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?

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.

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

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.

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

Thanks for the hour count , I knew it was fire resistant not proof but couldn't remember the length of time.

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?

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

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.

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

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

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?

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

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

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.

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

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.

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

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.

Re: Building or retrofitting storage area to make it fireproof
 

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

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.