schmism
Super Member
anyone had to retrieve anything from a safe that has been through a house fire?
Having served on the FD for a few years now, ive had 4 major "surround and drown" house fires. As part of the "overhaul" stage of what the FD does, we generally ask the home owners what if anything they want out of the house while we are still there. this often includes memento's, photos, clothes etc. one question we always ask is do they have a safe, and do they want us to retrieve it.
I have personally been on the overhaul crew responsible for locating and retrieving "fire safe" safes. 2 of which were larger gun safes.
One thing to note. Fire safe, does not mean water proof. and what does the FD use to put out the fire? Generally document storage/protection in generic sentry safe style safes was pathetic. Granted they didnt burn up, but the docs sat in a waterlogged safe for an extended period of time.
Of the 6 or so safes i have personally pulled out. 2 with nothing more than a key lock were unable to be opened normally. 2 with digital faces were melted off. these 4 had to be taken to the shop and cut/pryed/open. (this is were the fire dept with its jaws and cut off tools comes in handy) 2 larger gun safes with mechanical metal tumbler dials on the front still worked and opened with the dial.
Ask yourself what you want the protection from. if its from a smash and grab guy, or keep the kids out, then nothing more than a simple steel box is going to be enough.
if your serious about your stuff makeing it through a fire, bypass the basic stuff found at TSC etc and start shopping on CL for a commercial class type safe.
Having served on the FD for a few years now, ive had 4 major "surround and drown" house fires. As part of the "overhaul" stage of what the FD does, we generally ask the home owners what if anything they want out of the house while we are still there. this often includes memento's, photos, clothes etc. one question we always ask is do they have a safe, and do they want us to retrieve it.
I have personally been on the overhaul crew responsible for locating and retrieving "fire safe" safes. 2 of which were larger gun safes.
One thing to note. Fire safe, does not mean water proof. and what does the FD use to put out the fire? Generally document storage/protection in generic sentry safe style safes was pathetic. Granted they didnt burn up, but the docs sat in a waterlogged safe for an extended period of time.
Of the 6 or so safes i have personally pulled out. 2 with nothing more than a key lock were unable to be opened normally. 2 with digital faces were melted off. these 4 had to be taken to the shop and cut/pryed/open. (this is were the fire dept with its jaws and cut off tools comes in handy) 2 larger gun safes with mechanical metal tumbler dials on the front still worked and opened with the dial.
Ask yourself what you want the protection from. if its from a smash and grab guy, or keep the kids out, then nothing more than a simple steel box is going to be enough.
if your serious about your stuff makeing it through a fire, bypass the basic stuff found at TSC etc and start shopping on CL for a commercial class type safe.
