Things to consider when planning safe room in your house read more
11 Points to Consider when Planning for a Safe Room in Your House.
What are basic the function of a house? Shelter against external weather elements like cold, heat, rain, sun etc.A house also provides privacy and security against people who want to either steel your property or harm your family.
This article is about security of your family members specifically inside house, what happens when the thugs are determined to enter your house. What measure should you have in place to safeguard you and you family?
A Safe Room is strong and fortified room in a house designed to protect you against people who want to harm you and your family. It’s designed to keep you safe as you wait for help to arrive. A safe room can be selected from any of the existing bedroom, especially if it is an afterthought i.e. in an already designed and built house. A safe room can also be included at thedesign stage of the house; this is the best option as the final room blends well with other rooms. With the safe room, the few people know about it the better…You have the option of telling the architect about the safe room at the design stage, it can be labeled as a bedroom, storage room etc.As the owner of the house you have the option of not mentioning the final use to yourarchitect. The construction team will construct and complete the project hand over the key to you and then you look for security expert to advice and help you secure the house. You can also build the safe room yourself with workers from another far town. We know most of domestic robberies are done with help from inside the house. If you use a security firm to design and build your safe house, then insist on privacy and confidentiality agreement to secure the safe room.
Factors to consider when building a safe room.
The wall, should be very strong to resist fire for at least 4 hours; it should also withstand gun fire. A wall made of concrete, or double masonry wall can be used for walling the safe room.In case of fire, it should prevent smoke from permeating the safe-room.Meaning the door should be airtight. The wall can be built up to and touching the roof, with a ventilation window up on roof.
The door, of the safe room should be strong enough to resist gunfire or brute force. The door can be made of solid steel or solid concrete. The door should be hidden behind a wall unit or cupboard to confuse the intruder.
Door lock. Get a door lock that can only be operated from inside the safe-room, that way the intrude cannot open from outside.
The room should be windowless, this also reduces the weak points in the house and also it makes it very difficult for intruder or anybody to locate or position the room.A 10feet by10feet floor area can provide sufficient air for ten people and prevent carbon dioxide build up for up to five hours, so even without window or external air supply you can still survive. To be more comfortable you can build an air vent leading to a secret external point, that way you get supply of air from outside.
The room should be windowless, this also reduces the weak points in the house and also it makes it very difficult for intruder or anybody to locate or position the room.A 10feet by10feet floor area can provide sufficient air for ten people and prevent carbon dioxide build up for up to five hours, so even without window or external air supply you can still survive. To be more comfortable you can build an air vent leading to a secret external point, that way you get supply of air from outside.
Sound. The safe-room should be sound proof; this can allow you to call for help silently.
Power back up. The safe room should have its own power back just in case the invaders disconnect the main power line.
Phone.In most cases when invaders strike, there is always panic and in most cases, you may run to the safe room without your mobile phone. Have a functioning mobile or landline in the safe room always. Check the phone to make sure its always in good working condition, the battery has charge and the network coverage is good in there.
Camera, You can hide CCTV camera in your house and have the control room in your safe-room, that way you can be able to see what the invaders are doing, that gives you much control of the situation.
First aid Kit. You maybe hurt or injured before accessing the safe room, if you manage to enter the safe room, then you will need first aid.
Food-supply.Because you don’t know the duration of your stay in the safe room, it may be important to have enough food and water supply in the safe room.
Secret access. Depending on the design, the safe room can have a secret door leading out of the main house, through a tunnel, this is very important in extreme cases.
Safety equipments. You must have functioning fire extinguisher, toolbox with basic tools. As human beings we must do our best to protect ourselves, the rest leave God,He is able.
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