Ballistic vault door buying tips

Here at Brown Safe Mfg, we pride ourselves in building safes and vaults that can withstand attack, be easily repaired, and continue to faithfully serve our clients; thus, providing long term savings and conserving resources. Use the following tips when looking to purchase a vault door to better ensure the security of your important possessions.

•  Always check that the vault door has a U.L. Group 2 lock or better. The three dependable lock manufacturers are LaGard, Sargent & Greenleaf, and Kaba Mas. The last thing you want are your most valued items locked in a vault with a malfunctioning lock.

•  It is important that the vault door has a minimum of a ½” thick solid steel door (beware if the safe manufacturer doesn’t state solid steel or lists ‘composite’ as this can be anything from sheet metal wrapped around wood to sheet metal and drywall.) Steel is expensive and many manufactures cut costs by making their vault doors with thin sheet metal.
  
  
• Consider convenience: if you don’t make the vault door convenient you are less likely to use it. Adding an electronic lock can make opening the vault door quick and easy, as well as enabling the user to easily reset the combination when needed (without the aid of a locksmith.)

•  All vault doors should have relockers to help ensure the vault remains locked in the case of a burglary. Relockers are hardened pins that are triggered, in a variety of ways during an attack, and cannot be retracted without hours of drilling. Vault doors should have at least 4 relockers.

•  If a standard vault door doesn’t fit your needs, consider a custom door. Custom sizes, finishes, and interiors are available. We can work with you and/or your facility security department, architects, and contractors to ensure your custom vault door is built to the exact specifications needed.

Common Construction Types:

1. Concrete Block: Concrete block is usually the least expensive construction method. Block size of 8” or greater is recommended to ensure adequate security.
2. Poured in place: Manufactured by building concrete forms inside and out, then pouring concrete. High PSI concrete is recommended for added security.
3. Modular concrete panels: Pre-fabricated concrete panels utilizing high strength concrete are purchased and shipped to the jobsite where they are then assembled into a 5 or 6 sided room. Panels are typically 8’H x 2-4’W
4. Steel construction: Vault room is constructed of solid steel. Usually a minimum of ½” thick hot rolled armor plate steel recommended.

Construction Suggestions:

1. Rebar:
   • Recommended to use at least ½” diameter carbon steel rebar.
   • Vault rooms constructed with concrete block should have rebar placed in every cell vertically and horizontally and poured solid with concrete.
   • Vault rooms made by poured in place construction should have 1-2 curtains of rebar on staggered 8” centers. This will provide a vault with no hole or opening larger than 4”.
     
2. Type of concrete: (for poured in place vault rooms)
   • High strength concrete, with a minimum of 3000-6000 PSI, is recommended.
     Ideally concrete should be 5000-6000 PSI for added strength.
   • Steel chaff can be added for increased burglary protection, but will decrease
   • overall fire protection of the vault.
     
3. Floor and ceiling:
   • Construction thickness and specifications should be equal to vault walls.
4. Ventilation:
1. Ducting should be rebar obstructed and of a narrow rectangular shape.
5. Door opening:
   • When constructing vault room it is important to keep door opening as square and true as possible for ease of vault door installation.
6. Accessories:
   • Emergency lighting and ventilation are recommended for all vault rooms.