Fireproof document safe

GKC

GKC

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I have a couple of gun safes, which I do have bolted down. I also have one of those fireproof document safes, which isn't bolted down. I wonder how many of you use them, and if you have any concerns with a burglar just taking it? (Mine isn't bolted down because the paperwork says it will make it no longer fire-proof.)

I don't have valuables in it...but I do have important papers in it, like my DD214, our wills, birth certificates, marriage license, and other important papers.

I thought about putting a sign on the document safe, saying "Papers only - No valuables" but that presumes the burglar can/would:

1) read
2) read English
3) say "yeah, right" and make sure to take it with him/them

What do you do?
 
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I keep my document safe [about 14X10X8] inside my gun safe. I never worry about fire suppression times for the really important stuff. It just sits in the far back corner.
 
Is there room inside one of the gun safes for the fireproof document safe?

Since I rent and can't just bolt stuff to the walls or floor, any important documents like will, divorce papers, etc are in a safety deposit box at the bank. Not sure that'll apply to all as according to the poll in another thread the vast majority here own their own place and can modify as they please.

Edit: McBear beat me to it. That's what I get for being long-winded.
 
No, I don't have room in my gun safe for the document safe...but after I posted this, I thought to myself "Dummy...why don't you just put a folder with the documents in it INSIDE your gun safe!" (At worst, I could stack some guns on top of the folder.) My gun safe isn't fireproof, though...and while insurance will replace (theoretically) my handguns, that won't take care of some of these important docs.

I suppose I need to get a safety deposit box.
 
Can you fill it up with rolled coin or lead to make it heavier? I have mine well hidden, went to great lengths to make a fake panel then screwed and glued 3/4 plywood around it. In the remote chance it's found it will take some real effort to get it out of there. The down side, it's a major PITA when I want to get in there but it's long term storage so I feel pretty secure. Now what I need is a cool foolproof hiding place for the 65, secure from the BGs but easy enough to get for frequent fondling.
 
McBear said:
I keep my document safe [about 14X10X8] inside my gun safe. I never worry about fire suppression times for the really important stuff. It just sits in the far back corner.
Click to expand...

I also keep my fire-resistant, water-resistant document box in my fire-resistant gun safe. In fact, I keep two of them in the safe. I *do* worry about fire suppression times for the really important stuff, which is why the really important stuff is in the boxes, including hard drives with all the family photos and videos. If I have a fire that burns through the safe and also through the box, well, then I was meant to lose everything.
 
If you have a concrete slab , put in a floor safe. It will be fireproof, and no one will walk off with it.
 
m1gunner said:
If you have a concrete slab , put in a floor safe. It will be fireproof, and no one will walk off with it.
Click to expand...

Hmm....we actually do have a floor safe, installed by the builder, sunk down into the foundation, and below floor level. I never thought about it being fire proof...what I was worried about in terms of storing documents in it was that in case of fire, that the water used to put out the fire might flood into the floor safe, and thus ruin any documents. I suppose I need to contact the manufacturer, and see what they say about that.
 
For those who are considering a fire resistant document safe here's something
I didn't know until I read the pamphlet that came with our, Sentry Safe.

It explained that is gets it's fire resistant properties by drawing & holding moisture
in between the inner & outer cases and that all valuable documents should be
kept in a water proof pouch to prevent damage, due to dampness, over time.

Other brands may be different so your mileage may vary.
 
Heavy duty zip lock bags will provide moisture protection.

Ever seen a house burn to the foundation? In most cases the vinyl on the concrete floor is barley singed, the heat mostly goes up and out. The slab is a huge heatsink, and keeps combustables at a safe temp.
 
Fire proof safes are fire resistant and they are not water proof.

I like other have the "fireproof" document safe (box) inside my gun safe which is surrounded by drywall. We have a rapid response Fire Dept (not out in the middle of no where) so we should be OK except for all my reloading powder and the place will go up in a flash.:eek:
 
Rule3 said:
we should be OK except for all my reloading powder and the place will go up in a flash.:eek:
Click to expand...

Don't forget the Florida requirements for storing smokeless powder:

"69A-2.009 Storage; Smokeless Propellant.
(1) All smokeless propellants shall be stored in ICC-approved shipping containers.
(2) Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not to exceed 20 pounds may be stored in residences; quantities over 20 pounds but not to exceed 100 pounds shall be stored in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of at least 1 inch nominal thickness."

See
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/pdf/FAC_69A-2_03_1118.pdf
 
cowart said:
Don't forget the Florida requirements for storing smokeless powder:

"69A-2.009 Storage; Smokeless Propellant.
(1) All smokeless propellants shall be stored in ICC-approved shipping containers.
(2) Smokeless propellants intended for personal use in quantities not to exceed 20 pounds may be stored in residences; quantities over 20 pounds but not to exceed 100 pounds shall be stored in a wooden box or cabinet having walls of at least 1 inch nominal thickness."

See
http://www.myfloridacfo.com/sfm/pdf/FAC_69A-2_03_1118.pdf
Click to expand...


:eek:

I consider my house a large cabinet (think hoarders) with concrete block walls. Per the 3 little pigs brick is stronger than wood so am I exempt??:)
 
Scan all of your important documents to a flash drive. Make extra copies and keep them safe somewhere.

If your worried about the safe growing legs, buy another that can be bolted down. They don't cost that much. Use your old one as a decoy.
 
ogilvyspecial said:
For those who are considering a fire resistant document safe here's something
I didn't know until I read the pamphlet that came with our, Sentry Safe.

It explained that is gets it's fire resistant properties by drawing & holding moisture
in between the inner & outer cases and that all valuable documents should be
kept in a water proof pouch to prevent damage, due to dampness, over time.

Other brands may be different so your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

Money is really bad about mildew and mold in those. Other stuff can rust, be sure to Pack right.
 
ogilvyspecial said:
For those who are considering a fire resistant document safe here's something
I didn't know until I read the pamphlet that came with our, Sentry Safe.

It explained that is gets it's fire resistant properties by drawing & holding moisture
in between the inner & outer cases and that all valuable documents should be
kept in a water proof pouch to prevent damage, due to dampness, over time.

Other brands may be different so your mileage may vary.
Click to expand...

We found that out the hard way at work. someone bought a couple of that brand of safe to hold backup tapes and disks, software licenses, and all that kind of stuff.

After not being opened for a couple of months, when it finally was opened, everything inside was soaked !

Not what you would want to have handguns stored in :eek:
 
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