Metal seed plates and hardware wallets share a cabinet but not the same environmental needs. Electronics tolerate moderate humidity swings; etched steel plates corrode faster when cabinets lack desiccant renewal.
Depth and clearance
Most consumer fire safes offer 25–35 cm shelf depth. A Ledger with cable attached needs horizontal clearance; Coldcard units with seedplate accessories need vertical headroom. Measure before purchase — we frequently remap cabinets because a new device no longer slides onto an existing shelf.
Weight stacking
Fire cabinets have per-shelf load ratings, often ignored. Two metal plates plus three devices exceed some glass-shelf inserts. We prefer steel shelf pins in dedicated wallet cabinets.
Secondary location criteria
Clients often maintain a smaller deposit box or family safe as tier-two storage. It should be reachable within ninety minutes by car from primary residence — far enough for separation, close enough for rehearsal visits.
What we document
During mapping we note cabinet model, shelf load, and desiccant change date on the map margin. This helps annual review clients know when hardware — not wallets — needs maintenance.
Book a mapping session if your current cabinet fails these checks.