Fire ratings on storage furniture only mean something when they are backed by a test certificate from a named test house. This page explains the main standards you will see and what to ask before you buy.
Why a certificate matters
Anyone can describe a cabinet as fire resistant. That phrase means nothing on its own. A genuine fire rating comes from an independent test house that has tested the actual product against a recognised standard, and the result is written on a certificate naming the standard, the time achieved and the test house. Always ask for that certificate, and check that it names the product you are buying, not just the range.
Standards for paper
EN 15659 covers light fire storage units for paper, with ratings such as 30P or 60P. NT Fire 017 is a Nordic test also used for paper, with ratings such as 60 Paper or 120 Paper, and it is used for media as well.
Standards for data
EN 1047-1 covers data cabinets and safes, with ratings such as S 60 DIS or S 120 DIS for diskettes and drives.
Paper and data are not the same
Paper chars at around 175 degrees Celsius. Digital media fails at much lower temperatures than that, so a cabinet rated for paper does not protect data, even if the times look similar. If you are storing hard drives, tapes or other media, look for a rating that has been specifically tested for data, such as EN 1047-1.
What to ask for
- The name of the standard, for example EN 15659, NT Fire 017 or EN 1047-1.
- The rating achieved, for example 60P or S 120 DIS.
- The name of the test house that issued the certificate.
- Whether the certificate covers the exact model you are ordering.
How we check
We ask our suppliers for the test certificate for every fire rated product we sell. You can ask us for a copy before you buy, and we will send it to you.
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