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OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

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OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#1

OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

Bill Houghton, Winter a-cumin' in, Sebastopol, CA

>Seems like there's enough engineers and suchlike in this community that this may not be a fruitless post; I hope someone can help.

Among the items we're clearing out of my parents' place is the one-hour fire-resistant file cabinet my father brought home from his car dealership and (later) used car lot. It dates from the mid to late 1950's, is rated as one hour fire-resistant, and is VERY heavy, usually taking two-three people to move with the drawers removed.

It's hardly a collector's item, and I doubt the charity-sale organizations will want it. What I'm trying to sort out is whether it is likely to contain asbestos, since the company providing the dumpster tomorrow prohibits hazardous materials in the dumpster. The weight inclines me to think the fire-resistance is provided by firebrick, rather than asbestos blankets, but I'm speculating wildly. Anyone happen to know what was common in US-made fire-resistant cabinets of that era?

If anyone would like it to store his/her most precious rust and/or LN/LV tools, ping me offline and I'll be happy to meet you at the house....

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#2

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

V Parisian

>Most likely hollow cavity construction an then filled with... What is the term I'm looking for??? (a Fire resistant grout), pretty common in the chemical plants etc in Houston. I'd love to have one for my office, but I could buy new cheaper than shipping an antique one. Place it out by the curb, it should be gone by morning. :>)

Victor - in balmy Houston

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#3

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

thomd

>I don't know anything about cabinets, but the term you are looking for might be "refractory" cement.

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#4

Somewhat OT

Phil Joines Krum, Tx

>One of the fire safety outfits ran some tests on fire resistant safes 20 years or so ago. The best protection was 4" thick Redwood. The metal safes all transmitted heat through the metal to one degree or another and alowed the contents to ignight. The wood lasted until a hole was burned through it.

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#5

wood is good!

Gary B. in Central NY

>One of the things engrained in my head from my wood engineering classes is that a wooden beam is much better in a fire then a metal one. The heat of a fire will simutaneously weaken and expand a metal beam (thereby pushing the walls out and letting the roof drop in) but a wooden beam insulates itself through the charring and can last much longer. what can I say.....

WOOD IS GOOD!

Gary

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#6

correct.... It's Heck getting old. CRS desease.

V Parisian

>

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#7

Reminding me

Bill Houghton, Winter a-cumin' in, Sebastopol, CA

>of the FWW story some years back that the Chinese were developing their version of the space shuttle and had concluded, in early tests, that tiles made of oak were as heat-resistant as NASA's fancy ceramic replace-every-time tiles. I never saw a follow up story, so I don't know if the final conclusion was the same, but I haven't noticed the shuttle turning oaken.

Then, of course, the question is what stain will work best, and whether shellac or varnish...

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#8

Thanks, all

Bill Houghton, Winter a-cumin' in, Sebastopol, CA

>I'm reassured that I won't be dumping asbestos on someone when I recycle it.

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

#9

Re: OT: Fire-resistant file cabinet

Dave OH

>A one hour fire rating is usually achieved by 5/8 inch drywall. Most modern fire rated doors contain gypsum also. Did I mention gypsum is heavy? Asbestos is relatively light since it was an expanded mineral. Toss the file with satisfaction, concensus is almost as good as fact!

Dave

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