I'm going to be installing a safe in a somewhat hidden area in the back of a closet. There will be about 8 inches of space on either side. I was wondering if layering sheetrock/gypsum board in the voids outside the safe on the sides, top, and back would help in fire protection. This would be 10 or 12 layers surrounding the safe except for the front. Would the exposed front side negate any benefit that the insulated other sides provide? If the usual interior gypsum of most safe walls provides fire protection by releasing moisture into the safe to lower internal temperature, would the exterior layers of gypsum be a waste of time. Other than concrete block, do you have any other suggestions for fire protection.
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Gun safe question for a1abdj or other experts
- Thread starter mrgrinch
- Start date
You can wrap the safe in additional layers of gypsum, and it would probably help. Of course I couldn't say if it would help enough to be beneficial. Heat, water, and any other peril will always make its way to the weakest link. In this case, it's the unprotected door.
Also keep in mind, that the safe is using the steel as a flame barrier, and the gypusm as heat insulation. If you place gypsum outside of the safe, it will be exposed directly to the flame, and will act differently than it does inside the safe.
I would suggest either buying a safe that's built to do what you would like it to do on its own without modification. If that's not possible, then I would suggest modifing your idea by using inexpensive fireproof boxes as inserts inside the safe to protect your more vital assets.
Also keep in mind, that the safe is using the steel as a flame barrier, and the gypusm as heat insulation. If you place gypsum outside of the safe, it will be exposed directly to the flame, and will act differently than it does inside the safe.
I would suggest either buying a safe that's built to do what you would like it to do on its own without modification. If that's not possible, then I would suggest modifing your idea by using inexpensive fireproof boxes as inserts inside the safe to protect your more vital assets.
Will not hurt and may help, your avarage sheet rock keeps small fires contained to a room rather well, a sure sign of arson is folks poking holes thorugh it to get fire into walls where it travels very fast. I'd get the best fire safe you can buy and then do this as well if you want and as others have suggested also consider interior fire boxes as well, though if you are like most of us you will fill it quicker than you think and be lookign for a way to get the bulky fire boxes out of there.