Comments on: Fireproof Home Backup and Storage Solution

By: ScHwErV

ScHwErV — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:45:45 +0000

I took more pictures when I was building it, but for some reason they didn't turn out. Something about the flash on my camera and the fluorescent light I assume. That's why all the red colors look like they are some form of neon. Many of the pictures overexposed and I just didn't notice it at the time. I was so wrapped up in what I was doing and taking notes, I just didn't watch the pictures as closely as I should have.

By: Blair

Blair — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:50:37 +0000

Good point on the media rated safes. However, I think they were designed for floppy disk media. Which I'm guessing is more heat sensitive than a hard drive. The Sentry 1710 Data safe would be a comparable model. It's about $200 at street prices, or almost eight times as much. But, it does seem to offer quite a bit more insulation. It promises to maintain interior temperatures as low as 125°F (52°C) and 80% humidity for 1/2 hour.

I found this on the Sentry site regarding 1/2 fire rating of the Sentry H0100:

The one-half hour UL classification indicates that the interior of the unit will remain at or below 350° F (177° C) when exposed to fire at temperatures of 155° F (843° C) for one-half hour.

It should be noted that fires usually travel through a structure, and that the average house fire ranges in temperatures of 900 to 1200° F, for approximately 20 minutes.

In the end, I guess it comes down to how protection you're willing to buy.

By: Mike Renna

Mike Renna — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 04:30:58 +0000

I've heard that the rating on these safes is to protect paper inside from burning (a 1500 deg. fire outside will cause the interior temp to rise to below flame point of paper). I've heard hard drives / circuitry can't stand up to those temps (paper will still be there, but the solder on the boards will have melted / platters have warped. there's supposed to be media rated safes but they are likely more money. Realistically though, put this in the corner of the basement, and you are LIGHT YEARS ahead of other people in protecting your data! But then the basement is the first place to flood and the safe / drives aren't waterproof! There's no easy answer!

But THANK YOU VERY MUCH for putting this together. Again, any of this is light years ahead of not having anything, which is the usual situation!

By: SpuD

SpuD — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:49:26 +0000

Very nice idea here!!
If it was in a bigger fireproof safe would this reduce the risk of over heating ecy..?

Also you got any more picctures
SpuD