Cellar Earthquake Saftey

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by CyberMonk, Dec 31, 2014.

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  1. CyberMonk

    CyberMonk Crusader (421) May 18, 2010 California

    I live in Northern California, and as such earthquakes are something I've kept in mind when it comes to storing my beer. I've currently got a solid wire shelving unit sitting in a downstairs storage locker, thrice fastened to the wall, with metal wire and plastic netting around each of the shelves to prevent bottles from toppling or rolling off in the event of a disturbance.

    However, the wire I used has slowly lost tension over time, and that's got me thinking about possible replacement materials. So, I thought I'd ask here to see if other folks have taken similar safety precautions with their own beer shelving, and which materials or solution you came up with.

    I've been looking at stretch netting as a possible replacement (something like this: http://www.organizedobie.com/categories/259/Barrier-Stretch-Nets), but I'm unsure as to how strong that stuff will be. Relatedly, I tried finding some suitable elastic cabling but didn't come up with much.

    Anyone have any other solutions they'd be willing to share?
     
    #1 CyberMonk, Dec 31, 2014
  2. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How many bottles are you talking? Could you use bottle shippers as an extra layer of protection? Love the avatar by the way, Vicious :slight_smile:
     
    #2 Jwale73, Jan 1, 2015
  3. lightman1

    lightman1 Zealot (607) Oct 19, 2013 Arkansas
    Trader

    I'm thinking maybe cover your wire shelves with plywood, the shelf itself, and attach a rail around them. A few $ at Home Depot and a lazy Saturday afternoon and your beer is safe. The rail could be a 1x4, some kind of metal track like a steel stud or even a piece of fancy trim or molding.
     
    #3 lightman1, Jan 2, 2015
  4. atpca

    atpca Pooh-Bah (1,652) Jun 10, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    In the event of a quake big engouh to break bottles against each other, you've probably got bigger worries! I think your priorities are keeping the shelving upright (sounds like you have) and keeping the bottles on the shelves. Anything from nylon twine to construction strapping should work.
    I got really lucky, only lost 1 bottle (Weyerbacher X-Ray) to the Napa quake. No more loose bottles on shelves for me, moving everything into case boxes.
     
    #4 atpca, Jan 3, 2015
  5. itracy63

    itracy63 Savant (1,187) Apr 20, 2013 Washington

    I keep all my beer in boxes with dividers or bottle shippers and either on the ground or very near the ground in my garage. Keeps them out of the light, cool due to proximity with the ground, and safe from gravity.
     
    #5 itracy63, Jan 3, 2015
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