
                                                             
 From : Dave        Wed 11 Aug 93 13:47 
                                                           
 Subj : Safe Room                                                               


JM> DS> I'm trying to find sources of information (books/magazines) on the
JM> DS> construction of safe rooms (i.e. bedroom hardened against intruders to
JM> DS> which the homeowner retreats).  I'm especially interested in specific
JM> DS> procedures for hardening the door.  I have a typical paneled hollow-cor
JM> DS> door and I know I need to replace the door, but what do I do to strengh
JM> DS> the doorframe, etc?  Any help appreciated! --- MacWoof Eval:07Dec92

Down here in Hurricane land we have a different meaning of "safe room"
but I know what you mean. As John has indicated the "steel clad" doors
are the first step. I have seen doors that also have a lever <about 18"

long> that when turned extend rods on all 4 sides into plates in the jam

that secure the door like a bank vault. I think if you sift thru the ads
in survival publications you might even find a ready made door to fit
your jam. Cheaper to build it yourself though.

JM>Watch the newspapers for information on the door construction in "crack
JM>houses".  They are typically steel reinforced.

Good Point. Add a vault type locking system and you have an
impeniterable door.




Hello, Dale!

In a message to All <08 Aug 93 18:27> Dale Stancil enscribed:

 DS> I'm trying to find sources of information (books/magazines) on
 DS> the construction of safe rooms (i.e. bedroom hardened against
 DS> intruders to which the homeowner retreats).  I'm especially
 DS> interested in specific procedures for hardening the door.  I have
 DS> a typical paneled hollow-core door and I know I need to replace
 DS> the door, but what do I do to strenghen the doorframe, etc?  Any
 DS> help appreciated!


Stop in a locksmiths and ask for one of their magazines. It should
have the companies you are looking for. Or ask for a catalog.
Especially those in stores in bad neighborhoods. If you visit a locksmith
get the names of the manufacturer's of the products their. Then dial
1-800-555-1212 (800 directory assist) and see if they have an 800 number, call
and ask for a catalog.

I've not seen the price of Lexan lately...but I did see a home with it
on ALL of the windows and doors. About 1/2" thick. This homeowner's
stuborn, he lives in one of the worst war zones in Indianapolis, IN.

It stopped a couple of intruders armed with baseball bats. As facing on
a door, it should be light, but manageable. It stops a .38 cal as well.
A solid wood door is a must, it should open in to the room. Get or make
a tight fitting inner bar for it. Should be able to get the door with the frame
it needs.

As a window, the old Lexan stuff is awful, it becoms cloudy with exposure
to sunlight. Ok if you like privacy. His had turned a rude yellow
grungy color. He did not have any more trouble with intruders though.

You could take a page from the movie burgler, and put in a 1/4" inner and outer
plate door. With locking T-bar to a steel plate in the floor. :)

I've seen 1/8" steel doors, with frames. Very pricy.

James

---

                                                    
 From : Jim      Mon 16 Aug 93 10:55 
                                                   
 Subj : Safe Room                                                               


 JP> I've not seen the price of Lexan lately...but I did see a home with it
 JP> on ALL of the windows and doors. About 1/2" thick. This homeowner's
 JP> stuborn, he lives in one of the worst war zones in Indianapolis, IN.


Now that's a neat idea -:)

 JP> It stopped a couple of intruders armed with baseball bats. As facing on
 JP> a door, it should be light, but manageable. It stops a .38 cal as well.

I saw a demo on Lexan at a convention once.  3/8" stopped three 44 Mag rounds
fired at 20 feet...

However, being it's plastic, you can take a Weller's Pyropen and cut it like
butter -:)




Hello, Jim!

In a message to James P.caldwell <16 Aug 93 10:55> Jim Watson enscribed:

 {Lexan on windows ect.}

 JW> Now that's a neat idea -:)

He has only one problem, the walls can be shot through.
A bolt hole coud be important, a hidden
comfortable room, sound proofed could be helpful.
Cheaper to armor anyway.

 JW> I saw a demo on Lexan at a convention once.  3/8" stopped three
 JW> 44 Mag rounds fired at 20 feet...

I looked for some, it's available at a specialty glass shop here. Did'nt
get a price. I'm looking at getting some of the better, UV protected stuff.
Doesn't get cloudy and is easy to clean.

 JW> However, being it's plastic, you can take a Weller's Pyropen and
 JW> cut it like butter -:)

I think Weller has one of the BEST butane fueled hot tools on the market,
the tips last at least one year with daily use. Those cheaper plastic ones
(Portasol) burn up tips every week or two. Get the big one not the Jr. unless
you need the Jr. for light soldering, it's got too much plastic. And is more
expensive to boot. I've used both and they are good tools, put no
force on the Jr. the plastic in it will crack.

For those using it for Surv stuff, Weller sells all the spare parts
you can afford. There are a variety of tips for the Sr. from plastic
cutting to wood burning. The hot air tip for the Sr. will strip paint in
small sections, and will solder (sweat) small copper pipe. And is smaller
than a standard propane torch.

James


