Vault hatch

The Vault 101 Hatch is a type of door. The hatches are used in the levels of Vault 101.

Hatches are associated with corridors, rooms, and stairways and are often used for creating separation between and marking the boundaries of areas.

The components of a hatch are a door and a door frame. Some hatches have an access control panel. Hatches are made from a strong, durable metal. Hydraulic motors power the hatches.

A hatch's path can be blocked by a heavy item. By placing an item in the path of the hatch, the hatch isn't able to close because it doesn't have enough pressure to crush the item. This happens in 2277 when an unknown benefactor shoved a locker in the path of a hatch to the Upper Level facilitating the Lone Wanderer's escape.

Common Use Hatch
This is a two-piece hatch with a upper and lower part. The upper part has cones which fit into conical depressions in the lower part. The two parts, when closing, slide together. When opening, they slide apart. Set above the seam, there is an override lever. This override lever is used for emergencies. Under normal circumstances, if a hatch is locked, as indicated by a sign, only an experienced locksmith can unlock the hatch.

On both sides of the hatch, there is a vertical yellow band. On the yellow, there is the Vault's number and a warning: "Warning - Hydraulic Door - 3300 Lbs Pressure". 3300 pounds is the amount of pressure the hatch uses for operation.

Power to the hatch can be controlled by an access control panel positioned near the left frame. Most times the switch is set to on with two indicator lights glowing green. The switch can be set to off by a flick of the switch. In that case, the lights glow red. An area of safety, approximately eight feet in length and three feet in width, has been established around the hatch. This area is defined by yellow border lines.

Restricted Access Hatch
This hatch is identical in appearance and function to the common use hatch. However, there is one major difference.

On both sides of the hatch, there is a red-and-white band. On the the band, in red, there is a hand (the 'Stop' Hand) and these words:"No Access - Authorized Personnel Only". There are red downward pointing arrows in the band.

The entrances to the Main Entrance and Overseer's Office are both of this design.

Restricted Use Hatch
This is a one-piece hatch. Hydraulic motors move the door sideways for closing/opening. There is an override handle on one side of the door. On the reverse side of the hatch, there are two circular indicators. When the hatch is close, both circles show diagonal red lines on a white background. When the hatch is opening, the right circle shows the words "Open" (red letters on a white background) and the left circle shows the words "Stand Back" (red letters on a black background).

The entrances to rooms on the Reactor Level are of this design.