Do Fireproof Bags Really Work

I am considering getting one of these fireproof bags but I am not sure whether they really work. 

Well, you are not alone in this. I bought a fireproof bag last year with the expectation that I can keep the most important documents safe even if a fire were to ravage my home. What I had in mind was things like my lease agreement, college degree certificate and other professional certifications. Of course, my passport and marriage certificate as well. 

I cannot really exhaust what is important or not. And I bet your list would be different from mine.

I guess what made this a big issue for me is the fact that I can’t wait for a real fire to either validate or dismiss the claim that fireproof bags really work!

We all know listening to marketers is like listening to your favorite comedian. You will still fall for them!

Are fireproof bags really fireproof?

I will tell you what I discovered in my curiosity.

Fireproof bags are really fireproof. This statement stands because they are made of material that can withstand very high temperatures. An example of this material is silicone-coated fiberglass which can withstand temperatures up to 2000 degrees fahrenheit. 

Talking about being fireproof, a fire can generate very high temperatures. We are talking at anything from temperatures similar to your home oven, about 400 degrees fahrenheit to 9000 degrees fahrenheit. 

There are several factors that influence the hotness of a fire and that includes the material that is burning as well as the available oxygen during combustion. 

Irrespective of the temperatures, your documents would be damaged even if they were exposed to this kind of temperature for seconds!

To further enhance the bag, a lining of silicone may be added to make it waterproof. Although silicone may cause your skin to be itchy, thankfully science has found a way to navigate around this.

Material science has given us non-itchy silicone coated fireproof bags.

Do not forget to go waterproof!

To contextualize this, we have to think of what happens when a fire starts. If all goes as the plans, the firefighters arrive in minutes and whatever was in flames now is under water.

That includes your bag with the documents!

This combination of fireproof and waterproof at the same time means that you are covered for all weathers. 

I am that skeptikal kind of guy. I thought at first, why would anyone need a fireproof bag? But considering the hurricanes, storms, earthquakes and who knows when fire may start! Paying 20 dollars for that extra peace of mind works for me.

If you travel or camp a lot, that could be another reason why you may need one of these bags. 

Apart from what I have just explained above, do you still have a hint of doubt as to whether it will really work?

The rule of thumb is, if it cannot survive the fire then it is not really fireproof. 

But that is not all you want! Are you wondering what else is remaining?

Inside Temperatures

Well, fire causes a rapid rise in temperatures. In these high temperatures, it is possible for the bag not to allow fire to destroy your stuff but if it permits excessive heat, the heat could damage your valuables!

This is a very important factor as well while considering a fireproof bag that should work for you.

An aluminium lining may help to avoid the high temperatures.

There are a dozen questions that I get from prospective buyers. Of course like so many people, we want to see before we can believe! 

I have prepared this article because I was also in a similar situation. The information was quite scanty and scattered – and I hope I have done at least a good job to give as much information in one discussion.

If you are interested in the best fireproof and waterproof document bag, you are in the right place.

Time Limit

Is there a time limit that dictates how long the bag can withstand the high temperatures? The answer is yes. 

A fireproof bag is not meant to withstand fire endlessly. How long it can last majorly depends on the material. 

How long do fireproof bags last?

Since fireproof bags are made of a material meant to withstand the most adverse temperatures in a fire, should give you confidence in their durability.

Material of Construction 

As a result, the quality and suitability of the material used to make the bag directly influences the cost of the bag.

Hence, the real test of whether a fireproof bag is really fireproof is in the material of construction.

If the wrong material is used the bag is emptied of its power to protect your documents in a fire. Unfortunately, it too becomes a victim!

Fiberglass is widely used as an insulation material. As the name suggests, it is actually made from glass. Yes, like the normal window glass.

Besides insulation, you may also find it in soundproofing applications. 

There are quite a number of parts that are made from fiberglass in our cars for example. 

What are Some of the Things I can Store in a Fireproof Bag?

As earlier stated, the majority of people would want the bag to store important documents. For this to work, the bag needs to maintain the temperatures inside the bag at below 200 degrees celsius.

The general ignition temperature of a paper is around 230 degrees celsius. 

If the bag cannot maintain the temperatures below this, then your documents will be damaged.

On the other hand, you could prefer to use the bag to store hard drives and optical discs. These devices would require much lower temperatures inside the bag to prevent damage.

Check carefully to establish if the bag you are getting can support this application.

Of course, for a fireproof bag that maintains much lower temperatures inside, you may be required to part with a little bit more money.

How do you fireproof paper money?

A fireproof bag that keeps temperatures below 300 degrees fahrenheit and that you can pick within 30 min when a fire starts, would be suitable to keep your paper money.

Are you considering reusing the Fireproof Bag?

When a bag is subjected to very high temperatures and maybe suddenly cooled when the firefighters or sprinklers jet in the water – are you thinking like I am thinking?

there is a high probability that the bag material will not maintain its former characteristics. The fiberglass may develop some weaknesses that may fail to prevent your valuables the next time there is fire.

For this reason, most fireproof bags are used once. If a fireproof bag can be reused, please verify that the manufacturer has indicated so.

The bags are ideal for portable use e.g. travelling, camping etc. This is because they are lightweight. However, on the other hand if your application does not require mobility, you could consider using the more robust and heavier fireproof boxes or safes.

The bags due to their light weight will be fire resistant for a short time unlike the fire box / safes that can withstand the fire for a longer time.

Firebags that use velcro fastenings to keep the bag closed introduce another weakness. The material that is used for velcro is not comparable to fiberglass. Zips on the hand struggle to make your bag waterproof.

Who Guarantees that a Fireproof bag is really fireproof

This may be a difficult question! Yet to give guidance I would recommend that you check for mark from UL. At least will show that a credible party has tested the bag and it can leave to the temperatures it says it can withstand.

In Conclusion

Fiberglass is used in the manufacture of fireproof bags. The material is considered non flammable and hence cannot catch fire. Despite this, at high temperatures though, the material would melt. Here we are talking about temperatures above 550 degrees celsius.

Therefore, fireproof bags do really work. But it depends on the intensity and extent of the fire. It is very difficult to have protection against all categories of fires.

If your documents are very critical to you, I recommend the fireproof bag of your choice to be put inside a fireproof safe.

Ideally, a fireproof bag on its own would withstand temperatures of above 1000 degrees fahrenheit on the outside and less than 350 for documents. For electronic devices, internal temperatures lower than 125 degrees are suitable.

Usually, it is a compromise of cost, safety and convenience. 

I hope this article has enlightened you to make more informed choices.