What is the fire seal or gasket on a fireproof filing cabinet drawer?

The fire seal is an intumescent gasket lining the edges of the drawer opening. When exposed to high heat, this material expands (intumesces) to seal the gap between the drawer and cabinet body, preventing flames and hot gases from entering the drawer interior. Without an effective fire seal, heat and flame could bypass the insulating walls through the drawer gaps. This seal is a critical component of the cabinet's fire protection — inspect it periodically for damage. OfficeFurniture2go.com — call 1-800-460-0858.