Fire tests and fire ratings vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The general consensus is that 1100-1200 F is an appropriate peak temperature. The duration of the test is just as important as the temperature. Heat transfer takes time. A short (30 minute or less) test with a very high temperature may not be as accurate an indicator of the safe's fire resistant properties as a longer test at lower peak temperatures. Equilibrium between internal and external temperatures will always eventually be reached, given enough time. The external temperatures and duration of the test that the safe endures should be representative of the type of fire anticipated.

Ask specifics about test parameters. Look for tests that are 30 minutes or longer with at least 20 of those minutes above 1000 degrees. Look closely at the temperature vs. time profiles during the test , the peak temperatures during the test, and the internal temperature of the safe. The peak temperature means nothing if the test was short, not allowing time for the heat transfer to occur. Many manufacturers say their safes are rated 1200 F/30 minutes which may not mean that the safe can endure 1200 degrees for 30 minutes. It means the whole test lasted 30 minutes and the peak temperature may have only been 1200 for the last five or ten minutes of the test. Additionally, it’s important to ask about the failure criteria. Some manufacturers use 350 F as the maximum allowable internal temperature. Others use a more stringent 275. All these differing criteria, make it very confusing when comparing one brand to the next.

WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING FIRE RATING COMPARISON METHOD.

Since the vast majority of safe brands use sheetrock for fire protection, we suggest you merely look at the weight of the safe and the thickness of the fire protection. More is better.

One layer of 5/8" thick fire rated sheetrock is about the minimum we would suggest. You'll probably get 30 minutes protection in a house fire.

Two layers of 5/8" thick sheetrock will give you approximately 45 to 60 minutes in a house fire.