Update:
Got this reply from the Prosteel guys, makers of Browning safes, and Vault doors:
“I spoke with my engineers today. You can put a mechanical lock on the
vault door, however, in order for the door to be locked, the bolts in
the door must be extended and the dial on the lock has to be turned.
Simple answer, no, you cannot lock the vault door from the inside when
using a mechanical lock.”
Since they advertise this as a potential panic room/storm shelter door, it’s kind of puzzling that you can lock it from the inside. From the ProSteel site:
“Designed for both commercial and residential applications, the ProSteel Ultra Vault Door provides the ultimate in security and protection. With the Ultra Vault Door, you can turn a room into a vault, security room, home safe or panic room.”
I did some research and figured out exactly what I was looking for, which is primarily a storm/tornado door that would double as a vault door. I’ve already got a large safe that will be inside the vault for the high-dollar guns.
I decided to go with a vault door from the Sturdy Safe company:
http://www.sturdysafe.com/vaultdoor.htm
with some upgrades such as fire lining, panic button, in-swing opening, stainless steel upgrade and keyed lock. Should be delivered in about 5 weeks and I’ll post an update once it’s installed. Between this, the 8” poured concrete with rebar reinforcement, secondary safe, and alarm system, we should be “OK”.
Chuck