire.

;)
 
Evil Eye Earl said:
A Fireman friend of mine said that fire resistant safes were good for fire protection,but when the fire department showed up and started fighting the fire,that steam created from spraying the fire would rush into any tiny cracks or holes and ruin any metal object in the safe.They will keep the fire out but not the steam.
I have seen the results and all the finish is gone off of fireams ,knives,and tools ,leaving behind heavy rust in minutes.
Click to expand...

Interesting EEE, This box has a seal of sorts around the door, that is supposedly designed to prevent that, maybe. I don't think there are any holes in it anywhere, top/bottom, but I need to check that. Seal them if so.

Another fire today, way too close to us.

I also sat a 15 pound Halon fire extinguisher next to it. Should we not be here, maybe it would blow and dump the gas..probably a stretch there... but every little bit would help tho.
 
Just a quick thought about a product I use in my 2 forges. I also have it under my big forge on my wooden work bench...never smoldered or burned through. If you buy enough, you could wrap your safe in it. I bought a big box of it off ebay several years ago...enough to line about 30 forges...or wrap about 1/2 a big gun safe...for $50 shipped.

INSWOOL-HP BLANKET is a low iron, high purity ceramic fiber blanket developed especially for use in
highly reducing atmospheres. It is lightweight, flexible, and suitable for operating temperatures to 2300°F.
INSWOOL-HP BLANKET retains a soft fibrous structure right up to its maximum usage temperature, and
even the most extreme temperature changes will not affect its ability to insulate and stay in place
Click to expand...
.
 
Evil Eye Earl said:
A Fireman friend of mine said that fire resistant safes were good for fire protection,but when the fire department showed up and started fighting the fire,that steam created from spraying the fire would rush into any tiny cracks or holes and ruin any metal object in the safe.They will keep the fire out but not the steam.
I have seen the results and all the finish is gone off of fireams ,knives,and tools ,leaving behind heavy rust in minutes.
Click to expand...

I have a friend whose home burned several years ago and this is exactly what happened to his firearms in two safes, and it did indeed occur within less than one hour.
 
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