First Alert 2087F-BD Combination Lock Waterproof 1 Hour Fire Safe
As a fireproof and waterproof compact safe the First Alert Ready-Seal 2087F-BD would be a good choice for anyone looking for a mid-range fire-safe. It has a number of handy features and options such as pry-resistant hinges, tough locking bolts, an override key, storage options, bolting options and more. It has a fairly solid construction and surprisingly heavy…which is a good thing!
Features and Design
The First Alert 2087F-BD firesafe is compact yet quite roomy inside offering a usable 0.94 cubic feet of interior volume. You can store many small to medium sized items including important documents and data storage media devices. There is also an adjustable, removable shelf, hanging key rack and door pocket for storing smaller items.
It looks sturdy, professional and comes standard with a nice grey color finish that looks stylish. Given its price point, this is a very well made product. This particular model is fire-resistant for up to an hour depending on the fire temperature. It also has a tough waterproof seal just on the inside of the door to protect your valuables from a flood or some other form of water damage related to a fire.
It weighs around 82lbs making it fairly heavy and has a Ready-Seal bolt down feature if you want the safe bolted to your floor permanently. This is not difficult to achieve because simple instructions are provided as well as a very handy drill template.
Security
This is a combination lock which means there are no digital components involved in the locking mechanism. It has a four-digit dialing combination lock that can be used in conjunction with an entry key for added security. An override key is provided to enable entering the safe without dialing the combination.
For some, dialing the combination might be a tad finicky which in some respects can be viewed as a good thing. However, if you are someone who will need to get into the safe as fast as possible on a regular basis then this particular fireproof safe will not suit your requirements.
The First Alert 2087F-BD has four live locking bolts and pry-resistant concealed Delta hinges designed specifically for deterring thieves. The bolts intersect with the frame to keep the door secure from either side. For its price range, this does provide good basic security however with the right tools, skills and enough time a burglar would most likely breach it.
This is just something for you to bear in mind. The higher end safes always provide better security but they are going to cost you a lot more.
The safe comes with a five year limited warranty as well as a lifetime after-fire replacement guarantee. This means First Alert would replace your safe if it were damaged in a fire. Not a bad deal!
Things to consider
Overall the First Alert 2087F-BD firesafe / waterproof safe is a good choice for anyone on a budget or not wanting to take up too much space in their home. It has a professional looking design that does not stand out, meaning that it could be blended into its surroundings…which is what you want with a safe.
It is a compact safe but for its size the interior is quite roomy allowing for a number of different items to be stored. This also includes thick reams of A4 paper if need be. Important documents can be stored but please take my advice and purchase a special moisture protection bag to put them in or get a quality safe dehumidifier.
It is a heavy safe but two strong determined thieves could easily pick this up so, if you can, make it permanent by bolting it to your floor. The bolts and other materials are included as well as the step by step instruction manual.
This is the combination lock model 2087F so you do not need to worry about changing batteries or programming instructions but you will need to memorize a 4 digit number. The combination digits come as default with each safe and cannot be changed but you do get an override key just in case you forget your number.
The four live locking bolts do an adequate job of keeping the contents safe from prying hands. The fact that it bolts on both sides of the door is also a big help. The Delta pry-resistant concealed hinges will prevent any sharp tools getting into any gaps. This fire and water safe provides its users with a reliable level of protection against fire and flood threats and of course any type of unauthorized access.
Pros:
- Precise turning of the combination dial needed to unlock safe.
- An override key unlocks the safe in an emergency.
- Can’t go wrong with pry-resistant concealed hinges.
- Compact yet roomy inside.
- Easy to bolt to the floor using the included template.
- Lack of electronics on this safe is definitely a plus.
Cons:
- Solid constructions but the handle feels cheap.
- Combination is hard coded so you cannot change it.
- The dial can be finicky for some people.
