Built to Protect When Conditions Turn Extreme
This summer, we opened nearly 40 safes that had been through the Spokane fires. We saw different brands, designs, and levels of fire damage. But one safe clearly stood out from the rest when it came to protecting what was inside. That safe was the American Security BF Series.
Why did it perform better? A big part of the answer comes down to how the safe is built.
Many traditional gun safes use a single outer layer of steel with layers of sheetrock inside for fire protection. The pieces of sheetrock are fitted together and held in place as part of the safe's interior construction.
In a serious fire, that design can have limits. Once temperatures get high enough and the safe is exposed for long enough, the interior materials can begin to break down. In the Spokane fires, we saw safes where the interior fire material had collapsed.
The BF Series takes a very different approach.
A Stronger Approach to Fire Protection
The American Security BF Series uses two layers of steel with a poured concrete-based fire-insulation material between them. Instead of relying on separate pieces of sheetrock, the insulation fills the space between the steel walls.
The door is also built for serious protection. It uses a solid 1/2-inch steel plate with about an inch of concrete-based insulation behind it. That construction creates a strong, solid safe that can hold together under extreme conditions. It also helps reduce the gaps that can exist with traditional sheetrock designs.
When a safe is exposed to a major fire, keeping heat out is only part of the challenge. The safe also needs to stay structurally sound as temperatures rise. The BF's combination of thick steel and poured insulation helped it do exactly that during the Spokane fires.
Insights from a firefighter about house fires, protecting your valuables, and how to pick the best fire-rated gun safe for the valuables you’re protecting.
Fire Ratings, Locking Bolts, and the Door Seal
The BF Series carries a 120-minute fire rating that is independently tested by ETL. That means the fire rating isn't simply based on testing performed by the manufacturer itself. The safe also uses a four-way locking system, providing bolt coverage on all four sides of the door.
Another important feature is the expanding heat seal around the door. During a fire, this seal can swell to several times its normal size. That helps close gaps around the door as temperatures rise.
We saw this feature work during the Spokane fires. There was some smoke damage inside the BF we examined, but the interior remained relatively clean considering the conditions it had been through. The safe itself provided the first line of protection. But there was another reason some of the owner's firearms, paperwork, and valuables survived in such good condition: they had additional layers of protection inside the safe.
Why Layers of Protection Matter
We regularly talk about creating barriers between valuables and the conditions inside a safe during a fire. Even a simple layer can make a difference.
For example, putting a relatively inexpensive gun sock over an expensive rifle gives the firearm another barrier against smoke, moisture, and other contaminants. Soft gun cases and plastic pistol cases can serve a similar purpose.
We saw that firsthand with the BF from the Spokane fires. Firearms stored inside cases generally had another level of protection compared with items directly exposed to the air inside the safe.
The same idea applies to documents and cash. Our Northwest Safe Shield Fire Bag provides another protective layer while also helping organize important items. It includes dividers and spaces for documents, cash, Social Security cards, and other valuables.
It doesn't always have to be a specialized product, either. We've seen binders, cardboard boxes, and metal containers provide useful additional protection. The idea is simple: layer your protection. Your safe is the main barrier, but adding another barrier around important items can improve their chances in a serious fire.
While fireproof safes don’t exist, safes with a high fire rating can offer enhanced protection in the event of a forest fire or house fire.
Choosing the Right American Security BF Safe
Based on what we've seen in the field, we consider the American Security BF Series one of the strongest high-end safe options for the money.
The BF6030 is a popular choice with roughly 25 cubic feet of interior space. It is available with a black textured finish, a tight-fitting door, a five-spoke handle, and an ESL10 electronic lock. Other lock options can also be installed depending on the owner's preference.
There are several finish choices as well. Buyers can choose different textured finishes, a two-tone design with a textured body and gloss door, or a full gloss finish.
The BF Series is also available in several sizes, allowing buyers to choose a safe based on the amount of storage space they need. Larger options include models such as the 6636, 7240, and 7250, with the 7250 being one of our more popular larger safes.
For customers who don't need a full-size gun safe, American Security also offers the BF Home Safe Series. These smaller American-made safes use similar construction and are designed for people who want strong burglary and fire protection for documents, jewelry, cash, and other valuables.
After seeing how this construction performed in the Spokane fires, the lesson is clear: not every fire-rated safe is built the same way. For customers looking for a safe designed to provide serious protection against both fire and burglary attempts, we recommend taking a close look at the American Security BF and BF Home Safe Series.