Vault room

[Kramerica]

If you were to build a basement vault type room with concrete walls, What would you do for the ceiling? More concerned with fire than break ins but if it’s new construction what would you do to help delay both without spending a fortune?

 

[hpshooter]

If you were to build a basement vault type room with concrete walls, What would you do for the ceiling? More concerned with fire than break ins but if it’s new construction what would you do to help delay both without spending a fortune?

Concrete. Consider having the room under a porch that is concrete or a utility room/pantry or attached garage with a concrete floor. Framing for the house will be done around the room.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Line it with thick sheetrock too

 

[SSeal]

If it is going to be in a basment I wouldn't want it against an exterior wall.

 

[flintcreek6412]

Some pretty easy UL 1 and 2hr assemblies available online. Just pick one that matches your finished floor.

With concrete walls I don't think you will have much of a fire concern. Most of the fire concerns will come from the floor below and in a basement that's not an issue unless the upper structure completely collapses and the floor/ceiling can't support that weight and the fire department is the type to watch it burn. Water would probably be the biggest concern in most fires.

That said, if I wanted to go the most economical I'd use solid dimensional lumber for floor joists(2x10 or 2x12), 3/4" T&G plywood subfloor with 1/2 durock or gyp-crete with carpet. Actually 3/4 subfloor with 3/4 finished floor is pretty tough to burn through. I'd use mineral wool between joists and then a layer of 5/8 drywall on the ceiling of the vault room. The 5/8 drywall really doesn't provide much unless the fire starts in the vault room in which case you are screwed anyway.

I am not a fan of TGI joists or floor trusses in a fire unless fireblocking is used throughout which it rare so the fire spreads like crazy in those concealed places.

I think fire is probably the last risk you will have in a vault room. Ventilation and humidity would be a bigger concern for me, followed by theft and then water damage from a fire. Just my opinions based upon what I've seen in the field. I have zero experience in vault rooms though but do see poorly ventilated basements cause all kinds of moisture issues.

 

[littlebuddybr]

If you were to build a basement vault type room with concrete walls, What would you do for the ceiling? More concerned with fire than break ins but if it’s new construction what would you do to help delay both without spending a fortune?

Concrete ceiling

 

[skeeljc]

+1 for concrete ceiling. A neighbor put one in his basement. It makes a good tornado shelter too.

 

[acloco]

The threat of fire is the top of any room or safe.....regardless of which floor level the storage place is.

Roof falls in and continues to cook the contents of the container. Walls also fall in.

Any steel container, in a house fire, is nothing more than a crockpot for the contents.

 

[Kramerica]

If it is going to be in a basment I wouldn't want it against an exterior wall.

Why not against a exterior wall?

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Water coming through

 

[Kramerica]

Some pretty easy UL 1 and 2hr assemblies available online. Just pick one that matches your finished floor.

With concrete walls I don't think you will have much of a fire concern. Most of the fire concerns will come from the floor below and in a basement that's not an issue unless the upper structure completely collapses and the floor/ceiling can't support that weight and the fire department is the type to watch it burn. Water would probably be the biggest concern in most fires.

That said, if I wanted to go the most economical I'd use solid dimensional lumber for floor joists(2x10 or 2x12), 3/4" T&G plywood subfloor with 1/2 durock or gyp-crete with carpet. Actually 3/4 subfloor with 3/4 finished floor is pretty tough to burn through. I'd use mineral wool between joists and then a layer of 5/8 drywall on the ceiling of the vault room. The 5/8 drywall really doesn't provide much unless the fire starts in the vault room in which case you are screwed anyway.

I am not a fan of TGI joists or floor trusses in a fire unless fireblocking is used throughout which it rare so the fire spreads like crazy in those concealed places.

I think fire is probably the last risk you will have in a vault room. Ventilation and humidity would be a bigger concern for me, followed by theft and then water damage from a fire. Just my opinions based upon what I've seen in the field. I have zero experience in vault rooms though but do see poorly ventilated basements cause all kinds of moisture issues.

Dehumidifier solves that, I didn’t use any ventilation in the basement I have now. Zero moisture issues. Your saying for sealed up vault type room I’d want to get the air moving a bit, so a dehumidifier along with ventilation?

 

[cheek9075]

Building it with thick enough concrete wall and roof wouldn't be as much of a concern as water. I would make sure to put big enough drains in the basement to allow drainage for the amount of water the fire department will use. Depending on your location, size of house, etc. You could be looking at 1500gpm being dropped.

 

[Sniper338]

I wouldnt put it in a basement to begin with. Put it on top of the slab and cinder block walls lines with sheet rock on both sides.

 

[SSeal]

You may never have water problems against an exterior wall, but if it is isolated in the center of the basement you will for sure never have a problem.

 

[JJMoody]

Concrete ceiling would be top of my list simple to form with concrete panels and plenty of bracing, then just strip it from inside. I’d consider some PT wood strips in the concrete at 16” centers to fasten drywall or other wall-cladding to finish the inside. Also consider ventilation and lighting. electrical outlets would be handy as well. At least run some conduit for future stuff if you don’t finish it all the way at first.

 

[moondog]

Concrete ceiling

Exactly what I did when I built mine. It's under the front patio. Corrugated steel with concrete on top. Constant 45% humidity level but I'm in a dry climate otherwise I'd put in a dehumidifier. I also have a void under mine in the off chance of a fire. (Water drain) Look at "Sturdy Vault" doors.
I'd do the same thing again in a heartbeat!
I keep all my extra Powder, Primers, Barrels, Guitars, important Documents in it.
When we leave town, Computer, and Wifes Bobbles go in too. Doesn't really cost too much extra on new construction to form off a couple more walls and drop extra rebar.

 

[1shot]

A buddy of mine has what I would consider the ultimate vault, He built it when they laid the block for his basement. It it 10'x10' of 8" block with rebar down every core, then poured solid. The ceiling is supported by 3 10' I beams. Corrugated metal is then placed on top of the metal followed by 5/8' rebar doubled and criss-crossed 8" on centers. then 4" of concrete poured on top of that. For ventilation, he has 2 commercial fire dampers that close if the house were to catch on fire. His door is an old jewelry store weighing 1,000 lb. It it fire rated for 2200* for 4 1/2 hours. He once told me that a locksmith said if that door were to be bought new, it would be over $50,000.00
I know if the world goes sideways, I know where I'm headed!

Lloyd

 

[Herzo]

The easiest way to cap off a room would be to use pre-stressed concrete panels. FlexiCore or similar.

 

[Kramerica]

What would I be looking at for cost with a concrete ceiling or a pre stressed ceiling? Room is around 170SF
@Herzo
@moondog

 

[moondog]

Mine was new construction 5 years ago.
I just did mine under a patio area, about 170 sq ft. Don't really have a break down of cost. You'll have to ask your contractor and look at your plans for options. Putting in a corner is only 2 more wall pours.