Fire rated vs regular metal cabinet

[jollygreengiant]

Are there any differences or advantages to a fire proof/resistant cabinet compared to a metal storage cabinet such as a old filing cabinet? I've never really looked at a fire rated cabinet before so I'm hoping others can chime in.

I'm really looking for the best option to store my cordless tool batteries in. I've heard and read enough stories on here about fires started by lithium batteries but I was of the understanding that those fires were caused by unattended chargers, so I've always only charged them while I was around. But last night in a FB shop group I follow someone posted that they lost their shop due to a fire caused by a lithium battery that shorted out while it was just sitting on the shelf. So I'm thinking I should have something to store my batteries in. I have 2 metal cabinets now (old filing cabinets) but would they be good enough to store batteries in? Or is going to an actual fire rated cabinet a better idea?

 

[cvairwerks]

A fire rated file type cabinet is going to weigh well over a couple of hundred pounds, even for a 2 drawer unit. If you are that worried, I'd look for a small flammable cabinet. Less expensive, easier to move and easier to find. Most of the fire rated file type units that I see, as also GSA crypto rated, and get snapped up for high bucks in a hurry when available.

 

[txvwnut]

For a lithium battery fire protection I'd go with a fire rated cabinet but even then I don't know how well one of those would be against the heat and speed at which a lithium battery will burn. You need to look at each fire rated cabinet as they have a maximum time limit before they succumb to a fire.

 

[egdede]

I moved 4 door cabinets that weighed 500-600 pounds. They were cement lined. About an inch fr4om what I could see.

 

[ZRX61]

I have a two door version & it's built from 3/16th steel & cement lined. Not sure how long it would take a lithium battery to melt through that. It's a bit on the heavy side...

 

[racecougar]

Yep, a fire-rated cabinet is a long way from the typical filing cabinet. If you're asking about a flammables storage cabinet, those are typically double wall, no cement lining, and have a catch basin for containing a prescribed amount of liquid.

Containing lithium batteries, anything is better than nothing, but out of the three choices (standard filing cabinet, flammables cabinet, and fire-rated cabinet), the fire-rated cabinet stands the best chance of withstanding and containing the fire.

 

[redmondjp]

I have a four-drawer fireproof file cabinet that I got for free. Empty, it weighs at least 800 lbs and possibly closer to 1000 lbs. It took two comealongs and straps to pull it up into the back of my pickup truck. It would be ideal for storing lithium ion tool batteries in (I currently have a bunch of soft, heavy metal bits in it , but beware of how heavy these things can be. Even with a heavy-duty appliance dolly, it's really scary to move.

 

[niget2002]

Just do what the RC airplane/heli guys do while storing/traveling with their high-powered lithium batteries.

Store them in a lipo bag.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ3BHFHP?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'd also bet you dollars to donuts that the guy that had his battery spontaneously combust had dropped it at some point so that the battery itself was damaged.

 

[EarlyBroncoGuy]

I have quite a few cans of spray paint/carb cleaner/brake cleaner/etc out in my shop that want to put into some type of flammable storage cabinet, but damn those things are expensive.

Would a used gun safe be an acceptable alternative? They're fire rated, lockable (duh), and a lot more available/cheaper. I've even considered an old, non-working refrigerator/freezer. Obviously not ideal, but definitely insulated.

Anything's better than the old, wooden kitchen cabinets the spray cans are in now.

 

[WildBill]

I once lined a regular metal cabinet with one layer of concrete board and one layer of fire rated sheetrock for this, not sure how that would hold up but figured it was way better than nothing. Now I use a really old fireproof filing cabinet. Not sure what's in it but it weighs about 300 pounds, pretty sure it's concrete. Still not as good as the correct fire cabinet but was only $40 at my local college surplus store. They get them about once a month.