Given the number of products being introduced to consumers daily in the market, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate the good from the bad. When it comes to fire safety, you should be looking for the best fireproof bag. In light of this, today, we break down some of the basic aspects that you should consider when looking for the best fireproof bag.
According to a statistical study, the US experiences an estimated 358,500 home fires yearly. This is a staggering number so it is essential to use fire-saving mechanisms to protect your most prized possessions. Keeping up with fire safety regulations is one thing. On top of that, using fire-resistant storage like fireproof locking document bags becomes essential.
1. Resistance to High External Temperature
In the wild, fires can reach a temperature of up to 1,472° F. On the other hand, house fires are known to reach a maximum temperature of about 1,500°F at their most intense. The best fire-resistant bags are the ones that will have an external temperature limit of around 2,000°F.
2. Maximum Internal Temperature
Fireproof bags have insulation and an inner material whose purpose is to keep the temperature from rising with the external heat source. For instance, the temperature at which generic paper goes up in flames is 480°F. This means that the inside of the locking bags must maintain a temperature that is below at the most 400°F.
3. Duration of Heat Resistance
Unfortunately, where most fire-resistant locking bags fail is the time during which they can withstand a fire. Most home fires, statistically, can last up to 1.5 hours when no action is taken. However, even the best fireproof bags can only survive up to 30 minutes inside a burning house. Therefore, the fire-resistant bags you buy must be able to resist extreme heat for an extended duration.
4. Water Resistance
Normally, firefighters will douse the fire with water in case of a house fire. This means that you need a fireproof bag with waterproof fabric. Otherwise, your documents will be destroyed simultaneously as the fire is being put out.
5. The Fastening Material
A fireproof bag with Velcro fastenings will not be waterproof after having been even briefly exposed to fire. The ones with Velcro fastening often rely on nylon or polyester combination hooks to close. These materials can, unfortunately, only withstand temperatures up to 280°F. As such, after only two minutes of direct exposure to heat, they will be unable to protect the contents inside the bag. A better alternative is using bags with zipper locking systems.
6. The Size
When it comes to high-quality products, it is always a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket. Instead of buying multiple cheap and sub-standard fireproof bags from local markets, invest in a large fireproof bag to store all of your important documents, money, electronic storage drives, and other indispensable things. This is more cost-effective.
7. Having a Lock
Most retail businesses store sensitive documents and paper money in fireproof bags and cases. Even if there isn’t a fire breaking out in your home or shop, it s still important that the essential documents inside them are kept safe and away from prying hands. This is where a lock comes in handy. Although such Locking Document Bags are slightly heavier than the ones with velcro or zipper openings, they offer better security.
8. The Material
You would think that this feature would be at the top of our list, but this is where it gets tricky. Unfortunately, options for the material composition of fireproof bags are very limited. Most bags are made of polycarbonate blends with a silicone coating. Higher quality bags tend to use fiberglass, which offers far better protection, although expensive.
Unfortunately, when speaking of the best fireproof bag, no product will guarantee 100% safety because when it comes to fires, almost every variable is unpredictable. The best option, then, is to invest in a high-quality product that offers the most insulation, placing it near an exit where it can be easily grabbed and one that is light enough to be grabbed in a short time.