Gold & Silver Forum (http://goldismoney.info/forums/index.php)
- Survival Prep (http://goldismoney.info/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=141)
- - Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof (http://goldismoney.info/forums/showthread.php?t=455890)

nickelless | 03-14-2010 06:27 PM
Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Anyone have any tips on how to do this? I've got all of my important documents in a fireproof filing cabinet that weighs about 800 lbs., but I'd like to be able to retrofit my food storage area to make it fireproof as well, just in case. A local story about a house burned down by a Molotov cocktail makes me worry about the vulnerability of my food preps if vandals hit--if they can't break it, they can still burn the house down. Would it be good to store my preps inside a concrete-block storage area and create some kind of "heat sink" to draw heat and/or fire away from it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink EDIT: I was just reading deeper into the Wikipedia article and realizing that there are problems with passive fire resistance when it comes to electronics or similar equipment, but since food preps would be a different animal to keep from combusting than other items, what could be done to protect food and other vital items in case of fire?

still afloat | 03-14-2010 07:15 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof A double layer of 1/2 or 5/8 inch drywall will give you fire resistance . Building code requires that between the 2 sections of duplex housing units for fire code.Other states codes may vary . Perhaps enclose the area in the double layer of drywall and metal studs with a fire proof door . Just a thought.

mayhem | 03-14-2010 08:02 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by still afloat (Post 2226463) A double layer of 1/2 or 5/8 inch drywall will give you fire resistance . Building code requires that between the 2 sections of duplex housing units for fire code.Other states codes may vary . Perhaps enclose the area in the double layer of drywall and metal studs with a fire proof door . Just a thought.
Two sheets of 5/8 fire rated drywall will get you about 2 hours if I recall correctly. Block walls, on a concrete slab, and use steel framing for the roof trusses with a steel roof would prolly work, at least I hope so, as that is what I did. Inside of the roof is 2 sheets of 5/8 drywall.

still afloat | 03-14-2010 10:09 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by mayhem (Post 2226517) Two sheets of 5/8 fire rated drywall will get you about 2 hours if I recall correctly.
Thanks for the hour count , I knew it was fire resistant not proof but couldn't remember the length of time.

nickelless | 03-14-2010 10:26 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof So what would it take to extend the period of fire resistance? Just more drywall?

mayhem | 03-14-2010 10:54 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by nickelless (Post 2226683) So what would it take to extend the period of fire resistance? Just more drywall?
I have seen 1 inch fire rated drywall. Ran into it in a condo in Boca. They used it to wrap a vent that went from the first floor to the roof. It was double layered, with a sheet of 5/8 on top. We were doing mold remediation and had to cut about 3 feet of it on three sides of the column. Heavy stuff to lug around. I imagine they make some kind of fire retardant coating that you could apply. Search the net. They also make fire rated drywall mud to seal up everything. The biggest concern is to be sure everything is draft free. Stagger joints. No air to feed any fire.

still afloat | 03-14-2010 11:18 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Possibly using a layer of cement board on the outside of the 2 layers of 5/8" Gypsum board . As mentioned above a coating of fire resistant paint should help as well. http://www.firefree.com/allProducts.php

Zilver | 03-14-2010 11:24 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/t...818&sequence=1 Fire Resistance Ratings - ANSI/UL 263 See General Information for Fire Resistance Ratings - ANSI/UL 263 Design No. X528 April 22, 2009 Ratings � 1, 2 and 3 Hr. http://database.ul.com/graphics/lis1/ul1651.jpg http://database.ul.com/graphics/lis6/ul6111.jpg 1. Steel Column � Min sizes of W-shaped and tubular steel columns which appear in the AISC Steel Construction Manual as shown under Item 2. 2. Gypsum Board* � For 1 Hr rating, any 5/8 in. or 1/2 in. thick gypsum wallboard Classified for use in fire resistance assemblies. For 2 Hr and 3 Hr ratings, any 5/8 in. or 1/2 in. thick gypsum wallboard Classified for use in other 2 Hr, 3 Hr or 4 Hr Column Designs. Min total thickness of layers in inches for the various ratings and min column sizes are as follows: W Shaped Column Min Column Size Rating (Hr) Corner Details For Various Rating 1 2 3 1 Hr 2 Hr 3 Hr Total thickness (In.) W4x13 1 1-1/2 2-1/4 B C D W6x15.5 1 1-1/2 2-1/4 B C D W10x49 1/2 1-1/8 1-7/8 A B C Tube Shaped columns TS 4 by 4 by0.188 1 1-3/4 2-5/8 B C D TS 8 by 8 by 0.250 5/8 1-1/2 2-1/4 A C D Applied in layers as noted in the above illustrations. Boards are to be applied vertically without horizontal joints. See Gypsum Board (CKNX) category for names of manufacturers. 2A. Gypsum Board* � As an alternate to Item 2- 3/4 in. thick gypsum wallboard. For 2 Hr rating, 1-1/2 in. total thickness, installed in accordance with corner detail B. For 3 Hr rating, 2-1/4 in. total thickness installed in accordance with corner detail C. Boards are to be applied vertically without horizontal joints. CANADIAN GYPSUM COMPANY � Type IP-X3 or ULTRACODE UNITED STATES GYPSUM CO � Type IP-X3 or ULTRACODE USG MEXICO S A DE C V � Type IP-X3 or ULTRACODE 3. Steel Stud � 1-5/8 in. wide with 1-5/16 and 1-7/16 in. legs having a 1/4- in. folded flange, fabricated from No. 25 MSG galv steel. Length to be 1/2 in. less than the assembly height. 3A. As an alternate to Item 3 Steel Framing Members* � galv. steel clips spaced 4 ft OC and 1-1/4 in. from top and bottem of column. A No. 28 MSG galv steel support angle with 1-1/4 in. length shall be placed over clips and secured with screws attaching the wallboard. The angle cut 1 in. less than assembly height splices in angle to occur over clips. The clips for use with wide flange columns only. JOHN WAGNER ASSOCIATES INC, DBA GRABBER � Types CB, CB1Clips. 4. Corner Beads � No. 28 MSG galv steel, 1-1/4 in. legs to be attached to the wallboard with No. 6 by 1 in. screws spaced 12 in. OC max. 5. Tie Wire � No. 18 SWG steel wire spaced 24 in. OC used with second layer of wallboard. 6. Screws � For attaching first layer of wallboard to steel studs, and third layer of wallboard to 2 in. by 2 in. steel angle (25 Ga) to be No. 6 by 1 in. (or 1-1/4 in. for 3/4 in. thick wallboard) Phillips head self-drilling, self-tapping double lead screws spaced 24 in. OC For attaching second layer of wallboard to steel studs and fourth layer of wallboard to 2 in. by 2 in. steel angle (25 Ga) to be No. 6 by 1-3/4 in. (or 2-1/4 in. for 3/4 in. thick wallboard) steel screws of the same type spaced 12 in. OC For attaching third layer of wallboard to steel studs to be No. 8 by 2-1/4 in. screws of the same type spaced 12 in. OC 7. Finishing System � (Not Shown) � Joint compound applied over corner beads to a thickness of 1/16 in. *Bearing the UL Classification Mark

CrufflerJJ | 03-15-2010 10:27 AM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Something else to consider beyond "fire resistance" is the maximum time/temperature to which you would be willing to expose your preps. By this, I mean that if paper burns at 450 F (to pick a number), "fireproof" safes may allow the contents to get up to 300-400 F. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want my stuff to get that hot for hours. Before focusing on a fireproof prep storage room, what about having a monitored smoke/burglar/fire alarm system for your home?

TTAZZMAN | 03-15-2010 12:30 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof What Zilver posted is correct except the drawings might be miss-understood he is showing corner columns.....it needs to be understood that the drywall needs to be on ALL sides of any structural member to fuction as a rated firewall in general the following is true 1 layer of 5/8 sheet rock on BOTH sides of a metal stud wall is a 1hr wall.....2 layers of 5/8 sr on BOTH sides of the wall is 2hr.....etc a 8" masonry filled block wall is considered to be a 3hr firewall 12"=4hr in general the cheapest most flexible way to get fire proofing is using sheet rock in multiple taped layers, most fire proofing in safes is sheet rock products other fire proofing materials could include ....cement board....fire retardant insulation.....fire retardant lumber (woods and plywoods).......concrete....etc a major consideration in any fireproofing process is fireproofing things like.....cracks..crevices..conduits..doorways..win dows..etc...and for these things there are a multitude of fire caulks..tapes..fire rated doors...etc one of the major concepts of fire proofing is to fireproof structural members so they dont burn or bend falling down thus ruining your fire retardant envelope

nickelless | 03-15-2010 01:40 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by CrufflerJJ (Post 2227277) Something else to consider beyond "fire resistance" is the maximum time/temperature to which you would be willing to expose your preps. By this, I mean that if paper burns at 450 F (to pick a number), "fireproof" safes may allow the contents to get up to 300-400 F. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want my stuff to get that hot for hours. Before focusing on a fireproof prep storage room, what about having a monitored smoke/burglar/fire alarm system for your home?
I've got those things taken care of, but I'm just wanting to make sure my preps are safe as well. But if there should be a fire while nobody is home, I'd hate to see my preps literally go up in smoke.

Tn...Andy | 03-15-2010 04:53 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof That's why you don't put all your eggs in one basket....some in the basement, some here, some there, some in out buildings, and so on......some off on other property.....it would take me a week to gather all mine in one pile.......and what a pile it would be..... :biggrin: I'd bet my house could burn down, and this particular little addition would stay under 70 degrees. ( The wood you see was temporary concrete forming ). http://www.digistash.com/data/026a39...3_p125237.jpeg

horseshoe3 | 03-15-2010 05:03 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof The old timers soved this problem a long time ago. Root cellar. Won't burn down. Stays cool in the summer and above freezing in the winter. Ideal for food storage.

nickelless | 03-15-2010 05:15 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by horseshoe3 (Post 2227760) The old timers soved this problem a long time ago. Root cellar. Won't burn down. Stays cool in the summer and above freezing in the winter. Ideal for food storage.
How hard is it to build a root cellar without the neighbors noticing? Got a privacy fence around the back yard, but two-story houses on both sides.

TTAZZMAN | 03-15-2010 05:42 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Quote:
Originally Posted by nickelless (Post 2227775) How hard is it to build a root cellar without the neighbors noticing? Got a privacy fence around the back yard, but two-story houses on both sides.
Its all in what you call it...... some thoughts call it a storm shelter build a shed with a basement buy a precast concrete storm shelter and bury it etc

Saul Mine | 03-15-2010 09:57 PM
Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof Use junk refrigerators. Any fireman will tell you that everything in a refrigerator always survives a fire.

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:43 AM. |

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright = None use it and Link to GIM