Apparatus for protecting an operable computer digital data storage device from damage or loss of data caused by fire, comprising: an operable digital data storage device, a fire resistant enclosure for said operable digital data storage device, first and second ventilation passageways (31, 32) formed in said enclosure to allow the flow of air through said enclosure to cool said digital data storage device, means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways in the presence of fire; and a fan configured to actively drive ambient air through said first and second passageways and across said data storage device so as to cool said data storage device; characterized in that: the apparatus further comprises a power connection for the fan, wherein the power connection is configured to become damaged or melted such that the fan stops rotating, if the device is subjected to a fire; and said means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways comprises forming said first and second passageways with a sufficiently small cross-sectional area and a sufficient length relative to the internal volume of said enclosure that in the presence of fire, the amount of heat from said fire flowing inwardly through said first and second passageways within a specified time period is limited to a level that prevents loss of data stored by said digital data storage device. an operable digital data storage device, a fire resistant enclosure for said operable digital data storage device, first and second ventilation passageways (31, 32) formed in said enclosure to allow the flow of air through said enclosure to cool said digital data storage device, means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways in the presence of fire; and a fan configured to actively drive ambient air through said first and second passageways and across said data storage device so as to cool said data storage device; characterized in that: the apparatus further comprises a power connection for the fan, wherein the power connection is configured to become damaged or melted such that the fan stops rotating, if the device is subjected to a fire; and said means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways comprises forming said first and second passageways with a sufficiently small cross-sectional area and a sufficient length relative to the internal volume of said enclosure that in the presence of fire, the amount of heat from said fire flowing inwardly through said first and second passageways within a specified time period is limited to a level that prevents loss of data stored by said digital data storage device. the apparatus further comprises a power connection for the fan, wherein the power connection is configured to become damaged or melted such that the fan stops rotating, if the device is subjected to a fire; and said means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways comprises forming said first and second passageways with a sufficiently small cross-sectional area and a sufficient length relative to the internal volume of said enclosure that in the presence of fire, the amount of heat from said fire flowing inwardly through said first and second passageways within a specified time period is limited to a level that prevents loss of data stored by said digital data storage device. said means for limiting the transfer of heat through said passageways comprises forming said first and second passageways with a sufficiently small cross-sectional area and a sufficient length relative to the internal volume of said enclosure that in the presence of fire, the amount of heat from said fire flowing inwardly through said first and second passageways within a specified time period is limited to a level that prevents loss of data stored by said digital data storage device.