ETL - Founded in 1896, over a 100 years of recognized testing Globally recognized - Testing everywhere for products everywhere, testing labs in 14 countries worldwide Completely Independent - Intertek is NOT a consultant, they do not work for the manufacturers they test, which ensures scientific results based on test data. Scientific Approach - A total of 15 thermo-sensors are used to ensure that the temperature of the furnace is maintained at testing temperature and the internal temperature of the safe remains below 350°F. Placement of the thermo-sensors follows the UL 72 guidelines as set forth in UL 72 5.2.1(b). |
| Fire causes nearly 6 billion dollars in damage every year, with a new fire starting every 55 seconds. Consumers shopping for gun safes are sure to become extremely confused over the "broad" claims made by manufacturers. Many of these claims are just that - CLAIMS - with no accepted scientific data to support them. Cannon Safes, like all home security safes, are not fireproof - they are fire-resistant. Cannon Safes are built using the finest materials strategically placed for maximum performance which we then test and verify at Intertek, ETL SEMKO Division - the world's leading fire test authority. |
| A rapid ramp-up test (reaches 1200°F in 10 minutes) is obviously tougher than a test taking one hour to reach 1200°F |
| FACT: Improved Type X Gypsum is the best insulation Gypsum is a noncombustible material, produced in the form of flat boards or plates that consists of approximately 21 percent by weight of chemically combined water (27 cubic foot safe = 6 gallons of H2O). This water content greatly contributes to the gypsum product's effectiveness as a fire-resistive barrier. Much of the background information in this section, and much more on gypsum, can be found in the Fire Resistance Design Manual, Gypsum Association, Washington D.C. The thermodynamic reaction of gypsum board or gypsum plaster during a fire exposure produces a slow release of its internal water content as steam, thereby effectively retarding the heat transmission from the source to the protected structural member (fig. 6.26) When gypsum-protected wood or steel structural members are exposed to a fire, this slow process of water release as steam, know as calcination, acts as a thermal barrier until all the internal water has evaporated. The temperature directly behind the plane of calcination is only slightly higher than that of boiling water 212°F), which is significantly lower than the temperature at which steel begins losing strength or wood ignites. Once calcination is completed, the in-place calcined gypsum continues to act as a physical shield to protect the underlying structural members from direct exposure to flames. Thermo-sensor - Quantity and Placement FACT: Intertek-ETL follows very specific thermo-sensor placement according to the UL 72 guideline 5.2.1(b) Consumer Beware! The presence of a printed fire label does not necessarily represent the performance of a valid test. Understanding the temperature readings, placement of heat-measuring sensors (thermocouples) and the safe placement during testing (Was the safe standing or lying when tested?) will help you make a more educated decision in buying your next safe. Thermocouples Thermocouples are devices used to measure temperatures at any given point. Measuring the temperature inside the furnace is as important as measuring the temperature inside the safe. Furnace Temperature Placing one thermocouple close to the flame, which heats the furnace, measures the temperature of the flame but not of the overall furnace; therefore, this method does not provide valid testing data. The furnace's ability to maintain a consistent test temperature is a vital component of a valid test. The Intertek-ETL verified test follows the UL 72 guideline, which requires a minimum number of thermocouples with very specific placement. This requirement ensures that the furnace temperature is maintained to testing requirements. The Intertek-ETL verified test exceeds the number of thermocouples required under UL 72 guidelines. Placement of Thermocouples Thermocouple placement is the most critical factor in filing or passing a fire test. The temperature inside a safe during a fire can vary up to 220 degrees form top to bottom. As heat rises, the top of the safe is the hottest spot in any test. Many manufacturers limit their thermocouple placement or don't put any at the top of the safe. Our Intertek-ETL verified test follows the most rigid in fire testing - the UL 72 specification for thermocouple placement, which requires four in the top portion of the safe, four in the bottom portion and one at the midline. This requirement takes readings from the areas most likely to allow heat to enter. The other area of weakness in all safes is around the door, where heat can pour in if a proper door seal is not present. We test these areas by placing four thermocouples on the door (one at each corner -top and bottom). This lets us know if the door seal is doing its job. A final thermocouple is placed in the middle of the safe to test any weak point on the midline that might be radiating heat upwards. Three to four thermocouples are not a sufficient indicator of how hot a safe is inside. Theromcouples must be placed in various parts of the safe with the greatest concentration in them most critical areas (top and door) in order to give an accurate readout of the internal temperature. Position of Safe When Tested A safe in you home stands upright, and a reliable fire test should include the safe in the same position; however, some facilities do not have a furnace large enough to stand a safe upright, so a test is done with the safe lying on its back! Because the weight of the door helps maintain a tighter overall door seal, it appears that the manufacturer has a better testing result. Unfortunately, your safe will be standing upright during a fire - not on it's back! Our safes are test upright just as they are positioned in you home or office, with reliable and trustworthy results. |
| Fire Protection |
