Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store computer media in a fireproof file?
No, Computer media requires a higher level of protection than even a fireproof file has.

Computer media needs to be protected from temperatures above 125 degrees and humidity must be kept below 80%. This requires a data safe or media vault

Are all the FireKing files you sell impact tested?
Yes. To be considered truly fireproof, a file must be impact resistant. To earn the UL Impact rating, a fully loaded file cabinet is heated to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for one-half hour and then dropped 30 feet onto a bed of rubble. It is then placed back in the oven at 1550 degrees for another 30 minutes. The contents must survive this grueling test to earn the rating.

Why purchase a fireproof file - won't a standard metal filing cabinet protect my vital records?
This thinking is erroneous and potentially dangerous. Paper is destroyed at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Most structure fires are many times hotter than that. A metal filing cabinet won’t protect the contents inside.

I'm not sure we have the budget to adequately protect our vital records what should I do?
Safetyfile offers fireproof file cabinets and safes to fit every filing requirement, every space constraint, and yes, every budget. Contact Safetyfile's knowledgeable sales staff directly to help you determine the best solution for your unique situation.

Isn't this just one extra expense no one needs in today's cutthroat economy?
Products (and services) which increase the protection of vital records should be viewed as an investment, not an expense like some other office equipment such as copiers, computers, faxes etc.

What sort of documents should I store in a fireproof file or data safe?
Definitely, your organization's vital records, which are defined as:

records containing information essential to the survival of an organization in the event of a disaster.

Why do vital records need to be protected?
Vital records will document an organization's legal and financial positions and preserve the rights of employees, customers and stockholders in the event of a disaster.If a Vital Record is lost, damaged, destroyed or otherwise rendered unavailable, that loss becomes a disaster-within-a-disaster, affecting critical operations needed to recover from the initial disaster.

What forms of recorded data are usually categorized as "Vital?"
Some common examples include:

Contracts/agreements that prove ownership of property, equipment, vehicles, products, etc.;

Operational records such as: current accounting and tax records,

current personnel/payroll records,

account histories, and shipping records;

Current client files;

Current standard operating procedures (SOPs);

Produced reports and summaries; Software source codes (to include both licensed programs and systems and custom developed applications).

As a buyer, what does the UL Mark mean to me?
The UL Mark, is one of the most recognized, accepted and trusted symbols in the world.

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a not-for-profit, independent testing and standards organization The UL Mark signifies to the buyer that a not-for-profit, independent laboratory has tested samples of products to safety requirements and conducts periodic checks of manufacturers' facilities. The UL Mark lends assurance about the file or safe you may purchase; it's your one assurance that steps have been taken in the interest of safety.

What if a file or safe says it is built to" a certain UL class specification claim, is that sufficient?
This is marketing-driven wordplay, pure and simple you are being led to falsely believe you are getting a product with a UL rating.

The reality is, UL has never tested it, and it's simply the manufacturer's dubious claim.

How it will stand up to a real fire is anyone's guess.

We outsource all our records storage to vendor who takes it off-site 

Do we still need to purchase fireproof files and safes?
Yes. You will always, at one point in time, have some vital records on-site, and obviously, no one is able to accurately predict the precise time a fire or other business interruption will occur.

What special measures should be taken to protect computer media?
Paper and media require different levels of protection. Paper is more durable than media and can tolerate a wide range of humidity levels and heat up to approximately 400°F before igniting.

Media such as diskettes, CDs, and tapes cannot survive either the higher temperature or the humidity levels found in the paper rated products. They must be stored in an environment that will stay below 125°F and 80% humidity in order to be protected.

Should I have all of the vital records in my organization digitized?
No. Not all records are good candidates for digitization. In many cases, it's cheaper to store paper records than to digitize them.

If an organization stores all vital records at an off-site location, they are adequately protected, right?
Offsite storage of Vital records can be a viable option for archived records, however, but for current information, such as daily backups and transaction records, storing Vital records offsite requires such a high degree of discipline and coordination that it will become extraordinarily expensive and time consuming to try to move daily backups to an off-site location At the end of the day, its just not feasible to rely 100% on off-site. Organizations still have to address the question of how to guarantee vital records are secure and fire-protected while they remain on-site.

What's the warranty on a FireKing file that goes through a fire?
In the event a FireKing file is damaged in a fire, at any time while in the possession of the original purchaser, FireKing will replace the cabinet free of charge, and ship it freight collect to the original owner. In addition, if a mechanical or operable part of the FireKing records container malfunctions or breaks down during normal use, FireKing will at its option, repair or replace such part FREE for as long as the original purchaser owns the product.