514 lb safe on the second floor? (Read 10464 times)

dustoff003

514 lb safe on the second floor?
« on: September 12, 2014, 11:30:57 AM »
I am wanting to put a 514 pound (empty) gun safe on my second floor, should I worry does it not sound like a good idea? It will be in the corner of the house my floor joists are 24" centers so it will catch the first one and the corner should take the rest of the load. I am debating putting a piece of 3/4" plywood down first covering the entire floor of the room in question to distribute the weight further, would that help? The first floor has no good locations and I do not want to put the safe in the garage. The home is of very recent construction. Here is a picture or the corner in question from below looking up, not of my home though mine is completedI asked the builder to see if they could let me know the designed load rating for the floor but I have yet to hear back from them. Safe dimensions are 24x18 so that's 3 sq ft empty weight would be 171 lbs per sq ft. Any structural guys or architects here?
« Last Edit: September 12, 2014, 02:16:38 PM by dustoff003 »

SpeedTek

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2014, 12:24:24 PM »
NOPE your floor not strong enough you need to distribute the load better.
Political Correctness is FOS
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dustoff003

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2014, 12:37:16 PM »

NOPE your floor not strong enough you need to distribute the load better.
fo real? We could go stand in the corner and load test it, if we end up downstairs then we know.

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2014, 12:48:12 PM »
Just gotta add some wood.  I dont like that plywood in there
Political Correctness is FOS
I collect M1 Carbines, PM me if youre selling!
& Bolt Action 308s also 10/22 Rugers.
Buying STOCK Ruger 10/22 parts and bits, PM me.
Now doing Vintage VW Parts!

Lihikai

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2014, 01:57:04 PM »
Since you have access from underneath, reinforcing the floor would be easiest.  If you know that you'll be bolting the safe to the floor, you can place your cross members to align with the bolts.  Take lots of pictures and video at every stage of construction - it'll come in handy later on.

Here's another type of safe to consider for other areas of your home since your walls are open:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0040HS3QW/?tag=2ahawaii-20

dustoff003

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2014, 02:15:29 PM »

Since you have access from underneath, reinforcing the floor would be easiest.  If you know that you'll be bolting the safe to the floor, you can place your cross members to align with the bolts.  Take lots of pictures and video at every stage of construction - it'll come in handy later on.

Here's another type of safe to consider for other areas of your home since your walls are open:  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0040HS3QW/?tag=2ahawaii-20

Sorry I forgot to mention that the pic was of another home that is the same plan as mine in my neighborhood not actually of my home. My home is completed and drywalled already.

Thanks for the lead on the other safe but I am mostly needing to store long guns.

dustoff003

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2014, 08:22:33 AM »
Here is a pic of the corner structure on the first floor, this is not my home

Bigkahuna808

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2014, 10:18:31 AM »
I wouldn't do it..im assuming your trying to put it in your 2nd floor bedroom?  How much weight is gonna be added with firearms and other stuff loaded over time.  I can see easily adding another 200 lbs of stuff if the safe is large enough.  Combine that with ur weight person weight in the corner u could be talking a load of 1000 lbs in a concentrated point.
Id stay safe and keep it on the ground floor.

GreenStomper

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #8 on: September 13, 2014, 10:27:29 AM »
Keep big safe on 1st floor, bolted down in a corner.
Maybe a small safe up stairs, or a lock box
God, guns, and guts made America. Let's keep all three!

hepcat96821

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #9 on: September 13, 2014, 11:49:37 AM »
Im not an architect, but I am a carpenter, and have worked with these joists and floors for many years.  Those look like truss joists.  If the joists are 2' on center, odds are the plywood subfloor is 1 1/4 inches thick to make up for the span.  It is a very solid floor, but not designed for heavy weight in one location, (think of an elephant in high heels analogy) the weight needs to be spread out.    The corner will more then likely hold due to its proximity, but the only thing that will be truly supported in the corner are the walls.  You have two options. If you must mount the safe on the second floor, the first floor ceiling would need to be cut, then the corner can be supported directly down to the top of the first floor walls, and you can add support under the front of the safe as well.  The drywall that has been removed, needs to be reinstalled with backing, then it has to be taped, and covered in drywall mud, reprimed, and re sprayed.  The cost could be somewhere between $500-750 range.  Or option number two, spend about $20-100 depending on how you choose to mount it, and anchor it to the concrete floor. 

hepcat96821

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #10 on: September 13, 2014, 11:53:22 AM »
And the plywood you see in between the joists is part of the joist blocking, and is added there to assist in insulation, and actually is part of a tax write off for the contractor for making "green homes."

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2014, 03:20:28 PM »
I emailed my friend who is an Architect.

The other expert in our building said its gonna sag over time
Political Correctness is FOS
I collect M1 Carbines, PM me if youre selling!
& Bolt Action 308s also 10/22 Rugers.
Buying STOCK Ruger 10/22 parts and bits, PM me.
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macsak

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2014, 03:39:02 PM »
The other expert in our building said its gonna sag over time

are we still talking about construction?

talula

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2014, 04:04:45 PM »

The other expert in our building said its gonna sag over time
He talking about my wife again  :wacko:
Me I not worried I get Viagra.  ;)
Every ones a good person. You just might be catching them in a bad time of their life.

SpeedTek

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Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2014, 04:05:17 PM »
Haahha
Political Correctness is FOS
I collect M1 Carbines, PM me if youre selling!
& Bolt Action 308s also 10/22 Rugers.
Buying STOCK Ruger 10/22 parts and bits, PM me.
Now doing Vintage VW Parts!

Kanakamaoli23

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #15 on: September 13, 2014, 06:01:45 PM »
Another option if you just have to have it upstairs would be to open up the drywall and add bracing between the two floor joists. If you cut your drywall straight with a multitool, the piece should go back without problem. Everything could be done on your own. Maybe only have to hire a taper to come by and tape and re texture the Ceiling.

korupt

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2014, 07:57:06 PM »
oh yeah hey is that strong enough

dustoff003

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #17 on: September 14, 2014, 07:59:26 AM »

I wouldn't do it..im assuming your trying to put it in your 2nd floor bedroom?  How much weight is gonna be added with firearms and other stuff loaded over time.  I can see easily adding another 200 lbs of stuff if the safe is large enough.  Combine that with ur weight person weight in the corner u could be talking a load of 1000 lbs in a concentrated point.
Id stay safe and keep it on the ground floor.

2nd floor room in the corner of the home. I was not planning on putting much other that firearms in there to keep the total weight below 600 lbs. Ground floor got it thanks.

Keep big safe on 1st floor, bolted down in a corner.
Maybe a small safe up stairs, or a lock box

Mahalo Fred

Im not an architect, but I am a carpenter, and have worked with these joists and floors for many years.  Those look like truss joists.  If the joists are 2' on center, odds are the plywood subfloor is 1 1/4 inches thick to make up for the span.  It is a very solid floor, but not designed for heavy weight in one location, (think of an elephant in high heels analogy) the weight needs to be spread out.    The corner will more then likely hold due to its proximity, but the only thing that will be truly supported in the corner are the walls.  You have two options. If you must mount the safe on the second floor, the first floor ceiling would need to be cut, then the corner can be supported directly down to the top of the first floor walls, and you can add support under the front of the safe as well.  The drywall that has been removed, needs to be reinstalled with backing, then it has to be taped, and covered in drywall mud, reprimed, and re sprayed.  The cost could be somewhere between $500-750 range.  Or option number two, spend about $20-100 depending on how you choose to mount it, and anchor it to the concrete floor.
And the plywood you see in between the joists is part of the joist blocking, and is added there to assist in insulation, and actually is part of a tax write off for the contractor for making "green homes."

yes sir trusjoists they are thanks for your insight and recommendation.

I emailed my friend who is an Architect.

The other expert in our building said its gonna sag over time
thanks Dex

are we still talking about construction?
I was wondering the same thing....

He talking about my wife again  :wacko:
Me I not worried I get Viagra.  ;)
TMI Jon...

Another option if you just have to have it upstairs would be to open up the drywall and add bracing between the two floor joists. If you cut your drywall straight with a multitool, the piece should go back without problem. Everything could be done on your own. Maybe only have to hire a taper to come by and tape and re texture the Ceiling.
thanks KM

oh yeah hey is that strong enough
Dunno that's why I was asking.

dustoff003

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #18 on: September 14, 2014, 08:02:59 AM »
Thanks everybody I got it if I were to get a safe it would be best on the first floor. I will no longer need a safe though whatever I did have to go inside it was lost yesterday in a tragic boating accident.

talula

Re: 514 lb safe on the second floor?
« Reply #19 on: September 14, 2014, 09:02:06 AM »
Dam boats.  :rofl:
Every ones a good person. You just might be catching them in a bad time of their life.