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of Atlanta
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Standard Test Methods, and Why They are Important
To obtain certification for fire resistance, safes are
tested in a furnace, utilizing standard test methods to simulate a
typical home fire and to ensure that all safes are tested the same way
every time. Standard test methods include:
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Control of furnace temperature
to a defined "temperature curve" |
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Positioning of the safe within
the furnace |
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Placement of heat-sensing
devices inside the safe |
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Requirements regarding the
size of safes tested |
Control of Furnace Temperature
As a leading independent fire testing laboratory, Omega has developed
rigorous test standards for fire certification. Standard test methods
used by Omega require that the air temperature within the testing
furnace ramp up to a specified temperature within a specified amount
of time, and then maintain that temperature for a specified period of
time. Figure 1 illustrates a standard furnace temperature curve used
by Omega. During a test, the temperature of the air inside the furnace
is tracked against this curve to ensure that the furnace simulates the
conditions of a typical home fire. If the testing furnace does not
heat the air to the standard temperature curve, the furnace is not
adequate to certify safes for fire resistance. For example, it would
be easy to achieve a safe fire rating of 1200°F for 60
minutes, if the furnace air temperature does not even reach
1200°F until 40 minutes into the test. Consumers should beware
of safes that are tested in an inadequate furnace, one that does not
perform to the standard temperature curve used by Omega. |
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Omega fire tests simulate
actual home fire intensity, reaching 1200¾F in 10 minutes |
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Heat-Treat fire
tests, common in the industry, can take 38 minutes to reach 1200¾F,
extending the fire rating time claim, but providing an unrealistic
expectation of fire resistance. |
Positioning of the Safe within the Furnace
Standard test methods used by Omega and other independent testing
organizations require that safes be positioned properly in the testing
furnace, specifically in the upright position, as the consumer would
normally use the safe. The coolest area of the safe during a test or
in a home fire will always be at the bottom, nearest the floor.
Consumers should beware of safes that are tested laying on their back
or side versus upright.
Placement of Heat-Sensing Devices
Standard test methods used by Omega and other independent testing
organizations require that heat-sensing devices be placed at very
specific locations within the safe. The coolest area of the safe
during the test is at the bottom of the safe, nearest the floor.
Standard test methods require that heat-sensing devices be placed in
various areas of the safe, including the hottest area-the top section.
The safe fails the test when any heat-sensing device inside the safe
measures a temperature of 350°F or higher during the
required time of the test. Consumers should beware of safes that are
tested with heat-sensing devices that are not placed properly within
the safe, including no heat-sensing devices placed in the top of the
safe, the hottest section of the safe.
Size of Safes Tested
Small-sized safes generally perform better than large safes in fire
resistance tests, due to their compact volume and the fact that they
are sometimes closer to the floor, the coolest area during a test.
Standard test methods used by Omega and other independent testing
organizations require that large safes in the product line be tested
versus small safes. In testing gun safes, Omega requires that a
mid-sized model (23 to 25 cubic foot) or larger be tested to certify
the model series. Consumers should beware of safes certified through
tests of small-sized models. |
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