Do all fire rated safes give adequate protection?
Fire safes are available with different ratings, because paper and media require different forms of protection. During a fire, paper is more durable than media and can tolerate heat up to 450 F before igniting. However, paper will dry out and become brittle when exposed to heat. So, the paper rated type of safe is designed to release a little steam inside to balance the heat’s drying effect when the internal temperature nears 300 F. Media such as diskettes, CDs, and tapes cannot tolerate either the higher temperature or the humidity levels found in the paper rated products. They must be stored in an environment that will stay below 125 F and 80% humidity in order to be protected.
