Hi all,

I have a bit of an issue because of a mistake by my home builder. Long story short, the garage next to my theater (where the equipment rack was suppossed to be) ended up shifted and I now only have 24" or so of width to build my equipment room.

What is the minimum interior dimensions (width and depth) that I would need for an equipment room (more like an enclosed equipment rack)?

I'm meeting with the builder (hopefully this weekend) to discuss and so need help as soon as possible.

Thanks all!

Russell

Are you planning a pull out rack or a rear access via a door?

I have access to the back of mine through a 18 inch side door. My closet is 26 wide by 36 deep.

But I just grabbed a tape and took a look. I could get everything into 24 wide by 26 or so deep.

Big,

Thanks for measuring! I would like to have a side or back door. The biggest problem is that this "room" will be in the garage, and therefore will be facing a hot zone. So any door would have to be fire-rated.

By the way, I love your whole theater. That hidden rack is excellent!

My room will also need to hold the alarm, network, video distribution, etc.

Russell

I would like to have a side or back door. The biggest problem is that this "room" will be in the garage, and therefore will be facing a hot zone. So any door would have to be fire-rated.


Not that much of a problem. You would use a metal exterior door with the proper fire rating. I have a six panel metal door between the garage and my house.

The problem may be the dimension. I am not sure there is a door that is as narrow as the 24 inch space for the rack but I think there would be a creative way to make a 30 inch door cover a 24 inch wide opening.

Big,

You've hit on the problem exactly. Finding an exterior door with the proper dimensions. The room was suppossed to be 5' wide and this was not going to be a problem at all. It's amazing how difficult it is to read a set of plans.....

Big,

You've hit on the problem exactly. Finding an exterior door with the proper dimensions. The room was suppossed to be 5' wide and this was not going to be a problem at all. It's amazing how difficult it is to read a set of plans.....

what about telling the builder to fix it?

Big,

You've hit on the problem exactly. Finding an exterior door with the proper dimensions.

I'm actually going over this PM to pick up a 5 ft double steel door that I ordered for the shed I'm building and I'll ask the lady I've been working with what the smallest steel door is.

Also even if you have to use a 30 inch door, With some clever framing you can make it work. When you open the door it will just immediately narrow down to a 24 inch wide space. Not a big deal construction wise. The only problem will be if you have some dense workers who just don't get it and screw it up royally.

You can get creative with the door if you want. I'd think a pull out rack would solve several issues for you...the rear access door included.

You can get creative with the door if you want. I'd think a pull out rack would solve several issues for you...the rear access door included.

Id have to agree with Dennis on this one.

Throw your equipment rack on locking caster wheels and you are all set. Of course, that involves leaving a bit of slack on all your wires/cables so that when you pull out the rack ..... you get where Im going.

But, I think its a good option.

OK, checked with my door lady and 30 inches is the smallest she is aware of without getting a custom made door. I have to agree that a pull out rack is looking like the best solution.

OK, checked with my door lady and 30 inches is the smallest she is aware of without getting a custom made door. I have to agree that a pull out rack is looking like the best solution.

Not to mention that with a pull out rack, you arent limited with elbow space and such. With a, lets say a standard 19" rack in a 24" wide room .. thats not a whole heck of a lot of room to move around. What if something gets jammed and you need space to get it lose .... 5" is not a lot of space to work with.

Putting it on wheels and being able to roll it out into a hallway or whatever, gives you FULL access to behind AND sides without having to worry.

Thanks for the ideas all!

Unfortunately it's not something that can be fixed easily (would require re-pouring the slab), so I'm stuck with what I've got. I do have quite a bit of depth to work with, so I could make the room 36" deep and do a side door.

I could also do a pull-out rack but I'd prefer not to. Not only because of the extra cost, but because I've got to deal with alarm wires, video distribution, etc. and I don't know how well that would work in a pull-out rack.

I had been planning on a 5' wide, 3' deep room :)

I'd vote for the pull out rack too. You're saying a custom fire rated door isn't going to eat into any budget you had compared to a pull-out rack? Get one of the swiveling middle atlantic racks and you can get behind there just fine. I would go this route personally, but hey, since the builder fudged up, make him pay for it. (door or rack, pick one, because it's now added to your bottom line for his mistake)