Fire Ratings
Independent laboratories test products to see that the promised fire protection is real. Sentry uses ETL and UL. Below are a description of the types of tests that might be mentioned with specific products on this page. Then further down the page, are a description of the actual ratings given by ETL and UL labs to products that they test.
Fire Endurance Test
After heat sensors and paper are placed inside the safe, the unit is locked and exposed to a uniformly distributed fire. The furnace is regulated to reach a maximum temperature of 1700F for a period of one hour, or 1850F for two hours, then allowed to cool without opening the furnace. The interior temperature is recorded throughout the test and during the cooling period until a definite drop is shown and must never exceed 350F.
Once cooled, the unit is opened and examined for usability. The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission
Explosion Hazard Test
The safe is locked and placed into a furnace preheated to 2000F. This temperature is maintained for 30 minutes (2 hour test is 45 minutes) and if no explosion results, the unit is allowed to cool without opening the furnace doors. Once cooled, the unit is opened and examined for usability. The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission.
Fire Impact Test
After the explosion hazard test the safe is removed from the furnace and within two minutes is dropped 30' onto a riprap of brick on a heavy concrete base. After impact the unit is examined for deformation, rupture of parts, damaged insulation and any other openings into the interior of the unit. Once cooled, the unit is inverted and reheated to 1550F for a period of 30 min. (2 hour test: 45 min. at 1638F).
Once cooled, the unit is opened and examined for usability. The units locking mechanisms and parts fastenings are examined for security and the interior examined for visible evidence of undue heat transmission.
| FIRE RATINGS | |
| UL rating Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. |
for Sentry and AMSEC Fire-resistant Safes |
| 1 or 1/2 Hours UL rating - Class 125 or Class 150 |
Maintain an interior temperature less than 125F or 150F and an interior relative humidity less than 85% for class 150 or 80% for class 125, when exposed to fire as per the Standard Time Temperature Curve for hours to 1700F. Successfully undergo all other requirements for the Fire Endurance Test, the Explosion Hazard Test, the Humidity Test, and the Fire & Impact Test (separately or combined). Basically, no explosion through 30 minutes of exposure to a 2000F fire, an immediate 30 foot drop test, and a standard reheating for 30 minutes to 1550F. |
| 4 Hours UL rating - Class 350 |
Maintain an interior temperature less than 350F when exposed to a fire as per the Standard Time Temperature Curve for 4 hours to 2000F. Successfully undergo all other requirements for the Fire Endurance Test, the Explosion Hazard Test and the Fire and Impact Test (separately or combined). Basically, no explosion through 30 minutes of exposure to a 2000F fire, 30 minutes of standard exposure to 1700F, and immediate 30 foot drop test and a Standard reheating for 60 minutes to 1700F. |
| 2 Hours UL rating- Class 350 |
Maintain and interior temperature less than 350F when exposed to a fire as per the Standard Time Temperature Curve for 2 hours to 1850F. Successfully undergo all other requirements for the Fire Endurance Test, the Explosion Hazard Test, and the Fire and Impact Test (separately or combined). Basically no explosion through 30 minutes of exposure to a 2000F fire, 15 minutes of standard exposure to 1638F, and immediate 30 foot drop test and a Standard reheating for 45 minutes to 1638F. |
| ETL Semko Fire Testing
|
for Sentry Fire-resistive Gun Safes
Sentry Fire-Safe products with an ETL rating have been tested by the independent testing firm ETL Semko and verified to be in compliance with the manufacturer's specifications for fire endurance. |
| ETL 1/2-Hour Fire Endurance Test | Sentry Fire-Safe products are subjected to temperatures of 1400 F (760 C) for 1/2 hour. The interior remains below 350 F (177 C). |