Vault hatch

The Vault 101 Hatch is a type of architectural element found in Vault 101. The hatch is used to divide sections into smaller units, known as rooms, stairways, and corridors, and to control the flow of traffic from one section to another. When hatches work, they produce three-thousand three hundred (3300) pounds of pressure to open and close. This presents a great danger to the residents of the Vault if they are not careful. If an emergency occurs, an override lever on the hatch's lower surface can be pulled to open the hatch. During normal circumstances, if a hatch is locked, as indicated by the red indicator light of the sign, only an experienced locksmith can open the hatch.

The hatch is controlled by a access panel box located close to the left frame. A switch on the panel can be moved from 'off' to on', or vice versa. Indicator lights identify which direction the switch is positioned.

There are a few particular hatches, such as the door to the 'Reactor' on the Reactor Level or the door to the 'Main Entrance', which are special use hatches. These hatches have authorization signage in the center. To the left and right of the signage, there are circular indicators in the hatch. The indicators utilize an unique system to announce if a door is locked (cross-hatch pattern) or open (clear circle).

A hatch can be tampered with by shoving a locker or other heavy object in the hatch's path. The hatch will attempt repeatedly to close unsuccessfully until a person removes the obstruction. This will cause the sign for that door to blink between green and red frantically.

History
These doors were built into the Vault from its inception.

In 2277, as the Lone Wanderer escaped from the Vault, an unknown benefactor obstructed the path of a hatch on the Atrium lower floor with a locker. This allowed the Lone Wanderer access to the Upper Level and, eventually, freedom.