Are Fireproof safes Waterproof? Everything to Know
If you’re thinking about getting a fireproof safe because you want to keep your important stuff safe from fire, you might also be wondering if these safes can keep things dry in case of water trouble. It’s a good question, especially since a lot of times, water is used to put out fires. So are fireproof safes also Waterproof?
The straightforward answer is, Not all fireproof safes are waterproof. Their main job is to protect against fire. That said, there are safes out there that are made to handle both heat and water, offering a double layer of protection for your valuables.
These dual-duty safes are often made with materials like stainless steel that can stand up to both high temperatures and water pressure. If you’re on the hunt for a safe that keeps your things dry and safe from fire, we’ve got all the info you will need right here.
What is a Fireproof Safe?
First off, let’s talk about what a fireproof safe really is. It’s a secure container where you can store valuable things with the peace of mind that they’ll be protected from fire damage. These safes are built with materials that can resist high heat, like steel. Every fireproof safe comes with a fire rating, which tells you how long it can stand up against high temperatures during a fire.
If you want to learn more about fire ratings this Fire Ratings & Certification for Fireproof Safes Guide covers the topic in detail. Let’s proceed to their waterproof qualities.
Are Fireproof Safes Waterproof?
While it would be great if every fireproof safe could also resist water, that’s not always the case. Many are designed to withstand fire but might not keep out water, which means your valuables could still be at risk from things like floods, leaks, or the water used to extinguish a fire.
However, the good news is that some fireproof safes are built to be waterproof too. These safes have special seals around the door to stop water from getting in, keeping your important items safe from both fire and water damage.
Waterproof Rating & Certification for Safes
Waterproof ratings and certifications for safes indicate how effectively a safe can protect against water. Essentially, they measure if a safe can stay dry inside after being underwater for a certain time. There’s no single global standard, but three main organizations offer these certifications:
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories). A well-known safety testing organization that conducts various certifications for safes, including waterproof certification.
- ETL (Intertek). A global independent testing and certification organization. ETL’s tests include waterproof certification.
- CEN (European Committee for Standardization). CEN is a non-profit organization that develops voluntary standards for a wide range of products in Europe, including waterproof testing qualities.
If you are interested to find out more about waterproof certifications, what organizations conduct them and detailed information about possible ratings safes can get, check this comprehensive Waterproof Certifications and Ratings for Safes guide.
Why You May Need a Waterproof safe
You may be wondering – Why would I need a waterproof safe? After all fire-resistance on its own is a great boost to your safe’s security. Isn’t it enough?
Well, there are mainly 2 reasons why you may need a waterproof safe:
- Threat of floods, storms and heavy rains. This is the first reason and it is dependent on you are where you live. If your residency is in the part of the country where floods are common or at least happen from time to time, then it would be a good idea to secure your belongings.
- During Firefighting: Water used in extinguishing fires can also pose a risk to valuables. A waterproof safe protects against water damage in such scenarios, offering an added layer of security.
Why Fireproof Safes Are Not Always Waterproof
After reading the reasons for having the waterproof safes you might be wondering – why fireproof safes are not always waterproof. It does make sense to have a safe that can resist both fire and water, right?
Well, there are a few reasons why fireproof safes are not always made to be waterproof:
- Waterproofing any safe will increase its cost. The technology and the materials involved in providing waterproof qualities will always be more complex. This inevitable make such safes more expensive.
- Adding water-resistance to a safe may make it less convenient to use. Having tighter seals and heavier doors compared to standard fireproof safes make them more difficult to open and close.
So, as you can see the price and the safe’s usability characteristics result in the fact that not all safes are made to be waterproof. Eventually it comes down to your personal choice, if you need this additional level of protection. And if you do, what budget you are willing to spend on it.
What to Look for When Choosing a Waterproof safe
Now you know that if you want a safe that is both fireproof and waterproof, the price may be higher. So, if you decide to buy such a safe, make sure the model is specifically designed for this purpose and has a proper rating.
Additional tips for choosing a water and fireproof safe:
- Consider the value of the items you will be storing in your safe. The more items you have or the more valuable they are, the more sense it makes to choose a safe with a high water and fire rating.
- Consider how often you will use your safe. If you need a frequent access to the safe, pick the one which is easy to open and close.
- It is also vital to choose the right place the safe. Consider a wall mounted safe to make it more discreet. Additionally, not putting it on the floor may help reduce the risk of flooding it.
Conclusion
To summarize the main points – most fireproof safes are not waterproof. However, some fireproof safes are indeed waterproof. They have appropriate certifications and water-resistant ratings.
These waterproof safes are typically more expensive than fireproof only models. But they do offer the invaluable peace of mind, because you won’t have to worry about fire and water threats.
When choosing a fireproof safe follow our tips and choose the model that satisfies your personal needs.
As always – keep yourself safe, and your belongings fireproof! 🔥
