Page 3 of 15 FirstFirst 1234513 ... LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 150

Thread: Expensive lesson learned from fire.

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    832
    Feedback Score
    1 (100%)
    Does anybody know if fire rated safes actually provide a real measure of protection? I saw a TV thing a while back that showed a fire safe after a simulated fire, & it did no good when they simulated a fully engulfed house fire, the ratings for temperature & time were no where near enought to provide real protection against what the "experts" said would be the temperatures in a fully engulfed house fire for as long as they would last. Probably would have been OK fo a small fire.

    Any firefighters know anything?

    I rely on insurance for replacement. The NRA has good stuff cheaper than what my insurance agent can do, by far.

    Sorry about your pets
    Last edited by LMT Shooter; 02-10-13 at 06:39. Reason: pets

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    KCMH
    Posts
    2,796
    Feedback Score
    0
    Sorry for your loss, I hope things get better fast. My safe is rated at 1200 degrees for 30 mins by the manufacturer. I am not sure what happens after 30 minutes at that temp, maybe the interior becomes a fire box.

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    1,779
    Feedback Score
    2 (100%)
    My condolences go out to you and your family. I had a dream about three months ago that our house went up in flames and I immediately called State Farm and added a homeowner's policy to our plan. Seeing this reminds me of where that extra money is going every month. Recover, rebuild, and learn from your mistakes. I would be devastated to lose even one animal or gun - you lost many. If I were a Christian, I'd pray for you, but I'm Buddhist, so I'll burn some joss and incense instead. Really though, good luck with everything. That sucks man...

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    The Great White North
    Posts
    137
    Feedback Score
    0
    Sorry for the loss of your pets and firearms.

    How expensive is home insurance in the USA?

    I pay less than $1,000.00 for $720,000 in insurance for property and belongings in Canada.

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    McKinney, TX
    Posts
    3,253
    Feedback Score
    22 (100%)
    Steel I'm really sorry to hear about your losses, the animals especially. With regard to the two guns, I would get into contact with BCM and Springfield Armory and see if they would be willing to take a look at them to see if they can be salvaged, or at least see who they would recommend to inspect them. They look rough now, but it might not be as bad as you think.

    My wife got into insurance a few years ago and we quickly learned that a "standard" insurance policy often leaves items uncovered. I've seen pictures of quite a few gun collections posted on this site that would be huge losses to the owner if they were lost/stolen/destroyed because they go way beyond what an average homeowner's policy would cover. If you have more than a couple of guns then you should at least check with your insurance agent to see how much would be covered if you were hit by a theft or fire. It's the same for jewelry and antiques as well.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brett Kastl View Post
    Does anybody know if fire rated safes actually provide a real measure of protection? I saw a TV thing a while back that showed a fire safe after a simulated fire, & it did no good when they simulated a fully engulfed house fire, the ratings for temperature & time were no where near enought to provide real protection against what the "experts" said would be the temperatures in a fully engulfed house fire for as long as they would last. Probably would have been OK fo a small fire.

    Any firefighters know anything?

    I rely on insurance for replacement. The NRA has good stuff cheaper than what my insurance agent can do, by far.

    Sorry about your pets
    As far as the average safe goes, they are constructed of steel for the security portion and then they're usually layered with drywall or gypsum board on the inside for the fire rating. Then they have padding/fabric over that for aesthetic purposes. Despite what most manufacturers claim they're not intended for protecting against direct flame impingement. They're still a worthwhile investment though. If the other furniture in the same room is all on fire the safe will provide a decent amount of protection to the items inside it for a short time, but there are too many variables to say for how long. Usually it's not as long as the manufacturer claims. Eventually the safe itself will become like an oven and something inside (do you keep any kind of papers in yours?) will reach it's ignition temp and light off. If the safe it airtight when it's closed then this fire will burn itself out pretty quickly due to lack of oxygen, but how much damage will be done by the time that happens is anyone's guess. Also as long as the fire continues outside/around the safe, the higher the temp will go inside. Even without actual fire inside the safe, the items in it can still be damaged/destroyed due to the high temperature alone. Plastics will start to melt/deform, etc.

    It also wouldn't surprise me if the safe had to be opened by a locksmith or cut into after being exposed to a fire. My safe for example, has an electronic lock that would certainly be destroyed. Even if you have a combination lock (which I understand are more secure), the dial itself would likely be damaged so that the markings on it could no longer be read. Truthfully, a lot of them can be chopped into with a pick ax or cut into with a circular saw with a metal cutting blade so you could take a chance and try getting into it yourself. Either way, I wouldn't expect to be able to walk into my house after a fire and unload the safe (depending on where the fire is in relation to the safe).
    Last edited by SteveL; 02-10-13 at 09:12.
    Steve

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1,146
    Feedback Score
    5 (100%)
    That really sucks. Sorry for the loss.

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Up state NY
    Posts
    3,037
    Feedback Score
    19 (100%)
    Sorry about your dog!

    The weapons can be rebuilt! Pistol needs to be stripped and re heat treated, all internals and barrel need to be replaced. Contact one of our smiths here and ask them for there help, I cant wait for the before and afters.

    The M4 lower is salvageable, contact trijicon and ask them to look at the optic hay you new know? Maybe they can use it in there museum if it still glows.
    "After I shot myself, my training took over and I called my parents..." Texas Grebner

    "Take me with a grain of salt, my sarcasm does not relate well over the internet"

    Jonathan Morehouse

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    East Coast
    Posts
    64
    Feedback Score
    0
    Steel, sorry for the loss of you pets and damage to the weapons.

    I Like the others I'd attempt to salvage both, you might be surprised.

    My friend lost a lot of weapons in Louisiana during Katrina. He did however, get several of his Leopold scopes repaired / replaced for free under their lifetime warranty. Trijicon also has this warranty which they might honor.

    As far as gun safes go, I was also concerned about the heat / time exposed factor. Spoke with a Fire Investigation guy from one of the biggest FD's in the country and asked about safe placement in the house to be most resistant to the heat of of house fire.

    He told me in the basement on an outside corner. Lowest heat in a dwelling fire.

    I've also got some plastic parts for the BCM if you need them, they're your's shoot me a PM.

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    276
    Feedback Score
    0
    Sorry for your loss of your weapons and especially your pets.

    I am in the market for a gun safe and I believe that I need to get moving and just get one. Hopefully, you will be able to salvage some parts and start to build up another one.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    88
    Feedback Score
    16 (100%)
    First of all I am sorry for your lose. I went through the same thing about a year and a half ago. I had a Marlin model 60 and a Taurus 1911 in the house at the time. The rifle wasn't worth salvaging but the handgun wasn't as bad. It looks like the drywall falling from the ceiling shielded them from the fire like mine. Yours look like a lot better than mine did. My .45 discharged and locked up tight. I tore it down, cerakoted the frame and slide, and replaced the springs on the 1911. It's ugly but it works like it should. I think if you have them checked out and replace the non metal components you should be good.

Page 3 of 15 FirstFirst 1234513 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •