Bank Vault

[Lutfi]

We are in the process of designing a new bank building. The bank building will be built to Florida Building Code standards, 2004 edition.

Are there any structural vault standards that need to be followed?

Can you provide me a reference document which identifies such requirements?

Regards,
Lutfi

 

[JStephen]

I would think that surely the bank itself or the federal gov't has standards on vault construction, not from a structural standpoint, but from a security standpoint. And I would think that those standards would not be readily available to the general public for security reasons. Have you gotten anything out of the bank on this?

 

[SperlingPE]

There are requirements for the floors, walls, and ceilings. The last bank that the company I work for did had a 16" cast in place concrete floor with three layers of reinforcing (bars offset 4" in each direction) for security. The vault walls and ceiling were supplied by a vault company. Other construction for the walls and ceiling are possible and the foremost concern is security. Contact a vault company and ask the bank to contact their insurance company.

 

[archeng59]

Based on my experience, there is not a reference of "standard" details for security reasons. Don't want to give criminals any ideas. Most vault companies have a slab reinforcing requirement similar to what SperlingPE described. If the architect knows one or more vault manufacturers the bank is interested in using, you can contact them for recommendations. You may need embed plates in the slab for the walls, which are sometimes concrete tilt-up walls supplied by the vault manufacturer. At the vault door, you may need a thickened slab and a steel plate to accommodate the door installation.

 

[Lutfi]

Thanks for the input. Obviously the construction standard is more for security reasons than structural!

I agree with your input. I know there is a Federal Standards for Vault containing classified materials. I have done some class “A” vaults. I also know that ASTM has some specs for vaults as well.

I am not aware of a standard, if there was one; I wanted to know about it.


Regards,
Lutfi

 

[dicksewerrat]

I saw a plan for a Fed. Reserve Bank once. The designer put the sanitary and storm drains into deep tunnels. 90 feet below street level. Then designed a real nice drift with reinforcing from the two tunnels back to the basement level of the bank. I asked what would stop someone from walking into the bank from the tunnel. they decided to change that detail. so i'd say there is only common sense available for design.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[MasterB]

We have designed more than a few bank vaults and rather simply. Using common sense and judgement. 12" thick CIP walls with #6 reinforcing bars at 6" o.c.e.w.. Then had the layers offset from each other 3". Creating a 3" grid.

 

[boffintech]

I worked on a big bank vault a couple of years ago. The vault was c.i.p. with 2’ thick walls 30’ tall with 5 mats of #5 bars at 3” o.c.e.w. Each mat was shifted 1” so as to make for a virtual curtain of iron. Besides that the big room next to the vault was a gun range with guards practicing with fully automatic machine guns.

 

[UcfSE]

With the few banks I've worked on, the architect would select a vault manufacturer who would then supply us with the details they needed. These include the slab design under the vault and any embeds or other material necessary for the connection of the vault members.

 

[Lutfi]

UcfSE,

You are correct and this is what we are in the process of doing. We contacted the architect and he is working on getting the data from the vault supplier.

I am still curious if there is a published standard or reference though!


Regards,
Lutfi

 

[TFL]

i think there may be a ul listing they reference i am not sure

 

[jimzpe]

TFL is correct. There is UL performance ratings (construction requirements) for different classes of vaults - I think there's three (3) classes. In addition all federally insured banks must comply with the Bank Protection Act. The BPA only recognizes banks which have vaults that are constructed to their published standards.

 

[archeng59]

do you happen to have the UL numbers?

 

[vaultman]

If you still need help with your bank vault issues, contact me at

http://www.vaultstructures.com

we are vault manufacturers. Good luck. Marcelo.