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Posted: 3/31/2017 4:11:51 PM EDT
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I am looking to take part of a closet in my house to turn it into a hidden room that doubles as a panic/safe room. Gun, data backup and camera server storage along with other valuables. Has anyone done this?
I am mostly interested in opinions on existing wall reinforcement (two walls are exterior, ones the back of another closet and I will add a wall which is where the door will be), door options for concealment and fire/burglary proofing. |
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Quoted:
Must be a hell of a closet. :) Panic room above ground in standard wood frame residential construction sounds like a challenge, as does fire protection. Subbed to see what folks say. |
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Quoted:
Yeah that's the problem. Thinking three layers of drywall and a layer of plywood for strength. Obviously fire rating is only a number and you don't keep everything in one spot but I'd love to have a reasonable shot at some fire resistance. 
I was a FF for a dozen years and there is not much you can do, at least practically, to protect a single room if the house is fully involved. Newer construction is not your friend in a fire. Those houses lose structural integrity fast given the engineered trusses and joists used. The BTUs in something like a couch or a mattress is insane and when a room in your house reaches flashover temp, it's on. That room is then a boiling cauldron of death and it will roll out. The best thing you can do for fire protection is early occupant warning, good documentation of what you own, and a decent insurance policy. I also have about half a dozen fire extinguishers in my house so I can knock down something fast if I am there at or shortly after ignition, but that is a big if. Worth the investment though, because you would probably be shocked how fast a small fire can develop into a fully involved room. The good news is that the chance of significant house fire for a specific person is quite remote. I suggest focusing more on physical security. |
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If you're on a slab I would just have a mason build some walls out of CMU and pour a concrete ceiling.
I'm assuming this will be a relatively small space so it shouldn't be a monumental task. The weakest point is going to be the entry, for both fire and smoke. Smoke will damage stuff just like fire, so you should be thinking about spending a good portion on the entry. If CMU isn't an option I would go metal studs with 1" shaft liner and two layers of 5/8 GWB on the outside. Plywood on the inside for hanging stuff. Metal fire resistance rated door and a metal door buck. |
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