Fire ratings are a time and a temperature, and paper and drives differ · review
Master Lock states a UL classification for fire resistance — half an hour at 843 °C (1549 °F) — with water protection and a design that floats, secured by a privacy key lock.
The conclusion The one for a flood-risk house. Published rating, floats, and honest about being a privacy lock rather than a safe.
Fire boxes are all sold against fire. This one is also sold against water, and for a great many houses that is the likelier event.
It is not. A sealed box that sinks spends the whole flood underwater, and seals fail under sustained immersion. One that floats stays at the surface, comes to rest somewhere findable, and spends far less time submerged.
For a house on a flood plain, near a river, or with a cellar that has form, that is a real specification.
UL classified, half an hour at 843 °C (1549 °F). Both numbers published, which is what makes it comparable with the other rated boxes here. Master Lock adds an ETL verification at the same half hour and 843 °C (1549 °F) for CDs, DVDs, memory sticks and USB drives; no internal temperature is published for either.
Master Lock calls it a privacy lock — it keeps the box shut and keeps casual eyes out. It is not security and the company does not pretend otherwise, which is unusual and welcome. Anything requiring security belongs in a bolted steel safe.
There is an international products note on this item. Check what is actually being shipped and to which specification before ordering.
A flood-risk property, or anywhere water is the likelier threat.
On sale at $140 on the American Amazon store at the time of checking.
Prices and availability are what Keepa reported on the date this page was updated; both move.
Prices quoted in this text were read on September 2, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
| Fire rating | UL classified for documents and ETL verified for CDs, DVDs and USB drives, 1/2 hour at 843 °C (1549 °F) each, stated by Master Lock |
|---|---|
| Water | Waterproof and floating per the listing title; no immersion depth or duration published |
| Lock | Privacy key lock, two keys supplied; keeps the lid shut in a fire |
| Protection | Fire, flood and float, per the manufacturer |
| Capacity | 5 L (1.3 US gal) |
| Dimensions | 15.5 × 36.2 × 28.4 cm (6.1 × 14.3 × 11.2 in) |
| Amazon reference | B0158OFIH2 |
| EAN | 0049074025618 |
In a flood, a sealed box that sinks is a box under the water for as long as the water is there, and eventually the seal loses. One that floats stays at the surface and is far easier to find afterwards. For a property near a river or on a flood plain, it is a real feature.
Master Lock's own term, and an honest one: it keeps the box closed and casual eyes out. It is not a security lock and the box is not a safe. Anything needing security goes in a bolted steel safe, and this protects against fire and water instead.
Close enough for this purpose: it means the product was tested by UL for a specific property under a specific standard. The useful part is that the duration and temperature are published, which lets you compare it with the other boxes in this hub on the same terms.
7.8/ 10
The one for a flood-risk house. Published rating, floats, and honest about being a privacy lock rather than a safe.
Between security devices of the same category and nearby price. Shown: what they all state. A half-filled column says nothing.
| Model | Price | Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Master Lock L1200 | $140 | Privacy key lock, two keys supplied; keeps the lid shut in a fire |
| Amazon Basics FP1401M | $40 | Mechanical key, 2 keys supplied |
| BURG-WÄCHTER FP 22 K | $425 | Key |
A reference exists on these Amazon stores: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States. Listed is not the same as in stock — availability changes daily.
Details checked on September 2, 2026.
A flood-risk property, where water is at least as likely as fire.
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for home security products and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
6.2 L · UL 72 Class 350, 30 min at 843 °C (1549 °F) · fire and water resistant · key lock, 2 keys
A document box with a published fire rating: Amazon Basics states UL 72 Class 350 for 30 minutes at 843 °C (1549 °F), in a 6.2-liter fire and water resistant case with a mechanical key lock.
Best for: Passports, deeds and certificates — the papers that cannot be reprinted.
≈ $40
Double-walled · certified UL 72 fire protection, 30 min · key lock · bolts to the floor
A double-walled fire box with certified UL 72 fire protection for 30 minutes, from a safe manufacturer, and the only one in this hub that can be bolted to the floor.
Best for: Papers that need both fire protection and not to leave the house under somebody's arm.
≈ $425
A4 · 30 min fire protection · waterproof · 36.5 × 32 × 15.5 cm (14.4 × 12.6 × 6.1 in) · polycarbonate and cement fire material
An A4 fire and water resistant document box in thermoplastic polycarbonate with a cement-bonded fire layer, which HMF states protects papers for up to 30 minutes.
Best for: Full A4 documents that should lie flat rather than be folded.
