Thread: fixing gun safe to walls

hello, just looking for advice from people who have recently had safe inspected.

I have read the firearms safety storage guide.

"The cabinet should be fixed to the building on two surfaces with at least 6mm fasteners and fastened to a rigid surface or support such as concrete, brick or through plaster board to a stud or dwang. Fasteners of 6mm x 75mm long will ensure at least 50mm of thread is engaged in the rigid support. Use heavy gauge ‘coach’ screws anchored by at least 50mm and a large washer placed under each coach screw head into the framing. If secured into concrete, use similar gauge chemical or expanding bolts. Floor fixing to a wooden floor to be completely through the floor. The bolts should have a stout backing plate or sufficiently large washers to prevent them from being pulled through the floor."

being fixed on two surfaces can that be in the corner of the room to studs in the two walls? As I am in a rental and would rather not bolt through the floor boards.

thanks

Yes you can, but might be difficult finding the studs in the right spot.
Any two sides of it.
I went with big bolts, M12 100mm jobies and the inspector was stoked.

Best to add a couple of extra bolts/ coach screws/ teks or what ever and over do it . More is better

Yep in a modern house dwangs should be 800mm from the floor, note I said should but of course their can be exceptions to this.

If done carefully you can fix through carpet and hardly leave a mark,might also pay to talk to the landlord as some will not allow such big fixings, my step sons place he can't have a safe at home as the landlord said he can't.

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Yep in a modern house dwangs should be 800mm from the floor, note I said should but of course their can be exceptions to this.

If done carefully you can fix through carpet and hardly leave a mark,might also pay to talk to the landlord as some will not allow such big fixings, my step sons place he can't have a safe at home as the landlord said he can't.

I had an inspector tell me you don't need to ask permission from a landlord, as they should have no business knowing you have firearms anyway, and as best practice put it in the roof space if possible so they won't ever know unless they go up there to fix something.
I guess it depends on the situation though. I always choose to do things above board and be honest and upfront.

Don't take tenancy advise from your gunsafe inspector. I have been a landlord and if anyone fixed a gunsafe like this to my property without getting permission there would be trouble. You will be paying to repair the damage and lose your bond.

Originally Posted by BushChook

I had an inspector tell me you don't need to ask permission from a landlord, as they should have no business knowing you have firearms anyway, and as best practice put it in the roof space if possible so they won't ever know unless they go up there to fix something.
I guess it depends on the situation though. I always choose to do things above board and be honest and upfront.

I would be careful placing a safe, firearms, and ammo in a ceiling space. A very volatile climate to place them in, with huge temperature variations (specifically far too hot).

Thanks for the reply’s. It’s my mother in laws place so she is fine with me fitting it. And I’m a builder so not stressed about finding the fixings in the walls. It’s just I have recently fitted oak floor boards and don’t intend to be living there for all that long so would rather not put holes in them. Cheers.

Originally Posted by JoelA

I would be careful placing a safe, firearms, and ammo in a ceiling space. A very volatile climate to place them in, with huge temperature variations (specifically far too hot).

The inspector was a volunteer firefighter who did mention that.
Firearms are fine, but ammo box to be kept elsewhere.
I've never had a landlord climb into the attic in a house inspection, but personally I wouldn't be doing anything without an OK first.

Three of my mates have moved in recent times, and none were physically checked (no visit at all). One was asked to send through some photos of safe installed

Originally Posted by Tommy

Three of my mates have moved in recent times, and none were physically checked (no visit at all). One was asked to send through some photos of safe installed

My safe at home has 4 concrete anchor bolts and 6 125mm bugle screws going into the stud. Because we spend a shit load of time on the Coast it was deemed that I would need gun security there (I should have just said we spend little time there), anyway...the chick doing the inspection said to just fix a gun rack and take photos to send in. She said she'll push it past her boss and if he's happy then they won't send a cop down to inspect it. The photo's worked ��.

As far as I was aware under the current settings a tenant can fit a security device, it just has to be a proficient job without any damage and needs to be restored back at the end of the tenancy. But it's just a common courtesy thing to discuss and get permission for it to be installed prior...

Originally Posted by BushChook

I had an inspector tell me you don't need to ask permission from a landlord, as they should have no business knowing you have firearms anyway, and as best practice put it in the roof space if possible so they won't ever know unless they go up there to fix something.
I guess it depends on the situation though. I always choose to do things above board and be honest and upfront.

That is completely wrong. No tenant has to the legal right to affix permanent fittings without a landlords consent. Just plain stupid.

Originally Posted by TeRei

That is completely wrong. No tenant has to the legal right to affix permanent fittings without a landlords consent. Just plain stupid.

It's not permanent - that was the cause of the recent changes to free up what tenants could install in a house in terms of pictures, shelf and display items and the recent policy settings on tenant's rights did adjust a lot of what the tenant could do without requiring consultation. It would pay to find out what the new rules are and if any of that has been wound back recently with the new Govt...

Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Yep in a modern house dwangs should be 800mm from the floor, note I said should but of course their can be exceptions to this.

If done carefully you can fix through carpet and hardly leave a mark,might also pay to talk to the landlord as some will not allow such big fixings, my step sons place he can't have a safe at home as the landlord said he can't.

Using a drill through carpet can pick up a thread and make a looong run in a fraction of a second (how do I know ?)
Perhaps make a caereful X cut through the full carpet and udderlay with a knife first and then hold it out of the way as you start the drill.