Fireproof/Waterproof storage

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Posted By: Brian Macdonald

We will soon be adding onto our house, and I have been thinking of building a small area as a safe place to store the more valuable collectibles. A "closet sized" room would suffice. I am wondering if there is a way to best guard against fire and water damage for this particular small room. Are there building materials that protect in such a way? Any suggestions are appreciated.

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Posted By: Keyway

In comercial construction fireproof rooms are built with metal studs and joists and on concrete floor. A Double layer of 5/8 firecode sheet is put on all walls and ceiling. The door and frame are made of steel and have a 2 hour fire rating as does the sheetrock. As far as water damage a good footing drain around your foundation, should keep your house water free. If the room is for display that is the way I would build it. If your just going to store your stuff in it and don't need it for display your better off buying a fireproof gun safe, as they are large and safe in all ways. Hope that helps. Frank

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Posted By: Jason Duncan

Brian-

I am a builder in MO. Since we tend to have alot of tornadoes I build all concrete "safe-rooms" in my basement. If you have not built yet, I would suggest that you run this by your builder. If you are no pouring a basement foundation, then metal studs on a slab would have to. Another alternative is a stacking form system where you can pour all your exterior walls in concrete. If you go that route, just have the builder form and pour a small room in the house. You will have to alternate your house plans of course. This all would cost a little more money, but you would have peace of mind in the end. The cheapest space you will get in your home as far as adding square feet would be a poured basement, and in this case pouring a safe room to the earea would be easier and would not alter your main level floor plans.


Regards,
Jason

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Posted By: Jason

Well I had a flood in February that gave me the honour of having 9 inches of water throughout my house. The obvious thing that saved my collection is that I had it up high.

My place is constructed out of concrete so it would be pretty resilient to fire. One thing to consider about fires. Back in my net admin student days. Our school had a fire. We had all our data in a fireproof safe. Sure the disks and stuff didn't burn but the heat sure did melt it.

I imagine all our finely slabbed cardboard would have the same thing happen to it. So look into a heat resistant safe that can handle the sort of heat that would be generated if there is a fire in that room.

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Posted By: boxingcardman

Your best bets are (1) insure the cards to value, (2) get safe deposit boxes at local banks for the best stuff. That way, if your home takes a hit, at least the key cards are OK and you get paid. Plus, no one can burgle your home and put a gun to your head to get into the fireproof room if it doesn't exist. Or do they not do home invasion robberies where you live (unfortunately, they seem to have invented drive by shootings and home invasion robberies in So Cal)?

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Brian

Thanks for your responses...good tips for our project.

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Posted By: Ken McMillan

You know you could go to an old school building and get asbestos to line a room with. Great fire protection but hell on the families health........yest this is a sick one for an idea.... bad kmac

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Posted By: Darren

I recommend dedicating an area for a closet that could fit a fireproof gun safe. Raise the floor a foot or two just in case and voila.....a cost efficient way of securing your collection.