Inexpensive Fire-resistant Gun Storage

[ks_shooter]

I am looking for a "thrifty" way to store my guns that will be reasonably safe from fire damage. I am not that concerned with theft protection because of the area I live in. I do need it to be secure from children. I currently have an inexpensive sheet metal gun cabinet. It is secure enough to keep kids out, but not fire-resistant in the least. I have a large basement and was thinking of building something out of concrete against one of the basement walls. I would think that concrete would protect from fire better than a typical insulated steel gun safe and be fairly cheap to build. Any thoughts on how thick the walls would need to be to protect from fire? What kind of door should I put on it? I don't need a vault door, and don't want to pay for one. Is there a fire resistant door that I could use to secure this type of storage area?

 

[Lord Grey Boots]

I have heard some recommendations to use an old non-functioning freezer. Don't know if the fire resistance is really as good as claimed though.

 

[Black Snowman]

I've also heard that sheet-rock makes good budget fire-retardant material. Might be able to add it to your existing cabinet and cover it with something prettier.

 

[MessedUpMike]

According to IBC (Iternational Building Code) 2 layers of 5/8 drywall is 2 hour rated fire expoursure protection. Of course that's in a lab under test conditions with a constant fire load of "x". By the time you built one out of cinderblock and had it insulated right you might as well go by the dern safe to begin with.

 

[CWL]

Many safe companies will sell the door for custom build-ins.

My guess is that a devastating fire will result in the house collapsing into the basement where temperatures might remain hottest for the longest. Calculate extended temperatures (days?) as well as water resistence into your build design.

 

[swingset]

Good insurance is fireproof.

 

[MessedUpMike]

A residential fire sprimkler system can be had for around $5000.00 and protects the whole house. All you have to be is smart enough to know how to turn the water off after the fire is out.