Safe , not so safe .

[still afloat]

Ok , bought a safe months ago , Brinks fire proof safe about 15" x 18" inside .
sat in box for a few weeks , took it out , nice looking safe .Concealed it for the time being , tossed in a bank envelope from cashing a check , threw in a big bag of Desiccant about the size of a bean bag.Shut the door and walked off about a month later went to get the money out , opened the safe and the Desiccant bag was completely soaked , the envelope and money was soaked and covered with mold .
What is going on , I know the ideal behind the fire proof safe is the concrete or whatever it is inside the safe holds moisture that is released when heated by a fire and the steam would then keep the items in the safe from a flash fire .
Did I cause the moisture by adding the Desiccant to ensure it stayed dry inside or is the safe faulty ,I've had other brands in the past of fire proof safes and never had any problems with moisture at all , 1 safe was closed with paper , money and even a pistol never opened for over a year and no moisture , no rust or anything .No Desiccant bag in it though. I thought the Desiccant would gather any moisture that may have been trapped when the door closed from humidity .etc but the money was actually wet enough it dripped water when picked up , the Desiccant was on one side of the safe the envelope on the other .I don't want to have to put everything in water proof containers before it goes into the safe .
Suggestions / explanations ?

[ShortJohnSilver]

1. Where did you conceal it?

2. any indication of manufacture date? Perhaps the concrete was still drying and gave off some moisture (I seem to recall that concrete or something similar is used between steel to provide fire resistance)?

[PatColo]

I had a Browning fireproof gun safe for awhile, I was told the fire/heat-proofing was sheetrock between the outer and inner steel... supposedly a good heat shield, at least for the rated time/temp timeframe. No moisture issues, no desiccant, it was in a basement.

[still afloat]

Was inside of house on 1st floor not basement .etc , normal humidity , good air circulation .Constant temp of 72 + or - 1 or 2 degrees .
Yes that is what I understand about the concrete .It never realy dries out and when heated by a fire it would release steam which would then fill the safe preventing a flash point fire from the items stored inside . but if it is going to release the amount of moisture to destroy items inside without a fire involved what good is it other than keeping the contents that are ruined by moisture from being stolen.

[Cebu_4_2]

That's just messed up. Call the manufacture to see what they say, the desiccant wouldn't have caused this... real strange. Please update this thread.

[still afloat]

Ok , here's the update .
Oh sir that's normal , if you read the information that was suppose to be with the safe it tells you that you need to open the safe and let it air out at least 2 times per month to prevent the moisture from building up inside .
The concrete inside the safe retains the moisture and if in a fire it releases as steam to protect the contents from burning . But , the moisture will probably damage any media or paper stored in the safe.

So this "safe" has to be left open 2 times per month not real safe in my opinion.
the contents , unless it is moisture resistant wont burn but will be destroyed in the event of a fire .

I've read stories of items being found in mason jars buried in the back yard lasting longer and recovered in better condition than in a safe like this.
Guess it would be ok for storing gold or silver but not sure if moisture would cause excessive toning on the silver .Guess I'll put some generics in to see what happens .

[vacuum]

Hm, won't generic gold and silver withstand a fire pretty well? I'd think the point of a fire-proof safe is to store paperwork...

[still afloat]

Yea , the silver and gold will withstand the fire but since the safe is a worthless piece of _____________________ *fill in blank with your own choice word* for storing most anything else might as well use it for metals and find something else for paper and media items.
Wil probably end up framing it up and pouring concrete around it leaving only access to the door for extra safety.
But yes I don't see a use for a safe that is fire proof if it will destroy the contents with excessive moisture in the event of a fire.

[mamboni]

Wouldn't be easier and cheaper to store your papers in shrink wrap submerged in a bucket of water? (I'm only half kidding). ;D

[Dogman]

Put your paper and things that can be damaged in plastic sealable Tupperware containers, that will keep the stuff dry Plus some desiccant. Air out the safe when ever you think about it.

[still afloat]

I'm thinking that 4 .50 cal ammo cans may fit in there filled with whatever I wanted and keep out the moisture .If not 4 then 2 with the extra room for metals.
May have to try that .

[hoarder]

Sell the safe, buy a backhoe. The most likely entity to steal your valuables would be federal agents and no safe can keep them out.