Beware the Firemaster fire resistant filing cabinets

In our business, ensuring that evidence and client data is secure is extremely important and being the risk averse company we are we have a number of fire proof safes. Two of them are Firemaster brand which I understand are marketed and or manufactured by Wormald.

These are the two newest and we chose the brand as I thought it was a reputable brand and the quality would be good. How wrong was I.

With both safes there has been a mechanical failure with the opening mechanism at a time when we needed a file urgently. This necessitated arranging to have a locksmith come in and drill open the safe. The first one was a pain but we got it open and then had the part replaced and we were back in business after the loss of a few dollars and some frustration.

The second time, we had to again have the locksmith drill it out and after waiting months we learned that the parts are no longer manufactured and as a result we now have to scrap the unit. If all the units were as troublesome as ours I can see why they stopped making them but you would think they would still supply parts.

I am posting this so that no one else gets caught with buying this brand either new or second hand and to be careful if you already own one or more of the units. They may well be a problem in the making.