SentrySafe Black Fireproof Document Box with Key Lock, Safe Secures Files and Documents for Home or Office, 0.61 Cubic Feet, 13.6 x 15.3 x 12.1 inches, 1170

Why I picked this document box

I wanted a straightforward way to keep birth certificates, passports, social security cards, and a few small backups safe from a house fire without committing to a full-size safe. The SentrySafe document box (model 1170) hits that brief: it’s a compact, fire-rated file chest designed specifically for paper and small digital media, with rails for letter-size hanging folders. After a few weeks of organizing and living with it, I’ve come to appreciate its strengths—and its limits.

Build and design

Out of the box, the first impression is weight. It’s hefty in a reassuring way, the kind of dense weight that suggests there’s actual fire-resistant material inside rather than just a metal shell. The exterior has a clean black finish that blends in under a desk or on a closet shelf. There are no carry handles, so moving it is a two-hand job. For something that’s meant to stay put, that’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth knowing if you expect to relocate it often.

The form factor is boxy and simple. Exterior measurements are 15.3 inches wide, 12.1 inches deep, and 13.6 inches high. Inside, you get 12 inches by 8.5 inches by 10.4 inches, totaling 0.61 cubic feet. That height allows a surprising amount of vertical stacking with hanging folders. I loaded mine with eight letter-size hanging files—passports, property records, insurance documents, vehicle titles, and a folder for USB drives—while keeping room to grow.

Fit and finish are solid. The lid seats evenly, and the hinge allows a wide opening for easy access. The included flat key lock is basic but smooth in operation. You get two keys; I tagged the spare immediately and stored it away from the box.

Fire protection credentials

This chest is UL Classified to endure 30 minutes at 1550°F, and ETL verified to protect CDs, DVDs, and USB drives. In practical terms, that means it’s designed to keep the internal temperature low enough to preserve paper and common digital media during a short-duration residential fire. If you need multi-hour burn protection or you’re protecting temperature-sensitive film, data tapes, or hard drives, you’ll want a different class of safe. For paper and solid-state media in a home or small office, a half-hour rating at this temperature is a reasonable baseline.

A reminder on what this is not: it’s not a waterproof safe. If water protection is a priority (sprinklers, firefighting, flooding), this box should sit high, not on a basement floor. And as with most fire chests, the insulating material can release moisture over time; I added a couple of large silica gel packs and used archival sleeves for passports and certificates. It’s a small step that reduces the risk of humidity-related issues.

Everyday use

Day-to-day, this is a file box that happens to be fire-rated, and that’s exactly how it behaves. The interior rails fit standard letter-size hanging folders, which means you can organize documents by category and pull a folder without dismantling your whole stash. It’s a big usability win over flat document safes where papers end up stacked.

The lid opens wide enough to access contents without contorting. The key lock is not finicky; insert and turn, and it secures the lid. It’s important to understand the lock’s purpose: it’s there to keep the lid from popping open in a fire and to prevent casual access, not to defeat a determined intruder. If someone is intent on theft and has time, a compact fire chest isn’t the right tool. For that, you’d want a burglary-rated safe with a different construction—and you’d accept a much higher price and weight.

Because there are no handles, carrying it any distance is awkward. I placed mine in a closet on a waist-high shelf where it’s hidden but still reachable. The footprint is modest, but the height is greater than a typical banker’s box; measure shelf clearance if you’re tight on vertical space.

One more practical note: there’s a faint “new safe” smell when you first open it—pretty normal for this type of insulation. Leaving it open for an afternoon and loading it with desiccant took care of it.

Capacity and organization

The 0.61 cubic feet capacity goes further than the number suggests because it’s optimized for letter-size hanging files. If your paperwork is legal-size, this isn’t a match. Within its intended format, though, it’s efficient. I stored:

• Vital records (birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards)
• Home and insurance documents
• Vehicle titles and service records
• A small pouch with USB drives and SD cards
• A few small items like a spare key and emergency cash

Organization stays intact because the folders hang cleanly. You’ll need to supply your own letter-size hanging files; none are included. I prefer folders with plastic tabs and acid-free sleeves for anything irreplaceable.

Security expectations

It bears repeating: this is a fire document box, not a burglary safe. The key lock is a simple flat-key mechanism. It’s perfectly adequate for preventing accidental opening and discouraging idle snooping, but it’s not meant to withstand forced entry. There’s no provision for bolting it down (drilling would compromise the fire lining). The best practice is concealment—keep it out of sight—and rely on its weight and low profile rather than on the lock for security.

If theft protection is essential for your use case—jewelry, cash, firearms—look for a safe with a burglary rating and, ideally, bolt-down hardware. Use this box for what it’s designed for: protecting documents and small media from heat.

What I like

• Real fire protection for paper and small digital media, backed by UL and ETL ratings
• Purpose-built file storage with rails for letter-size hanging folders
• Hefty construction that feels substantial and stays put
• Simple, reliable operation; keys work smoothly and the lid aligns well
• Compact footprint that fits on a shelf or under a desk, yet offers useful vertical space

What could be better

• No carry handles; moving it is awkward despite the manageable size
• The lock is basic; good for keeping the lid closed, not for serious security
• Not waterproof; placement matters if flooding or sprinkler discharge is a concern
• Hanging folders aren’t included (not a flaw, but plan to buy them)

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and renters who want to protect vital paper records and a few small electronics from fire
• People who prefer a filing system over a pile of documents in a flat safe
• Anyone needing a compact solution that can tuck away in a closet or under a desk

Who should look elsewhere? If your primary concern is theft, consider a burglary-rated safe. If you need water protection or longer fire ratings, step up to a model with both fire and water certifications and, ideally, a one-hour or longer UL rating.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The SentrySafe document box does exactly what I expect a fire file chest to do: it keeps important papers organized and adds a credible layer of protection against a house fire. It’s heavy in a reassuring way, easy to live with, and purpose-built for letter-size hanging folders. The trade-offs—no handles, a basic lock, and no water rating—are inherent to this category and easy enough to manage with smart placement and a few desiccant packs.

I recommend it for anyone who wants a practical, budget-friendly way to harden their document storage against fire. It’s not a theft deterrent and won’t protect against water, but within its mission—safe, simple storage for critical papers and small media—it’s a dependable choice that’s easy to integrate into a home or small office.