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Building a Safe Room in an already-finished basement....
2/14/2012 4:43:54 PM
I have a friend that has asked me for advice, and I'll be darned if I know....
He has a very nice-sized room in a basement that is already finished. The room has a window in it. He wants to convert this room into a safe room without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc.
Short of installing expanded security mesh all over the inside walls and barring up the window, what ideas could anyone offer?
As for the door, I recommended a vault-type door a la Browning's, but I suspect the frame would need to be reinforced before that would work.
Any clues?
He has a very nice-sized room in a basement that is already finished. The room has a window in it. He wants to convert this room into a safe room without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc.
Short of installing expanded security mesh all over the inside walls and barring up the window, what ideas could anyone offer?
As for the door, I recommended a vault-type door a la Browning's, but I suspect the frame would need to be reinforced before that would work.
Any clues?
2/15/2012 9:35:41 AM
Wow.
The Hive is stumped?
The Hive is stumped?
2/15/2012 9:40:41 AM
Consider the limited scope of his plan, you gave good advise.
Maybe add some plexiglass?
Maybe add some plexiglass?
2/15/2012 9:48:00 AM
Originally Posted By Zaphod:
He has a very nice-sized room in a basement that is already finished. The room has a window in it. He wants to convert this room into a safe room without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc.
Short of installing expanded security mesh all over the inside walls and barring up the window, what ideas could anyone offer?
As for the door, I recommended a vault-type door a la Browning's, but I suspect the frame would need to be reinforced before that would work.
He has a very nice-sized room in a basement that is already finished. The room has a window in it. He wants to convert this room into a safe room without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc.
Short of installing expanded security mesh all over the inside walls and barring up the window, what ideas could anyone offer?
As for the door, I recommended a vault-type door a la Browning's, but I suspect the frame would need to be reinforced before that would work.
Without really reinforcing the walls against breaching, anything more robust than a solid wood door will probably just draw unwanted attention.
2/15/2012 10:02:27 AM
I can't find the thread, but someone really went to town on their wood-stud walls: conduit or pipe horizontally in the walls spaced every 10" or so, lots of expanded foam, thick ply, expanded metal sheet... I'll keep looking for it and post it if I can.
2/15/2012 10:16:21 AM
Here's a thread with a picture that I believe is from the thread I cannot find:
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=46&t=328427
picture in question:
ETA I think the "without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc." requirement is a real security killer. Even expanded sheet metal –– without further reinforcement –– is relatively easily defeated.
EATA This thread has a pretty good discussion on the topic.
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=6&f=46&t=328427
picture in question:
ETA I think the "without having to tear down the drywall, remove and block the window, etc." requirement is a real security killer. Even expanded sheet metal –– without further reinforcement –– is relatively easily defeated.
EATA This thread has a pretty good discussion on the topic.
2/15/2012 1:37:35 PM
Fox,
The first pic you posted is precisely what I was recommending to him........ Until the "don't bust the drywall" requirement showed up.
The first pic you posted is precisely what I was recommending to him........ Until the "don't bust the drywall" requirement showed up.
2/15/2012 3:24:47 PM
An overlay of 3/4" Drycon fire resistant plywood would be a good start, but still won't keep someone with a sawzall out.
2/15/2012 5:15:24 PM
How did he define safe?
Valuables secured in his absence or a "safe room" to shelter in?
The 1st is impossible with his limitations, the 2nd is doable if part of being "safe" means shooting the SOBs at some point.
Valuables secured in his absence or a "safe room" to shelter in?
The 1st is impossible with his limitations, the 2nd is doable if part of being "safe" means shooting the SOBs at some point.
2/19/2012 6:20:08 PM
Originally Posted By kallnojoy:
How did he define safe?
Valuables secured in his absence or a "safe room" to shelter in?
The 1st is impossible with his limitations, the 2nd is doable if part of being "safe" means shooting the SOBs at some point.
How did he define safe?
Valuables secured in his absence or a "safe room" to shelter in?
The 1st is impossible with his limitations, the 2nd is doable if part of being "safe" means shooting the SOBs at some point.
Valuables secured in his absence.
While speaking to him about this, it occurred to me that maybe, rather than converting the entire room into a safe room, he could build something like what is pictured above in the room without messing with any of the existing structure. He'd just have to struggle with the take-apart when the time came to move unless the buyer wanted it there. In effect, he'd be building a HUGE safe in the room, but not messing with the room itself. I mentioned that he would want to keep the smaller room ventilated to the outer room, but that other than that, it could be done fairly easily. He'd need to install a Browning-like door, of course....
He seemed intrigued by the idea, and is mulling it over.
