The Role of the Security Safe in Protecting Against Environmental Hazards

We’ve always said that a security safe is an important layer in anyone’s security armoury, playing a vital role in protecting valuables from theft… but did you know that certain safes can also provide protection from environmental hazards?

During the month of May, we’re focusing our attention on the subject of security safes. In this post, we’re looking specifically at the role safes play in protecting contents from environmental hazards such as floods, fires, humidity and chemical spills.

When you’re planning your business or home security, you will naturally focus on protecting valuables and property from theft and possibly also vandalism. But had you thought about what would happen to any unprotected valuables in the event of an incident such as a flood or a fire?

In the year ending September 2023, there were 143,625 fires attended by fire and rescue services. And, according to the Environment Agency, around 5.5 million homes and businesses in England are at risk of flooding, with climate change exacerbating the dangers.

Floods and fires are just two of the risks posed to valuables and important documents. Other environmental hazards include humidity and chemical spills. All of these hazards could prove disastrous if you fail to protect valuables such as cash, jewellery, watches, passports, ID documents, photographs, digital media, official paperwork and spare keys.

This is why a safe is so important. Let’s take a look at how security safes can provide vital protection in the event of some of the most common environmental hazards.

Floods and water damage

One in six properties is at risk of flooding in the UK. Floods can destroy belongings, which is why it’s vital to stash valuables and official paperwork away in a suitable safe, especially if you live or work in a flood prone area, or are subject to regular major storm warnings.

You should also be aware that floods are not the only source of water damage. It’s important to remember that if there is a fire at your property, these could be significant water damage from fire hoses or sprinkler systems.

A ‘suitable’ safe in terms of providing protection from flood and water damage will be a specialist flood-resistant model.

Flood resistant safes are custom designed to withstand water ingress and provide robust protection against water damage. They are built with sealed seams and joints, waterproof seals and gaskets, and water-resistant materials and construction techniques, as well as being resistant to rust and corrosion.

Flood resistant safes are designed to remain intact and functional, even after exposure to floodwater, with minimal risk of water-related damage to the safe itself.

They can also be subject to various levels of certified testing to ensure they can withstand flooding conditions and provide suitable levels of protection against water damage. You will find certain safes in this category have ratings, such as ETL, to verify their water submersion and resistance levels.

Many flood resistant safes are set onto an elevated base or legs to keep the main body above raised water levels during flooding.

Humidity

Excessive humidity can cause significant damage to electronics, documents and other sensitive items, including artwork and historical artefacts.

Humidity controlled safes are built with a number of specialist features. These can include:

• Automatic dehumidifiers – automatically regulate humidity levels within the safe
• Desiccant systems – moisture absorbing materials placed inside the safe to absorb excess humidity
• Temperature and humidity sensors – built-in sensors that monitor and display current temperature and humidity levels inside the safe
• Climate-controlled compartments – sections within the safe that can be individually controlled for humidity and temperature – ideal for storing different types of valuables, such as electronics and documents

Humidity controlled safes are built with corrosion-resistant materials and constructed with airtight seals around the doors and joints to prevent external humidity from entering. High quality gaskets and seals ensure a tight fit to keep everything stable inside.

Some safes in this category are fitted with a hygrometer which measures and displays the relative humidity, and an alarm that alerts users should the humidity levels exceed the pre-set range.

Some of the higher end humidity controlled safes feature advanced electronic systems that precision-control humidity levels. Smart technology allows remote monitoring and control via a smart device.

Chemical spills

Valuables can be at risk from exposure to chemicals both in a domestic and commercial setting. Whether it’s household cleaning materials or industrial chemicals, delicate or sensitive items can become corroded or contaminated if they are not suitably protected.

Chemical-resistant safes are generally made from stainless steel and finished with specialist chemical-resistant coatings to prevent corrosion and degradation due to contact with substances such as acids, alkalis and solvents.

This type of safe is usually lined with a chemical-resistant polymer that provides an additional layer of protection from spills and leaks. They’ll often feature secondary containment via an internal compartment to contain spills and prevent them from spreading.

The doors and joints are fitted with airtight and watertight seals and welded seams, ensuring hazardous substances cannot penetrate and damage the contents.

Some chemical-resistant safes incorporate controlled ventilation systems to manage internal air quality, and prevent harmful vapours from building up. There will also usually be filters to trap chemical particles.

Look for standards-compliant safes if you want full reassurance that your valuables will not be destroyed by hazardous chemicals, as well as manufacturer testing policies and guarantees.

The placement of your chemical-resistant safe is an important consideration. Be sure to locate it so that it’s suitably distanced from chemical hazards.

Fire

Many regular safes will offer a degree of protection against fire, but this will vary depending on the construction.

If you wish to secure valuables that you would be devastated to lose, then a specialist fireproof safe is essential.

Fire safes are constructed with an insulated lining, creating thicker walls for increased fire protection.

There are two main types of fire safe, one for paper, and one for data.

Data fire safes are suitable for protecting any form of data storage, such as CDs and DVDs, USB sticks, hard drives, film negatives and audio or video tapes. This type of media is prone to melting or becoming corrupted at lower temperatures than paper, so it needs higher levels of protection.

Fire test standards provide that the critical maximum temperature for digital media must not exceed 120 degrees Celsius, or 52 degrees Celsius for computer data.

Paper fire safes are designed for the storage of important documents. Examples of such documents include contracts, share certificates, property deeds, wills, policies and personal ID documents such as passports and birth certificates.

Always observe the cash and valuables ratings of fire safes when making your choice. Fire safe ratings are set following a variety of tests, including the explosion hazard test, the fire endurance test, and the fire drop test.

Insurance providers refer to fire ratings when assessing the policy risk. The higher the rating, the more secure your items are considered to be. This could result in more competitive insurance premiums.

Combined environmental protection and unique challenges

Multi-protection safes are available, offering combined protection from a range of hazards. The most common are fireproof/waterproof safes. These provide protection in the event of fire, and from the water that puts it out.

It may be that you require a custom-built safe, for example if your property is subject to unique environmental challenges, such as particularly hazardous chemicals, or a combination of humidity and chemical risks. In such cases, you should consult with a security expert who will work with you to have something bespoke designed.

Finally, never forget the importance of professional safe installation. Insurers will usually issue guidelines as to how and where a safe is installed, particularly in commercial premises. It is therefore vital to commission a professional safe installer for complete reassurance.

Security safes for all needs from Barry Bros Security

At Barry Bros Security, we have been supplying security safes for more than 75 years. Our service extends to insurance graded and custom designed safes to suit individual requirements, and we can also construct safes to fit into given spaces.

What’s more, our professional security safe installation service will ensure you meet insurance requirements.

For tailored advice on selecting the safe to suit your individual needs, please get in touch or call in to our London security showroom to browse our display of safes in person.