Re: Gun safe question
Two things (among many) to consider when installing a safe.
One is that most people only look at structural issues where the safe is being placed. Just as important is the route that the safe takes on it's way through the structure to it's final destination. Not only are you dealing with a moving mass of "dead" weight but more often than not that weight is now concentrated on up to four "pressure points". When the safe is resting in place it is usually setting on a flat, smooth base of some sort, dispersing its considerable weight evenly over a broad surface. While moving it may be on rollers, casters or a cart/handtruck of some sort, concentrating all that weight on a few individual points not always directly over a floor joist or beam. You'd be surprised just how little it takes to punch a caster sized hole through a piece of sub-floor. Not that I've ever done that.
With regard to the second floor, first floor, basement issue. If there was any sort of living space under the position the customer designated for the safe/vault to be set we would respectfully decline. First, we are not structural engineers and would never attest to the integrity or load capacity of a given structure. Way too much liability. Secondly, while the clients and their families/employees were certainly important, my personal issue was that I would not knowingly place emergency personnel or first responders at risk by placing a very large, heavy safe or vault over their heads during a time the floor may be compromised due to fire or earthquake. Most units we installed were at a minimum of 1500 lbs. (small residential units). Even those little guys would leave a helluva mark on some unsuspecting fire fighters head, helmet or not.
Take it or leave it. Just some things to ponder.
