Safe question - here's a weird one

[Abby]

I've been following the safe/RSC threads for quite some time now.

Then I had a thought. I live in Florida. Coastal Florida. Where hurricanes happen.

So - here's the question for our safe gurus...if it's fire-rated, is it watertight? For how long? Assuming saltwater (storm surge). Or, if you have the numbers, is there a difference between fresh and saltwater?

[Jordan]

No

[a1abdj]

Sentry makes a gun "safe" which is supposed to be waterproof for 24 hours up to 2 feet deep. It's the only gun safe that I've heard of that is water resistant.

There were even bank vaults in New Orleans that were designed to be watertight, and failed. Of course, there were others that weren't designed to be watertight that stayed dry.

You could have a safe built that would be water tight, but you probably wouldn't want to know what it would cost.

[CB900F]

Abby;

No, not watertight as such. However, good units have at least one intumescent seal on the door. These will typically swell six to eight times under heat. Their purpose is to seal the interior of the safe from the noxious, corrosive gasses of a fire. But, I'd think, that if they did swell they'd also provide a good water barrier. The rub being that they don't start to swell until about 250 degrees fahrenheit.

Then if you've drilled any holes to allow an electrical cord, or anchor bolts, the whole water-tight question is out the window anyway. Be aware that many units come pre-drilled. Also be aware that many units that go down an assembly line have an approximate 1" hole in them somewhere. Usually the top or bottom panel. The hole is sealed with a soft plug of some sort in most cases, but the hole is there to allow the unit to hang from a hook as it goes down the assembly line.

900F

[hksw]

Foodsaver vacuum pack.

[ARGarrison]

Hate to pull up an old post, but

I just got a Stack-On Total Defense 28 gun safe that claims to be waterproof for 72 hours in 2 feet of water. They use the words waterproof and water resistant interchangabley though. You have to bolt it down and use their supplied washers or it won't be waterproof. They go on to claim the safe will float if not bolted down. I'm guess if it floats, it will tip and then the vent holes will take on water.