Oftentimes, the terms “fireproof” and “fire-resistant” are used interchangeably, when they actually mean two completely different things. Currently, there is no such thing as a 100% fireproof safe on the market. Instead, when you’re searching for a quality safe to protect your valuables from high temperatures, it’s best to look for products that make a “fire-resistant” claim that’s backed by 3rd party testing.
Similar to how we uncovered the myth of waterproof safes, we’re going to dig further into de-bunking fireproof safes and what you need to look out for to ensure you’re making a solid investment in a fire-resistant product.
Are Safes Fireproof?
There’s no such thing as a “fireproof” safe as all containers will inevitably burn after some time. Currently, there isn’t a standardized test that could fully back the “fireproof” claim that many brands out there label their safes with.
While there isn’t a standard to hold fireproof safes to, many brands tend to still make this claim when in reality, their product is “fire-resistant”. At American Security, we advise everyone to do their due diligence in researching the various certifications and fill materials that impact fire resistance.
What a Fire-Resistant Safe Offers
A regular safe is often made of steel, but what makes a fire-resistant safe withstand high heat is the fill materials that are distributed throughout the body. At American Security, our models feature a few different fire-resistant fill materials including:
- Fire clay
- Concrete
- Fire protection panels
- American Security’s proprietary DryLight material
Filing the safes with material alongside thick steel adds another layer of protection by insulating the container against a potential fire. There are even more fire-resistant materials on the market than what we listed, so it’s important to evaluate the quality of a safe’s construction before making your final decision.
With the right materials, a safe can pass industry-standard tests conducted by labs such as Underwriters Laboratories or Intertek-ETL. These fire ratings can range from 40 minutes to 120 minutes, depending on the level of protection you desire.
It’s important to keep in mind the items you plan on storing in your safe when you’re evaluating the fire rating. For example, If you find that you’ll be storing lots of delicate paper documents, we suggest paying close attention to fire ratings so that you know you’re investing in a safe that is constructed with materials that can keep the interior below 350°F. Fires are extremely unpredictable, so while we can’t make any guarantees, we’ve found success with many of our customers who have purchased our 1-hour or 2-hour fire-rated safes that have been factory-tested or evaluated by UL or ETL.
When you consider the size of the safe you’re looking for, you want to think about the items you plan on storing now and for potential future additions.
The most common regret we hear from our customers is that they wish they purchased a bigger safe.
To make your investment worthwhile, select a safe that’s slightly larger than your current inventory of valuables. If you’re an avid collector of firearms, for example, it will be worth it to size up your safe if you foresee more gun purchases in the future. Don’t forget to measure the area where you want to store your safe so that you’re still choosing a model that would fit in the designated place you plan on keeping it in your home.
How Fire-Resistant Safes Are Tested
All of our fire-resistant safes undergo some sort of evaluation whether that be through UL, ETL, or factory testing to ensure their fire-resistant capabilities. This testing typically involves inserting a safe into a controlled furnace. Since paper typically chars around 350°F, the safe is equipped with temperature probes throughout the interior to measure whether or not the inside of it ever reaches that temperature within a 1 or 2-hour time frame.
For our UL 1-hour and 2-hour safes, they immediately undergo an impact test after getting taken out of the furnace. This involves dropping the safe on a pile of bricks from 20 feet. It’s important to know how a safe will withstand a shocking fall like this since a house fire could trigger a floor to collapse. If a safe maintains its structural integrity following the impact, it shows high potential for holding up during the events of an actual fire.
Types of Fire Safe Certifications
Now, what’s the difference between all these fire certifications we’re referring to? We know it’s easy to get confused about what ratings you should look out for and which ones are best. Let’s help clear the air!
UL Certifications
The best fire ratings on the market right now come from Underwriters Laboratories. At American Security, we offer a handful of 1-hour and 2-hour UL-certified safes. The testing process for these ratings involves inserting a safe into a controlled furnace reaching the temperature of 1,800°F within the first six minutes, replicating intense fire conditions by applying actual flames to the outside of the safe. If the safe maintains below 350°F within a 30, 60, or even 120-minute time frame, it will receive a UL stamp of approval.
ETL Certifications
Coming in as a close second option is the ETL fire certifications. This is another independent testing organization similar to UL, where they conduct their own controlled evaluation by inserting safes into a furnace and monitoring whether or not the interior reaches 350°F. ETL provides fire ratings for 45, 60, 80, 90, and 120-minute time frames and American Security offers a variety of models with these certifications.
Independent Testing
A third option beyond UL and ETL certifications is fire testing conducted by other independent laboratories. Make sure to research what testing process the safe has gone through for it to receive its certification. Because testing methods differ across facilities, it’s important to research how a safe was tested and what criteria were used to certify its fire resistance. Understanding these details will help you make an informed decision when investing in a fire-rated safe. Within our product lines, we have a variety of 30-minute and 120-minute rated safes certified through independent testing.
Factory Testing
Factory testing, also known as manufacturer certifications, varies the most among all fire-rating methods. In this case, the safe is tested by the manufacturer itself, meaning the company sets its own standards and determines the testing process. Some manufacturers conduct rigorous furnace tests similar to those used by UL and ETL, while others base the fire rating solely on the safe’s construction materials and design rather than direct fire exposure. Since factory testing is not subject to third-party oversight, it’s important to verify whether the manufacturer provides transparent details on their testing process and what materials they use to construct their safes so you can make an educated decision.
No Testing
If you’re looking for a fire-resistant safe, the worst thing you can do is put your money towards a model that has none of the safe certifications we mentioned above. If it hasn’t gone through any evaluation or testing, you’re potentially rolling the dice on your investment.
American Security’s Best Fire-Resistant Safes
There are many American Security safes to choose from, but we’ve gathered a few we recommend for fire protection to help narrow down your options. Explore the following models to uncover the right one for your valuables!
AM Series Home Safes
Our AM safes are versatile enough to store documents, firearms, jewelry, or any other valuables you own. Built with fire protection panels, the safe will release steam when subjected to heat as part of its fire protection capabilities. All come with an ETL fire rating of 45 minutes at 1200°F.
AM2020
AM3020
AM4020
BFS Safe Series
This safe series also releases steam from our proprietary fill material that acts as a layer of fire protection for your valuables. We recommend storing items that are sensitive to moisture (like paper documents) inside plastic bags for additional protection within the safes that emit steam during these emergencies.
Most of our BFS safes are UL RSC certified and also have an ETL 60-minute fire rating. The only exception is our BFS912 model which comes with an ETL 80-minute fire rating.
BFS4520
BFS1512
BFS2214
BFS2815
BFS3416
BFS912
MAX1014 Safe
If you’re an avid jewelry collector or own treasured family heirlooms, the MAX1014 safe could be the perfect option for you. This model is built with high-density walls and acts as a solid insulator against high temperatures. With a UL TL-15 security rating and an ETL fire rating of 90 minutes at 1200°F, this is a small but mighty safe that can defend your valuables against unauthorized users and natural disasters.
BFX Gun Safe Series
Our BFX safes are particularly great for gun owners but could be versatile for many other types of valuables. These safes are constructed with our proprietary DryLight material alongside thick steel. The tall height of these safes offers cooler conditions at the bottom of the safe, so we recommend storing sensitive items like paper documents in that area.
All of our BFX models are bolstered with a UL RSC Level I security rating and an industry-leading ETL fire rating of 120 minutes at 1200°F. Speaking of fire protection, a Southern California resident reached out to American Security after the January 2025 wildfires sharing her story about how her BFX safe was the only thing remaining from her home in Altadena.
BFX6024
BFX6030
BFX6032
BFX6636
BFX7240
BFX7250
BFII Gun Safe Series
This safe series is very similar to our BFX safes, and they work well for guns, jewelry, documents, and more. They’re also constructed with our DryLight material and are certified with UL RSC Level II security rating and an ETL 120-minute fire rating.
BFII6024
BFII6030
BFII6032
BFII6636
BFII7240
BFII7250
CSC Safe Series
The security barrier built into the walls of the CSC safes doubles as fire insulation material. This model is perfect for a wide variety of valuables and paper documents. These compact models are certified with a UL RSC Level I security rating and a factory-tested fire rating of 120 minutes at 1200°F.
CSC1413
CSC1913
Fireproof and Fire Resistant Safes: Which Should You Invest in?
Now you’re equipped with all the knowledge you need to purchase a quality fire-resistant safe for your valuables. It’s important to recognize the difference between “fireproof” and “fire-resistant” claims as they mean very different things. In addition to that, you want to make sure the fire-resistant safes you’re considering are backed by industry-standard certifications.
Has a safe on our list caught your eye? Find a dealer near you to see if they have the model in stock and if not, they can help place an order for you.