I've often wondered how many of these homes in CA that burn would be saved by a cistern, a gas water pump, Hardiplank or stucco walls and tiles or steel on the roof?
A temperature-actuated, or remotely-controlled sprinkler system would be another option.
The way things are going these days, a couple of 40 foot high cube containers built into a hillside looks better all the time: temperate, secureable, low visibility, and very unlikely not to survive wildfires.
And best of all, cheap.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Here are some videos of safe openings after a fire
Veteran US Navy Seabees - US Army Corps of Engineers - American Legion Post 0867
" Only two defining forces have offered to die for me. 1.) Jesus Christ 2.) The American G.I. "One died for your soul, the other for your freedom! "
Thank you for the update. A friend of mine lost his father's LA Sheriffs service revolver and the LE No. 1 Mk. III his dad brought back from WWII in a fire about 5-6 years ago in Ventura. It was very sad. I am glad you are safe and saved your collection (it sounds like a good one!).
The safes did pretty well, but could have done better, especially for rust damage, if the doors sealed completely and there was a way to keep water from running down the door seams. A small pressure release valve in the bottom would keep the expanding air inside from pushing on the door seals. No reason by the makers can't fit a one-piece compressible, waterproof door gasket.
If an inch or two of concrete does that much, even in a steel casing, a single-thickness stack of fire bricks or a few inches of rock wool insulation would be pretty useful too.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Mine doesn't open until 9:00 am. I was at the storage at 8:45 with my first load. But yeah, the return trip will be u-Haul and if my son wants any of this when I'm gone, I'll have some help too. That safe video usabaker posted was eye opening. What kind of person keeps guitars and not guns in a gun safe? Probably someone with really expensive guitars I guess. As I'm post divorce, I'm a renter now. Judge said so. House sold for so much even splitting it with an evil banshee wasn't so painful. Real estate is crazy. But the point being I did think of a couple of ways to soak the house, but how long I could keep such a system running with these infernos, kinda fire tornados has me scratching my head. And technically it's not my house. Probably just easier to move. Especially now that all the heavy stuff is out. I'd go eastward, but dang everyone I know is here and my kids and I love my job...alot to ponder.
Thanks for all the well wishes too. Doesn't seem like that would help, but it does.
I have a lot more experience than expertise, still have both eyes and most of my fingers though.
Pleased to hear that you found a practical solution for your collection. I thought maybe burying it all in metal cases three feet below the surface might be a solution; but you'd need a digger to make the hole.
I guess rented storage is a better option!
Breaks my heart to see all this going on. Maybe its a time to invent a truly fireproof safe from fire and whats inside.
I have seen so called fireproof safes with very important documents inside burnt to a frazzle, so I really was encouraged to see plastized weapons coming out of those safes in a usuable condition.
Good luck to all of you living in those regions and wish you all the luck in the world.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
One thing that could help would be to buy some bundles of fire resistant batt insulation. Before you bug out, pack the insulation around the safes. When I was 13, we had our double wide trailer burn to the ground. The last part to burn was the master bedroom. The only things to survive were some pictures in the middle of a packed tall file cabinet and a small silk purse (that
my grandpa gave my grandma) in the center drawer of a large dresser.
PM
Originally Posted by emmagee1917
