| In today's modern world, more and more people | | | | brought under control by the fire department. So |
| own guns. Besides avid hunters and gun collectors, | | | | a 1 hour safe is adequate for most fires. But you |
| more people are purchasing them for a security | | | | should also consider your home's building material |
| measure in their own home. But with children | | | | (flammability), the size of your home and the |
| about, guns need to be kept secure. Not only | | | | distance your home is located from a fire |
| should guns be kept secure from tragic accidents | | | | department. A large home located 10 miles from |
| and unauthorized use, but they should also be | | | | town and is nestled in the woods with a shingle |
| kept safe from damage from such sources as | | | | roof, will burn longer and hotter than a brick home |
| fire, after all, they are an investment. A fire proof | | | | located in a local down town neighborhood. |
| gun safe is essential for any gun owner. Here are | | | | 4. Do I need a high security lock? |
| five questions to ask yourself before purchasing a | | | | The answer to this question may be related to |
| safe. | | | | the perceived value of the items from others |
| 1. Besides guns, what else do I want to store in | | | | that may be put in your safe, or perhaps you live |
| my fire proof gun safe? | | | | in a high crime area. A combination lock is usually |
| First you have to consider what type of fire arms | | | | standard on a safe, but there are other options. |
| you have (hunting rifles, shotguns, pistols), how | | | | Here are some of the types of locks you may |
| many, besides other items you want to store in | | | | come across while researching the best fire proof |
| your safe. This will first help determine what size | | | | guns safe for you: |
| safe you need. Also, many safe companies offer | | | | - Group 2 Combination Lock (standard) |
| a wide variety of interiors, so you can practically | | | | - Group 1 Combination Lock (manipulation proof) |
| design your own. You can have gun stands and | | | | - Group 2 Combination Lock with Key Locking Dial |
| multiple shelves (fixed or roll out drawers) in | | | | - Key Locking Handle |
| different configurations to accommodate a | | | | - Digital Combination Lock |
| variety of items. | | | | A highly secure safe may be best, but may take |
| 2. How much fire protection do I need? | | | | longer to access. This could be bad if you need |
| Besides the safe's size and interior configuration, | | | | access to your guns quickly. |
| the amount of fire protection you want in your | | | | 5. Where will the safe go in my home and will my |
| fire proof gun safe can also be affected by the | | | | floor support the safe? |
| items in the safe. Paper chars at about | | | | A large safe is very heavy, so if your safe is not |
| 400°F, but media (computer discs, DVD's, | | | | going on the first floor, you may want to consider |
| film negatives etc.) begins to melt at 140°F. | | | | having an engineer of home inspector come and |
| So if you plan to store media in your safe along | | | | make sure that your floor will support a heavy |
| with important documents and guns, you will need | | | | safe. You may be O.K., or you may need to |
| a safe with a stronger fire protection. You will | | | | purchase a smaller fire proof gun safe than you |
| want a safe with a UL 125 rating, meaning that | | | | originally intended. |
| the internal temperature will not go above | | | | Though there are many other considerations |
| 125° F. If there is not media, but only your | | | | when purchasing a fire proof gun safe, this is a |
| fire arms and paper, a UL 350 rating will work. | | | | small list to get you started when you begin |
| 3. How many hours of fire protection do I need? | | | | shopping for the best form of security to keep |
| Fire proof gun safes are rated for half, one, two | | | | your fire arms safe. Oh yea, and realize that no |
| and three hours of burn time. The average home | | | | safe is actually fire proof - only fire resistant! |
| fire burns for 15 - 30 minutes before being | | | | |