Customer Reviews

SentrySafe 1170 1/2 Hour Fireproof Security File, .61 Cubic Feet, Dove Gray

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I thought I'd offer this general advice for anybody considering buying a fire resistant (not fireproof) safe/chest product.

Some of the products only offer fire protection and not water protection, now consider this, if your home/property did catch fire and you were unable to grab your fire resistant safe, and it was left in the property, you'd be thinking...'that's OK, it's fire resistant'...but then (hopefully) the Fire Dept. turn up...and what do they do? They soak your property with water, and your safe is only 'fire resistant' not 'water resistant'.

My advice - go for one that is also water resistant, as where there is fire, hopefully water will soon follow!

The 1170 is just what I needed to keep some important documents in a fire resistant safe. The lock may not be that sturdy but if you lock the safe and you have a break-in, they will either break the lock or take the safe. So, my advice, don't lock it unless you have to have it locked for a reason. The size is big enough to hang some hanging files and a bunch of documents. I am glad I used Amazon for this purchase since they allowed me free shipping. This safe is pretty heavy (31 lbs) and the shipping would have been expensive. The safe is also very sturdy and seems well built. I read that there may be an issue with moisture building up in the safe and the manufacturer recommended using a desicant. Although the desicant must be changed periodically. Someone recommened that I wrap the documents in foil to ward off any moisture. And, you should know; the safe is "fire resistant" not "fire-proof" see manufacturers specs. If you call the Sentry Safe folks they are very helpful. Hope this helps your decision.

Purchased this more for fire protection then anything else. Nice size inside & out. The hanging folders are a nice touch. Durable & well built. Able to move around without a lot of hassle. As to theft proof, the lock is sturdy enough to deter most intruders. Definitely recommended.

This safe is exactly what I needed. If it were larger, or heavier, it would be less useful and yet it holds a large number of hanging files. It is made to hold these files and probably might not be the best configuration for loose papers. If it is put on the floor in a closet, it does have a small footprint. I wouldn't think of it as safe from burglars because one could pick it up and take it and the simple lock could certainly be overcome, but it would keep kids and other nosey people out and probably delay thieves long enough that they might pass it by. It is also easily hidden away.I might have preferred a combination lock for convenience, but the simple mechanism requires a key and this is a minor issue.I love it and am going through my things selecting documents and other important files to store in it. It just keeps holding more without being cramped. I certainly recommend using the hanging files for which it is designrd.

I bought this file case not for theft protection, but for fire protection, so, all I really needed was for the box to close and stay closed. I received this today via UPS (shipped from BuyOnlineNow) and was startled to find that not only was the cardboard box open, but the case itself wouldn't open! It literally took me 30 minutes of turning the key and pulling every which way to pry it open, and then I saw the problem - the metal latch was bent in half!!! (it was bent before I messed with it, which is why I couldn't open it in the first place) I have no clue how this happened, but I would have returned it immediately if I had bought it for security reasons. (Actually, I wouldn't have bought this model in the first place if that was the case.)

Since I knew that returning the case would be a big pain and that all I had to do was straighten the latch, I decided to do that. Anyway, after a little bending with some pliers (which also speaks to the poor security - the latch bent VERY easily!) I finally got the latch straightened and closing properly, so the only question that remains now is how well this would hold up in a fire, which I hope I never know the answer to!

To summarize, the case itself SEEMS to be solidly constructed but unless it's put to the test (a fire) I will never really know just how good it really is. My main reason for posting this review is to voice how much I am disappointed in BuyOnlineNow. It is of course possible that UPS was responsible for the damage but I seriously doubt it. It's more likely that this was a return and BuyOnlineNow never bothered to test the product before shipping it out again. I will not order something on Amazon in the future if it comes from BuyOnlineNow.

I bought this for my dad 2 years ago. It is imploding from the center out and cracking on every seam. It can no longer be shut it is so disfigured.

It has been in the house in a gentle environment all this time. But don't worry....there's a manufacturer's warranty. Too bad it's for a one year. I guess they know it self-destructs in two.

I purchased this fire safe box for my boyfriend for Christmas. I currently own the exact same model and I love it for storing all my important papers. The only downfall is that this box is extremely heavy for moving around. It DOES NOT come with hanging files so you need to buy them seperately. I purchased this off of Amazon for $50.00 and I think it is worth the price.

It seems to be a good sturdy safe with good storage for your important hanging files.I would have given it a 5 * rating if it had a simple seal to make it waterproof.

This safe is generally what you'd expect it to be. It's solid, a good size for personal files (hanging folders fit well). I haven't had a fire or flood, so I don't know how it holds up. One minor annoyance: you can't remove the keys unless it is in the locked position. I have no reason to lock it (I'm not using it to keep people out, just to protect my files in case of fire). So I either have to lock it (and risk losing the keys), or keep the keys sticking out the front at all times (which is annoying). Other than that, the product is fine,.

I've had this fire safe for over 10 years now and am very happy with its quality. I am concerned after reading these reviews that it is not fire "proof", but fire "resistant". I am hoping that if it is ever exposed to fire, it would stand up to the heat! I'd love to hear from any person who had the unfortunate experience of having the fire safe tested in an actual fire.

As for other's comments of it not being "theft proof". This is not the kind of safe that you use to protect yourself from burglaries. Thank goodness that it isn't theft proof, because if it is locked and in a fire, I would like to know that I can get into the box to access my belongings.

I'm only giving it 4 stars because I have no idea on whether it will stand up in a fire.