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Thread: Expensive lesson learned from fire.

  1. #81
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    Expensive lesson learned from fire.

    Quote Originally Posted by masakari View Post
    Are Stack-On safes acceptable to protect against fire? My planned location is on concrete, in the basement, away from anything else. I am looking at the "24 gun" (yeah right) model for about $800 at a local store.
    I know that they are mid-grade at best, but for the price I'm thinking that they are one of my best options. Recommendations? Thoughts?
    I saw the link for Sturdy Safes, and it would only be an option if the cheapest one without the extra fire protection offers equal or better fire protection than the Stack-On.
    You might be able to add DIY fire resistance to the Sturdy Safe. I suspect lining everything but the door with fire bricks and the door with fiberglass insulation might do a reasonable job.

    http://www.northlineexpress.com/9-x-...rick-fb-1.html

    -john

  2. #82
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    I am sorry to hear about your pets.

    If it helps with the decision about a safe, I found this video which has some pretty good tips/information in it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltK-bDbADa8

    Masakari, you may want to look at Zanotti Armor. I do not have any personal experience with this company, but they have gotten some decent reviews on some of the other forums I have been on, and they seem to be favored by people who have to move in and out. Basically, the safes assemble/disassemble from the inside, so they can be moved more easily. I am sure there is a trade off just like everything in life, but but if it is acceptable, they may be worth a look.

  3. #83
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    That's a great video,I sold safes for 15 years and he is dead money on most points. Most people do not understand that the $1500 safe they got at Bass Pro has no chance in a average house fire. Everything in it will be toast.

  4. #84
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    Sorry about your loss regarding your pets, I know how you must feel as ive been in the same boat once before.

    I was wondering if you managed to save anything on your pride and joy AR? Like were you able to reuse the barrel, everything else looks like the fired has damaged, i was asking as a simple curiosity.

  5. #85
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ar1b3nz View Post
    Sorry about your loss regarding your pets, I know how you must feel as ive been in the same boat once before.

    I was wondering if you managed to save anything on your pride and joy AR? Like were you able to reuse the barrel, everything else looks like the fired has damaged, i was asking as a simple curiosity.

    I haven't gotten that far yet. I just received a email from Bravo Company and they said they are sorry but they do not offer that service. Looks like they are not going to help me. So I looks like I will need help from another source.

  6. #86
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    As a firefighter it pains me to read through this thread. It also inspires me when i see the overwhelming support this forum has to offer.


    On the safes remember that drywall is mostly used for insulation in safes. Do yourselves a favor and try and place your safe in a closet and keep the doors shut. When a house fire builds the smoke does just as much damage as the flames. The smoke itself will rise to over 1,000 degrees before it and the unburned products of combustion within ignite.(flash over) Make sure your safe has the heat expanding seals that activate during a fire. Also placing your safe in a closet or walk-in closet will help provide more heat insulation, just make sure to keep the doors to the closet shut.

    In fact if you are away from the house you should compartmentlize it. Keep all your interior room doors shut. Fire will spread through conduction, convection, and radiation. By having the door shut to the fire room you won't have fire spreading through convection as fast as through a opened doorway. Doing the same when you are sleeping will greatly increase you and your families survival when also paired with a smoke detector.

    To the OP, I am very sorry for your loss of family pets and firearms. Throughout my career I have delt with some horrible scenes that were heartbreaking as well as gruesome. Keep your head up high, you are alive and at the end of the day that's what's important.

    Stay safe,
    Fireman1291
    Industry T&E

  7. #87
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    Just saw this thread. It is sad for me to hear about your losses. I know from personal experience that kind of fire can be quite a devastating experience.

    Nothing you can do about your snakes and furry friends, and that is sad. I can imagine that was the worst part of all.

    As you said, buying insurance can be a great idea. Hopefully this will help you for NEXT time:

    The standard homeowners policy language is designed for the average joe with one handgun or one hunting rifle. If you are one of those guys with more of a collection than that.... this thread is for you. The way I see it, you have 4 options. They are listed below along with some other notes.

    Option 1, let your standard homeowners policy cover the guns
    Problems:
    --Your base homewners policy only covers your guns for fire and other limited perils, PLUS there is generally a limit on "theft" of anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on your company.
    --There may be problems collecting a fair value for collectible price, antique value, sentimental value, rarity value, etc.
    --Most insurance companies have these limitations on guns AND accessories, not just guns. So keep in mind that your $3,000 Zeiss scope may be INCLUDED in these limitations.
    Advantage:
    Already included in your premium so no cost.
    Ick's notes:
    If you have a lot of value this is a very poor way to protect your firearms and related equipment.

    Option 2, purchase a higher theft amount on your homeowners
    Problems:
    --Your base homewners policy will STILL only cover your guns for fire and other limited perils, SUBJECT to a limit on "theft" based on what you purchased.
    --There STILL will be problems collecting a fair value for collectible price, antique value, sentimental value, rarity value, etc.
    --Accessories may also be included within this limitatoin, so don't forget to consider the value of accessories that could also be stolen or damaged in some way.
    Advantage:
    Simple and cheap.
    Cost:
    Generally nominal cost, A buddy of mine said said a $5,000 limit cost $5 a year on his State Farm policy.
    Ick's notes:
    If you have a lot of value this is a very poor way to protect your firearms and related equipment.


    Option 3, purchase separate insurance from NRA "collector not shooter" program
    Problems:
    --The policy language that I have read from this program is limiting and possibly would result in no coverage for most guys guns, so read the fine print. It doesn't sound like a clean transaction to me. Sounds like you are paying for something and not getting much coverage.
    Advantage:
    --Can you insure the items for a true fair value a collectible price, antique value, sentimental value, rarity value, etc. under this program? I would assume so, but check the fine print.
    Cost:
    --Cost is $6.70 per $1,000 of value which is good, but I have serious concerns about policy language though.
    Ick's notes:
    If you have a lot of value this is a very poor way to protect your firearms and related equipment especially when there is a very broad option available for only a few dollars more.

    Option 4, purchase separate scheduled insurance from your homeowner program or the NRA's broader program.
    Problems:
    --You likely need to get some kind of written appraisal from a local gun broker. This is generally NOT a big deal.
    Advantage:
    --The coverage is very broad and covers all sorts of things like flood, dropping the firearm down a cliff, realizing 3 hours later you left it by a tree after field dressing an animal and it is not there when you return, etc. This kind of broad language covering the firearms and accessores can be really important, so don't miss this advantage.
    --You CAN insure the items for a true fair value a collectible price, antique value, sentimental value, rarity value, etc. under this program.
    Cost:
    --Ick's homeowners in PA with local agent and Pennsylvania company is $11 per $1,000 of value, I have three other companies at about the same cost.
    --NRA's program is $17.40 per $1,000 of value Cha-CHING!
    --A buddy of mine has State Farm in Texas with local agent at $17 to $22 per $1,000 of value (This is a VERY high price, not sure why State Farm is so high).
    Ick's notes:
    Most of my customers choose NOT to list every firearm and accessory they own. Generally they list the most expensive and valuable firearms, optics, lasers, etc. this way.


    Ick's Other Notes
    Caution: Some company people are LIBERAL ANTI-GUN so don't be surprised if you have follow-up questions about "Why does the insured have a howitzer?" Personally I have yet to have a company make a big deal out of anything my customers buy, but I have heard of someone having trouble at some point in the past. Case in point:


    Keep in mind, I have found this ---^ to be the EXCEPTION, not the rule.

    You SHOULD keep a book on all your firearms including photos, invoices, serial numbers, NFA tax stamps, etc. in a SEPARATE location. It is also a good idea to keep any firearms history in here for things like "added new trigger" or history like "This weapon used in so-and-so conflict by my grandfather William Schmortz" or whatever.



    OK, so I am a little anal about documentation. Fortunately there are some huge long-term benefits of that kind of record keeping.

    Last edited by Ick; 02-12-13 at 15:44.

  8. #88
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    Wow great info. Thanks Ick!
    THE MORE YOU SWEAT IN TRAINING, THE LESS YOU BLEED IN BATTLE

  9. #89
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    This is a scenario that I always worry about. Sorry about your losses.
    "Seriously?" -SWATcop556

    "I don't think so" - Iraqgunz

  10. #90
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    Ok so now I need to know if their is another professional person or company that will check out my AR and possibly rebuild it for me?

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