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Antique Safes/Vault Door Removal

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Expert: - 4/18/2009


Question
There is 2 old walk in Vaults in a building that is now being used as a church and Daycare. The vaults are now being used as storage. We are concerned about the possibility of children wandering in there and becoming trapped. What is the cost of removing a Vault Door?

Answer
Teri,

First off, the vaults are not designed to be closed and locked from the inside.  In 37 years of work, I'm only aware of one actual case of someone being trapped in a vault, and the only reason he could not release himself, was because he was a non-english speaking, illegal imigrant, working for a restraunt. he had the mechanical apptitude of a rock.  Someone closed thd door behind him as a joke not realizing there was no combination.  So this was not an "accidental" occurance.  That being said I would be more concerned with the potential of injury than entrapment.  Quit watching movies!!!!

Next, you have a couple of options, the first being securing the doors in an open position.  This could be as simple as installing or anchoring a piece of angle iron to the floor on each side of the door so that it can not move.  This is probably the cheapest and quickest method.
Second option would be to remove the locking mechanicsm to preclude the door from being locked.  The door could be shut, in order to continue to use it for storage, but it could not be locked or secured.
Last, and most expensive is removal of the doors, normally I need to see the problem to give you a price.  Without knowing what types of doors that you have or how they are secured, I have to make certain assumptions.  If the doors are fire vault doors, and not grouted in, you would be looking at about 3-4 hours per door, two men and equipment required and a vehicle to bring the equipment and remove the door.  You would be looking at around $2000-$2500.
If the doors are regular bank vault doors and are grouted in, you could easily be looking at 1-2 days per door, with equipment and a large enough truck, plus possibly a crane or forklift. you could easily be looking at $6000-$10,000 for the removal.
Note 1:  The above estimates don't include disposal of the doors if required.
Note 2:  Fees vary accross the country and from shop to shop.  With out actually visiting the job site and observing the two doors, any estimates are speculation only, based on the above listed assumptions.  City permits for building alterations or construction/demolition may also be required depending on where you are.

If the building is being leased or rented, you may want to discuss the doors with the building owner.  It may be their responsibility.

If you need more information, referals, or if you have "specific" questions, feel free to contact me.

Andy  

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Terry V Andreasen (Andy)

Expertise

Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.

Experience

40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute. Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

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