Why a Fireproof Gun Safe Isn’t So Fireproof
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.
When we think about house fires, most of us imagine something slow and smoky, like a campfire in the kitchen. But the truth is, today’s house fires are hotter, faster, and far more destructive than the fires from 50 years ago.
I’m Conner Elhard, a firefighter with more than a decade of experience and co-owner of NW Safe Bozeman. Fire and fire protection aren’t just a passion of mine — it’s my business. Unfortunately, there are a lot of misconceptions about how fires burn, fireproof gun safes (which don’t exist), and what level of fire protection you really need.
In this post, I’ll share my firsthand experience with fighting fires and the destruction homeowners face in the aftermath. We’ll look at the potential risk to your valuables, the best places to install a safe for maximum protection, and what to consider when looking at a fire-rated gun safe. Specifically, we’ll cover:
Fires Move Fast—Really Fast
Many people don't realize how quickly a small fire can become a disaster. A kitchen fire that starts on a stovetop can spread to walls, shoot up into the attic, and engulf the entire home in minutes. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the average time to escape a home fire has dropped from 17 minutes in the 1970s to just 3–5 minutes today.
What Changed? The Stuff Inside Our Homes
The materials we use to build and furnish our homes have changed—and not for the better when it comes to fire.
In the 1950s, homes were built with thick, solid wood called dimensional lumber. Furniture and carpets were made with natural fibers like cotton or wool. These materials burn more slowly and at lower temperatures.
Today, most home materials are made with petroleum-based products like polyurethane foam and plastics. These synthetic materials act like fuel. As a result:
-
Fires now burn at 1,500–1,800°F, compared to 1,100–1,200°F in past decades.
-
Today’s fires typically produce thick, black, toxic smoke due to burning plastics.
-
Rooms can be fully engulfed in flames in under 3 minutes.
Smoke and Soot Cause Major Damage
Even if flames don’t destroy your belongings, smoke, soot, and water likely will. After a fire, many people discover their valuables—like firearms, photos, or jewelry—are coated in thick, oily soot. This soot comes from burning plastics and petroleum products and can ruin metals, finishes, and electronics.
Why Most Safes Fail in House Fires
Many homeowners assume a basic safe from a big-box store will protect their valuables in a fire. Unfortunately, that’s not always true.
In my experience, more than 50% of low-end safes have failed when the home has experienced major fire damage. The outer shell warps, the insulation breaks down, and smoke seeps in. Why? Because:
-
Cheaper safes use thin metal that crumples under high heat (like an aluminum can in a campfire).
-
Many “fireproof” safes are only rated for 30 minutes at 1,200°F — which isn't enough in modern fires.
Important Fact: There’s no such thing as a truly “fireproof” safe. Only fire-rated safes exist, and their rating is based on how long they can protect contents during a fire.
The Role of the Fire Department
Most fire departments aim to be on site within 5 minutes of getting the call. But that doesn't always mean the fire just started. If a fire starts while you’re away or sleeping, it might burn for 20–30 minutes before it’s even noticed.
That means your safe—and everything in it—could be exposed to extreme heat for up to an hour or more before firefighters even arrive.
What Fire-Rated Gun Safe Should You Buy?
At the bare minimum, choose a 60-minute fire-rated safe. Ideally, choose something with 90–120 minutes of protection. Remember: your safe is an insurance policy for the things you can’t replace.
And just like with car or health insurance, your safe should match the value of what it’s protecting. If you’re storing $10,000–$100,000 in firearms, documents, or sentimental items, investing in a higher-end fire safe is worth it.
Key Features of the Best Fire-Rated Gun Safes
Several key elements of a gun safe help limit smoke from entering during a fire. These include:
-
Fire Seal: This is arguably the most important feature for keeping out smoke. It is a special material around the door that expands when exposed to heat, creating a tight barrier against smoke and heat.
-
Tight Door Tolerances: The tighter the door tolerances, the smaller the gap between the door and the door frame. And just pouring water through a funnel, the smaller the gap, the slower the flow.
-
Robust Door Construction: A solid door will hold up to higher temperatures for longer times without buckling.
-
Thicker Steel Walls: As with the door, the thicker the steel walls, the longer they will withstand a fire without buckling.
-
Fully-Welded Seams: Tack welding or spot welding quickly fails during a fire, causing even safes with thick steel walls to buckle and expose the contents to smoke and soot. Fully welded seams are better built to withstand the heat.
Where Should You Put Your Safe?
Unfortunately, there’s no one perfect answer, but here are some tips:
-
Concrete basements can protect against flames, but water damage from firefighting efforts is a risk.
-
Garages are easy to access, but also store flammable items like paint, gas cans, and mowers.
-
Interior rooms on the ground floor, ideally against exterior concrete walls, offer better structural protection.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to put your safe where you’ll use it. A safe that’s hard to access often ends up underused or unlocked. And if you’re safe is unused during a housefire, then even if it has a good fire rating, it won’t protect anything.
Final Thoughts: Buy the Right Safe, Not the Cheapest One
If your rifle costs $5,000 and your heirlooms are priceless, don’t trust them to a $500 safe. Fire-rated safes come in many sizes and price points, but the key is to buy based on the value protected, not just the price tag.
In the end, a good safe is like a helmet or a seatbelt: you hope you’ll never need it, but if you do, it could save you thousands—or even preserve the things you care about most.