When ammo reaches upwards of 400✯, it then risks “cooking off” the propellant inside the cartridge. In fires, however, the temperature reaches much higher, on average about 1,100✯, and this can cause a more immediate threat. An unpredictable weapon becomes far more dangerous. Even comparatively lower temperatures, like those seen in hot climates can burn off lubrication, expand certain parts of the weapon, or break down adhesives, and taken together these effects will decrease the weapon’s accuracy, or even render it nonfunctional. Of course, if you’re locking something up in a safe, that item is clearly important to you, and such valuable possessions should not be damaged or destroyed in the event of a natural disaster.īut when it comes to firearms and their ammo, excessive heat, such as that of a house fire, is extremely damaging. These ratings can further extend to a two-hour, and a three-hour rating.Ī fire-rated safe is important, especially when it comes to gun safes. If the interior of the safe stays below 350✯ for more than one hour under these conditions, it earns a UL Class 350 1-hour fire rating. These furnaces reach temperatures in excess of 1700✯, external to the safe. This is done by enclosing the safe within a large furnace and testing the insulation strength of the safe against its external environment. UL rates safes on a variety of metrics, one of which is fire resistance. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent governing body that certifies global companies on safety and quality standards. 2023 All Products Product Catalog (PDF).

American security gun safe