The 8 Best Fireproof Boxes for Legal Size Documents
Nothing is horrifying as fire consuming your property. Fire is dangerous and is also one of the common causes of accidental deaths in the whole world. Statistics show that many household fires are as a result of faulty electrical and cooking equipment. With this in mind, there is a need to protect essential documents and other valuables using fireproof box for legal-size documents since you never know when a fire may strike your residence.
Fireproof boxes are made of special materials such as gypsum, perlite and vermiculite. The naturally occurring minerals have high thermal resistance and are lightweight. Apart from being used for document boxes, the materials are also used to construct office and home safes where you can keep your valuables such as money, gold, necklaces and so on. Fireproof boxes are expensive as compared to the regular bags mainly due to quality.
This guide is going to give you tips on the best fireproof waterproof document bags you can get in the market as well as where to get them and the actual price. It is high time you start securing your land title deed, educational certificates, marriage certificates, photos and other many types of documents crucial in your life. Our boxes are tested and proven to be effective after several examinations by experts.
What is a legal document?
You might be wondering what a legal document is. Well, a legal document in the US is a certain size of paper almost the same size as a foolscap and A4 paper although a bit larger. It measures 216 x 356 mm (Width x Height) while a foolscap measures 203 x 330 mm (Width x Height). An A4 size paper measures 210 x 297 mm (Width x Height).
How do fireproof boxes work?
The boxes work by resisting heat damage from fire. However, you need to understand that the fireboxes are not 100% safe since they protect contents up to a certain period. Fireproof boxes have different fire resistance ratings such as one hour, two hours, 2.5 hours and so on. This is the duration in which the boxes can resist fire damage.
When buying a fireproof document box, you should look at the rating. A one hour or less rated box will not be useful in times of fire exposure since by the time you manage to put off the fire, the box will be damaged as putting off fire may take more than one hour.
Also, many fireproof boxes can also withstand water damage for a certain period. In case flooding occurs, you can be sure that your documents are still safe for several hours. An ordinary waterproof document safe can keep your documents dry for at least 12 hours.
Is there an alternative way of keeping documents safe other than fireproof boxes?
Now that the world has gone digital, you can save documents in a cloud. You can open an account with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, among others and keep your documents there. You only need to scan the documents and upload them to your account. Anytime you need them, you download and print.
Most importantly, your password to the cloud accounts should be highly secretive and difficult to guess. It means that even when your hardcopies burn or get lost, you can still download the same copies from your cloud account.
Which are the 8 best fireproof boxes for legal-size documents?
I have done a detailed survey on the best fireproof document boxes and came up with the following. Hope you will get a good one for your use.
1) SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Safe and Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad
The cabinet can endure fire for 1 hour at 1700°F to keep interior temperatures safe for documents, money, DVDs, and USBs. It is ETL Verified to withstand a 15-foot fall during a fire and remain closed. Furthermore, it can keep your documents dry for more than 24 hours in case of any flooding.
It is waterproof up to eight inches deep. The box has a one-year limited warranty. It has a digital Keypad with backlight for locking the safe.
- Both fire and waterproof
- Resists opening upon fall
- Digital lock
- Keypad with backlight
- High quality
- Limited warranty
2) Stalwart Digital Safe-Electronic
The safe has 1/2″ thick solid steel plate door & 12 gauge steel body that makes it very strong. It also has three massive 1″ solid steel locking bolts; bolt detent & chrome handle for the safe security. Also, the safe has high-security electronic lock UL approved – NL.
Moreover, the stealth floor safe has a high-quality dust cover to protect your lock from dust and scratches, thus increasing its lifetime. Also, the box has a chrome handle for easy opening.
- Thick solid steel
- UL approved
- Dust cover
- Chrome handle for easy opening
- Electronic lock
- No clear warranty details
3) SentrySafe EF4738E Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad
The SentrySafe EF4738E is both fireproof and waterproof safe. It has a digital keypad to help you to lock the box. Furthermore, the safe has three removable shelves and two keys. The box is ELT Verified to endure 1/2 hour at 1400°F to protect documents and other valuables.
It is also waterproof and can stay for 72 hours in water up to 12 inches deep. The digital lock requires name branded AA alkaline batteries that can last for 8-10 years.
- Both water and fireproof
- ELT Verified
- Has a digital lock
- Three removable shelves
- Two keys
- ½ hour fire resistance time may not be useful
4) TIGER KING Security Home Safe
The safe is made of high quality and durable thick steel material for long-lasting protection. It has four 1 inch solid live-locking bolts, 2.8 inches front door. It has a removable shelf that you can use to store things separately in an organized manner.
Furthermore, the safe has both a digital lock pad and a key. You thus have two options to open and close the safe. The key is for emergency use in case you forget your passcode. Furthermore, it sounds an alarm if there are three attempts of the wrong pin.
- Durable material
- Removable shelf
- Digital padlock
- Emergency key
- Has alarm for added security
- It is a bit costly
5) TIGERKING Digital Security Safe Box
It has durable thick steel that makes the safe long-lasting and reliable for protection of valuables. It comes with four 1 inch solid live-locking bolts, and 2.8 inches front door. Moreover, it has a removable shelf that can load documents, money and other essential things.
The safe has both a key and a digital lock. In case you forget your code, you can use the key to open the safe. It would be best if you always kept the key hidden to prevent unauthorized access. It also has an alarm to alert you of unauthorized access. The safe is also attractive for home and offices.
- Durable
- Has both digital and manual key
- Alarm system
- Easy to use
- Attractive design and colour
- No clear warranty details
6) Viking Security Safe VS-25BL
Use your fingerprint to open the safe uniquely. Apart from the biometric sensor, the safe has a digital keypad so that you can use a combination of digits to lock and unlock it. It is also sound on/off programmable to alert you if you leave the door open.
The box has integrated LED light for easy visibility when opening at night. It also has a one year warranty. You can be sure that you will get free service or refund if it fails.
- One year warranty
- Fingerprint scanner
- Has a digital lock
- Sound off/on programmable
- Integrated LED lights
- A bit costly
7) BARSKA AX11930 Large Keypad Security
The safe has an electronic lock so that you can easily use a code to open the safe. It can store two unique codes, thus allowing multiple authorized users to open it. Furthermore, it has a lockout mode so that it remains locked if someone attempts severally to open it.
Moreover, the BARSKA safe has concrete steel walls, and two built-in pry-resistant steel deadbolts and anti-phishing design. It also has an option to mount on walls.
- Strong and durable
- Electronic lock
- Built-in pry-resistant steel deadbolts
- Anti-phishing design
- Wall mountable
- No emergency key
8) AdirOffice Digital Depository Safe
The safe is made of rugged, steel construction to make it long-lasting. Your documents and other valuables are safe in this box so long as it is locked. Moreover, it has an electronic lock where you use a combination of numbers to open it. It also has a concealed manual keyhole.
Also, it has a programmable keypad so that you can change the factory PIN codes to your codes. It also has a lockout mode that activates after several wrong attempts. Interestingly, it has a dropbox bin for a quick deposit of documents without opening. It has versatile use.
- Dropbox bin
- Concealed keyhole
- Electronic lock
- Programmable keypad
- Versatile use
- No clear warranty details
Bottom line
Fireproof boxes are essential equipment to have in homes and offices. You never know when a fire will invade your premises, and you might end up losing irreplaceable documents. Also, you should embrace digital technology and have your documents online in a cloud for easy access as well as maximum security. Fireproof document boxes are not 100% efficient since they offer protection for a limited time.
