Protecting What Matters: A Guide to Fire-Resistant Files Fire-resistant files (often called "fireproof files") are specialized storage units designed to protect critical paper documents and digital media from extreme heat and structural collapse during a fire. While standard metal cabinets are non-combustible, they conduct heat quickly, which can lead to paper inside charring or bursting into flames even without direct contact with fire. How Fire-Resistant Files Work These units are built with a "sandwich" design:
Files are typically rated for 1 or 2 hours of protection at external temperatures reaching up to What to Store Inside fire proof files
. These are required for (like USBs, hard drives, or CDs), which are much more sensitive to heat than paper. Protecting What Matters: A Guide to Fire-Resistant Files
Layers of gypsum or cementitious materials are cast inside the steel shell. These materials contain moisture that, when heated, is released as steam, keeping the internal temperature significantly cooler than the exterior. These are required for (like USBs, hard drives,
For both home and business use, prioritize documents that are difficult or impossible to replace: FireKing Fire Proof Files, Storage Cabinets & Safes
High-quality models include a steel wire lattice to ensure the cabinet maintains its shape even if it falls through a collapsing floor. Understanding Fire Ratings