Safe Location Question

[K9TXS]

Just moved into a new house and trying to find a place for my safe. It's not a beast of a safe, but it does weigh 500 lbs. I have a room on the main level where I would like it to go along with all my reloading items. There is no upstairs, but there is a basement. I don't think I can get it to the basement safely or easily. After leaving the front yard, both sides of the house is very steep. With a 500 lb safe, it would not stop until it hits the creek below. The stairs leading to the basement is not an option either, so it's back to the room on the main level.

My concern is 500 lbs in one spot over a time period. I know the flooring supports are not reinforced for this type of continuous weight. I'm no engineer, but I think is this a disaster waiting to happen. I know if there is a fire, it will be in the basement. I could leave it in the garage where it currently is, but then I couldn't put the truck in the garage.

Suggestions?

 

[The boogalorian]

Purchase a minimum of one safe per room. Place in said rooms then fill with guns.

That’s all the advice I know. If you want good advice then perhaps a responsible adult will chime in.

Good luck.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Just moved into a new house and trying to find a place for my safe. It's not a beast of a safe, but it does weigh 500 lbs. I have a room on the main level where I would like it to go along with all my reloading items. There is no upstairs, but there is a basement. I don't think I can get it to the basement safely or easily. After leaving the front yard, both sides of the house is very steep. With a 500 lb safe, it would not stop until it hits the creek below. The stairs leading to the basement is not an option either, so it's back to the room on the main level.

My concern is 500 lbs in one spot over a time period. I know the flooring supports are not reinforced for this type of continuous weight. I'm no engineer, but I think is this a disaster waiting to happen. I know if there is a fire, it will be in the basement. I could leave it in the garage where it currently is, but then I couldn't put the truck in the garage.

Suggestions?

Why not support the joists underneath from the basement.
A fire is going to destroy pretty much everything anyway.

 

[TonyinKY]

Floors should be designed for 55psf total load in new residential construction. And that’s 40# square foot live load so you really shouldn’t exceed that. You definitely want that safe next to an exterior wall or very near where there is an interior bearing wall or beam below. And don’t forget the weight of the guns and ammo in the safe. I’d opt for the basement if at all possible.

 

[Ken6PPC]

Discuss this with a safe mover in your area, if you want to discuss putting it in the basement. That is the best place to protect the safe and contents from a fire, and a safe mover will have tools and techniques to put a large heavy object in places that would surprise you.

That would also alleviate any concerns regarding floor loading. However, if the basement gets damp, then you would have rust concerns to deal with.

Having a pro put the safe wherever you would like it to be is probably your best option. It doesn't cost much, compared to what you will have in it. My best advice, and YMMV...

Edited for typo...

 

[D-4297]

Think Ken offered some sound advice to your problem . Sometimes ; spending a little bit saves a lot , in the long run !

 

[rlporter507]

mine sits on the I beam that goes down the middle of the house. its 1500 pounds.

 

[Charlie-NY]

Note: most gun safes have removable doors. That will greatly reduce weight (and some size) for moving into tight places and navigating a staircase. I put my safe in the basement. I have ceramic tile over concrete floors. The safe sits on 2 4x4s to provide some air flow and to avoid potential water damage from any minor flooding that could happen in a basement.

My safe was 1,000lbs empty.

 

[foxguy]

If placed on the main Floor, reinforce the joists below supporting the safe with bracing that goes to the floor. If Placed in the basement you may want to place it on a short pedestal to raise it up off of the concrete floor, f water may become an issue??

 

[ebb]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tiger-B...ing-Support-Column-3-in-O-D-3A-8084/202086528 A couple of these under the safe should take care of all worries

 

[Kittitas George]

If the safe must remain on the main floor, put 'X' bracing between the floor joists under the safe and a little larger area. Also nailing or screwing a plywood 'sister' to the existing joists will add a lot of strength. Having the safe near your reloading bench is a great convenience. A safe mover for the basement should be your first phone call. Dehumidifiers and gun socks can help with moisture issues.

 

[joshb]

Retired builder, here. Just support the floor where the safe is going. Most lumber stores sell metal “lolly columns”. That’s what we called them. I would nail 3 five foot 2x12 s together. Center them under the safe location so they’re perpendicular to the floor joists. Use some 2x4 to hold the 2x12 beam to the bottom of the floor joists. Install the lolly column under the center of your beam and crank it up tight. That’ll do!
Ok…Lowe’s calls them “jack posts”.

 

[snert]

Just moved into a new house and trying to find a place for my safe. It's not a beast of a safe, but it does weigh 500 lbs. I have a room on the main level where I would like it to go along with all my reloading items. There is no upstairs, but there is a basement. I don't think I can get it to the basement safely or easily. After leaving the front yard, both sides of the house is very steep. With a 500 lb safe, it would not stop until it hits the creek below. The stairs leading to the basement is not an option either, so it's back to the room on the main level.

My concern is 500 lbs in one spot over a time period. I know the flooring supports are not reinforced for this type of continuous weight. I'm no engineer, but I think is this a disaster waiting to happen. I know if there is a fire, it will be in the basement. I could leave it in the garage where it currently is, but then I couldn't put the truck in the garage.

Suggestions?

Build a cement wall room with a thin steel liner on the inside of the cement wall. Put your bench, reloading etc in it, lots of outlets and a lot of light. Line the walls with old cabinets on the floor and countertops. Put your guns on a rack standing on the countertops. I have a link somewhere to the safe door (reasonable and well made) that I bought. I'll never use a safe again. Besides. If you have a fire, you will have a safe with roasted and then drowned guns in it. Insure them. It is nice to have your guns secure, but when you are in the room, able to look at them.

 

[K9TXS]

Thanks for all the advise. I have contacted a safe mover and they will put it in the basement.
The basement is completely finished out so extra columns and bracing are not an option. I thought I had mentioned this when I wrote up the thread, but didn't.

 

[rwj]

I want my safe to be on the same level as my loading area. As I’m aging, that is on the first floor! I’ve “groaned” tired of steps!!

 

[Fast14riot]

I can tell you this, I have about 650# of aquarium on the main floor of my 1925 Craftsman home. I put it against a wall that has the massive (true) 2x12 transverse beam under it. No issues or movement in the last 5 years, even with a few minor earthquakes in that time. 55g of water, 120lb sand, 75lbs of glass tank, steel tubing stand on 4, 2" diameter feet, and its 4 feet long. It's really not much different than a safe for weight and size.

 

[moondog]

I'd also add to have the safe elevated on blocks. Water damage control

 

[Toms]

Just moved into a new house and trying to find a place for my safe. It's not a beast of a safe, but it does weigh 500 lbs. I have a room on the main level where I would like it to go along with all my reloading items. There is no upstairs, but there is a basement. I don't think I can get it to the basement safely or easily. After leaving the front yard, both sides of the house is very steep. With a 500 lb safe, it would not stop until it hits the creek below. The stairs leading to the basement is not an option either, so it's back to the room on the main level.

My concern is 500 lbs in one spot over a time period. I know the flooring supports are not reinforced for this type of continuous weight. I'm no engineer, but I think is this a disaster waiting to happen. I know if there is a fire, it will be in the basement. I could leave it in the garage where it currently is, but then I couldn't put the truck in the garage.

Suggestions?

I set my safe in the basement on a pallet it shipped on. Three of us moved it in. Just lay2 2x4's flat on stairs. Safe lays on back and slides down the boards. Lot of friction so I had to push it down. On floors use 3/4" pvc pipes. Take three, put under safe and roll till pipe is out from under safe. Move it to front of safe and keep moving it. Be careful on carpet. It will streach the carpet as it rolls across it. Good luck. Toms

 

[Old Navy]

A lot of safes are not waterproof.

 

[ELR LVR]

Just moved into a new house and trying to find a place for my safe. It's not a beast of a safe, but it does weigh 500 lbs. I have a room on the main level where I would like it to go along with all my reloading items. There is no upstairs, but there is a basement. I don't think I can get it to the basement safely or easily. After leaving the front yard, both sides of the house is very steep. With a 500 lb safe, it would not stop until it hits the creek below. The stairs leading to the basement is not an option either, so it's back to the room on the main level.

My concern is 500 lbs in one spot over a time period. I know the flooring supports are not reinforced for this type of continuous weight. I'm no engineer, but I think is this a disaster waiting to happen. I know if there is a fire, it will be in the basement. I could leave it in the garage where it currently is, but then I couldn't put the truck in the garage.

Suggestions?

Lay planks down on your stairs to the basement
Learn how to use block and tackle and a Bessey Clamp or two
I've hand pulled cars out of the snow with a 3 pulley system and $20 nylon rope
(No Joke, one lady I helped out of a ditch once thought I was Superman, I didn't inform her of the leverage multiplication factor, I think she wanted to sleep with me after.)
I also Moved a Huge Entertainment center that would hold a Large Screen TV plus drawers all up the left side over 6 foot tall, by myself, up the second story stairs,
with just a 12 inch Bessey and a rope and pulley, and a couple ratchet straps.
You'd be shocked what each additional pulley will allow you to hold and move
-------------
I cant remember if it was Grainger, Uline, or Northern Tool recently I seen in one of their catalogs also
there is some pretty trick Handtrucks for just your Dilemma.
There's stair climber handtrucks
I haven't used one myself so don't know if they also run backwards.
Regardless, they'll def handle the weight, and I'm sure you could resell it afterward

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