Gun safes in your house

[washelkhntr]

I am going to add a new gun safe, but a smaller one then what I already have, it weighs in at just under 500 lbs. Would it be alright to put in in the house on the downstairs floor without having to get into the crawl space and reinforce the floor under where I want to put the safe?

I am not a construction guy, so I really have no idea how much weight a standard floor would even hold. Last thing I want is it falling through the floor or screwing up the flooring somehow.

My other one is on a concrete slab and I would like to put this one there as well, but I don't have the space for it.

[jdmecomber]

safes make the owner feel better, but you can still be a victim from thiefs. If you have the option  concrete it in and use the tuffest bolts you can find to bolt it to the floor.   

[carpsniperg2]

Remember you have to also add in the weight of the guns Not sure on your question what you would need.

[mkcj]

 Your safe would be about 700 pounds full over about 6-7sq ft that's not that much

[Todd_ID]

Depending on the jurisdiction, and if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure most residential floor joists are sized to provide at least 40 pounds per square foot (psf) of live load (stuff that can move) or 10 psf for dead load (stationary stuff).  A 500 pound safe would need to cover 50 sq ft of floor, so I say stiffen it with a pad and some posts underneath.

[addicted]

Depending on the jurisdiction, and if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure most residential floor joists are sized to provide at least 40 pounds per square foot (psf) of live load (stuff that can move) or 10 psf for dead load (stationary stuff).  A 500 pound safe would need to cover 50 sq ft of floor, so I say stiffen it with a pad and some posts underneath.

ok todd, stand on one foot....... you are now illegal lol

40 pounds per sqft seems kinda light.

[Bofire]

its 40 live and 10 dead, 500 lbs is no problem. 2 guys standing are close to that load. my safe is 3'X3' so 9 square feet, is slightly over loaded but the perscriptive design standards are  over built. The biggest thing is keep your  guns and safe a secret.
Carl

[addicted]

some day i'll build my secret gun room 

[7mag.]

I'm assuming you are going to put it next to the wall. I've never seen a gun safe in the middle of a room. So, you have nothing to worry about. The strength of the floor joist get higher the closer you get to an exterior wall, unless you have post and beam, then you probably have car-decking as well, and that is even better.

I have a 12 gun safe, that I believe, weighs around 800 lbs. empty. I put it in the corner, and there is no worries on my part.

[washelkhntr]

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, it would be going up against a wall in the corner.

[Jamieb]

Never gave it much thought before, I'd sure be pissed if I walked into the giun room and my safe had fallen through the floor.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I'm assuming you are going to put it next to the wall. I've never seen a gun safe in the middle of a room. So, you have nothing to worry about. The strength of the floor joist get higher the closer you get to an exterior wall, unless you have post and beam, then you probably have car-decking as well, and that is even better.

I have a 12 gun safe, that I believe, weighs around 800 lbs. empty. I put it in the corner, and there is no worries on my part.

Being a contractor I would have to agree with this one !

[Bean Counter]

...2 guys standing are close to that load....

  what's going on in the corner over there, Carl? 

[demontang]

Close to the wall and bolted down and I normaly have it sitting across beams in the floor and in between. I throw some lead in the bottom of mine just incase someone can get it out of the floor it will weigh a ton more

[Alchase]

I have my 24 gun safe in our upstairs bedroom. No concerns here. My only concern is if and when I have to move that sucker again. I broke one dolly in between flights bringing up the stairs.
One tip for moving the safe around, get these furnature sliders and put them under the safe. My wife can easily slide the safe around by herself with these under it.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Sliders-Furniture-Set/sim/B0007IQEQ4/2
 
You can find them at almost any store.