Understanding the details behind a fireproof safe certification is an important step to getting the appropriate fireproof safe that will help to protect your valuables and important documents in the event of a fire at your home or business. There are multiple standards around the world and we have previously listed out some of the more common and recognized international fireproof safe testing standards. The UL-72 fireproof safe testing standard is one of the most recognized and regarded fire testing standard in the industry and below is a summary of tests and requirements for the standard you know what you are buying when you are checking the certification on a fireproof safe or fireproof chest.
There are various classes under the UL-72 testing standard and each class represent the type of contents that it is required to protect. Within each class, they are then separated into different endurance ratings and whether if additional impact testing has been done.
Class 350
This class is intended for fireproof safes that meet this standard to protect paper against fire damage. Fireproof safes are placed inside a furnace for 30, 60, 120 minutes or longer depending on the fire rating to be obtained. After the furnace is off, it is naturally cooled. During this entire period, the interior of the safe cannot go above 177 degrees Celsius and paper prop inside cannot be discolored or charred.
Class 150
This class is intended for the safe to protect data against fire damage. The test process is similar to Class 350, although the interior temperature requirements is more stringent and cannot go above 66 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity inside cannot go above 85%. This is because humidity may potential corrupt some data types.
Class 125
This class is one of the most stringent in terms of fire endurance requirements as interior temperature requirements for this standard cannot go above 52 degrees Celsius and relative humidity inside cannot go above 80%. This class is intended to be for safes that protect diskette type items where the physical material content has a magnetic content and is sensitive to high temperatures and humidity.
In each class, apart from the fire endurance test, it is necessary for the safe to go through a second test call the explosion test. The furnace is raised to 1090 degrees Celsius and then the fireproof safe is placed into the furnace for a set period of time, ranging from 20-30 minutes. The contents inside cannot be discolored, charred or deformed and the safe must also be intact without “exploding”. This test is to mimic when a safe is met with a flash fire and sudden raise in temperatures do not cause the safe to explode at weak points as a result of rapid expansion of the insulation layer properties (such as liquid to gas).
Safes can also opt to complete an impact test, where the safe undergoes a period of burning before removing from the furnace and then dropping from a height of 9 meters and then putting it back into the furnace for a further period of time. Safe must be intact and the content must survive the fire tests and contents cannot be damaged by fire. This is different from a standard drop test claim as no burning is involved in a standard drop test.
Fireproof safes is important in ones protection for its valuables and important documents. Getting one that is tested and certified to international standards can give reassurance that you get the protection that you need. As UL-72 is one of the most recognized industry in the industry, understanding its tests requirements would give you an idea the type of fire rated safe to look for. At Guarda Safe, we are a professional supplier of independent tested and certified, quality Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box and Chest. In our line up, you can find one that can help protect what matters most, whether it is at home, your home office or in the business space and if you got a question, feel free to contact us.
Source: Fireproof Safe UK “Fire Ratings, Tests and Certificates”, accessed 5 June 2022
Post time: Jun-05-2022
