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Posted: 10/23/2013 5:43:24 PM EDT
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I am getting ready to enclose some of my wrap around porch. In this area I have the ability to build a 4x6 room that will be hidden upon completion. I would be able to make the access from either a hallway or Master bedroom, I am going to make the access from the bed room...just makes sense.
I am thinking ( I have friends in the steel business) of having it lined with 3/8 plate or 1/4, floor walls and ceiling''? then stud with 2x4 fill void of studs with fire retardent drywall then drywall with fire retardent drywall. I unfortunately will not be able to afford a vault door, but I would like to buy the best steel commercial grade door I can afford, and have it hidden by a hinged or sliding Chifferobe. It will have a HVAC vent as well some electrical juice for lights and recept's Any thoughts or opinions? |
| Be mindful of condensation & mold if you put those large steel plates inside of the wall. You would preferably put them on the inside walls of the room instead so that they are always in contact with the conditioned air. Also, you could always use steel studs and mineral wool insulation as an alternative to wood studs filled with drywall if you are really interested in fire protection. |
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There are a few documents on this page which explain how to build a reliable firewall:
http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/improveYourHome_articlesResources_technicalDocuments.shtml and here: http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/fire_wall-assemblies.shtml These are wall designs which meet industry standards. They essentially take the guesswork out of that part of your build. |
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You're not getting a Vault Door for anything near $1500. Lucky to find one anywhere under $2500.
Be careful planning a vault like this. There are obvious concerns about people getting locked inside, intentionally or accidentally. It's very tempting to make a vault a safe-room, and this is very common. Many vault doors are designed to provide this option. The care and concern is about air supply. If you plan to have people in the room, you should plan for some form of ventilation. However, a HVAC duct into a safe room is not a good way to protect your valuables from fire, since that becomes the weakness in the barrier. Most people expect a degree of fire protection from a vault, and add a layer or two of drywall to the walls to enhance the barrier. There are commercial available ventilation systems for vaults. They are not cheap. In any event, the risk of getting locked into a vault is a real concern, and the motivation to keep fire out usually means little or no fresh air supply planned. It's a huge liability, so most people will dance around the issue and wash their hands of the matter and ignore it. So, make youy plan, and know what your expectations might be. If you are going on the cheap, keep in mind that a door opening outward is better for security, but not good if you are inside and some obstruction prevents pushing it open. Inward swing is better for escape safety, but more costly and complicated for good locking. I could write a book on the matter, but liability here is huge and making more specific recommendations can result in big trouble down the road. Just be aware, and do this with your eyes wide open. |
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Quoted:
Be mindful of condensation & mold if you put those large steel plates inside of the wall. You would preferably put them on the inside walls of the room instead [bold]so that they are always in contact with the conditioned air. .[/bold Heh. An extended family member has a storage room in his basement, the roof of which is steel. Warm air from the rest of the house, of course, holds a good bit of moisture. When it makes it into this room, which is of course colder (as it is not hooked up to the HVAC), condensation forms. And because the roof is steel, enough condensation forms that it then drips down. Nothing like walking into a room to have water dripping on you. 
So, if the room in question isn't hooked up to the HVAC, then water issues can be a factor no matter what you do, and having the steel inside may actually exacerbate it. |
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Quoted:
Heh. An extended family member has a storage room in his basement, the roof of which is steel. Warm air from the rest of the house, of course, holds a good bit of moisture. When it makes it into this room, which is of course colder (as it is not hooked up to the HVAC), condensation forms. And because the roof is steel, enough condensation forms that it then drips down. Nothing like walking into a room to have water dripping on you.
So, if the room in question isn't hooked up to the HVAC, then water issues can be a factor no matter what you do, and having the steel inside may actually exacerbate it. Quoted:
Quoted:
Be mindful of condensation & mold if you put those large steel plates inside of the wall. You would preferably put them on the inside walls of the room instead [bold]so that they are always in contact with the conditioned air. .[/bold Heh. An extended family member has a storage room in his basement, the roof of which is steel. Warm air from the rest of the house, of course, holds a good bit of moisture. When it makes it into this room, which is of course colder (as it is not hooked up to the HVAC), condensation forms. And because the roof is steel, enough condensation forms that it then drips down. Nothing like walking into a room to have water dripping on you.
So, if the room in question isn't hooked up to the HVAC, then water issues can be a factor no matter what you do, and having the steel inside may actually exacerbate it. That's exactly why I used the words "conditioned air" |
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It would be hooked to the hvac system. Luckily hvac is what I do. Also as far as it being the week point there are fire dampers used in commercial bldgs that are built ro shut during such a thing.
A real vault door is out of the question...I just don't have that kinda cash. I have been thinking of the open in or out...I am feeeling more open in. The steel is out. I can fire proof the room without and as well build it structurally enough to be bulletproof for a lack of better words. So no sweating concerns. |
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