Bunkers

[selfsufficient]

As most people who have one eye open can tell, the threat of nuclear was is developing globally. Who has actually built a bunker, was it done by contractors or self built, professionaly designed, made of concrete, timber. Share your story and ideas that you would do differently.
Myself I have built one previous shelter that was on government property. I sank a shaft down 7 metres (approx 21ft) into the ground and under a layer of hard capping rock. I then tunneled a passage 10 metres long with a 90 degree bend then started to build rooms coming off it. Railway sleeper ties provided extra bracing and then 6x1 timber lined the roof and walls. ventilation came at the time by hand blower and cement fibre pipes. All material were salvaged so cost was nearly zero. It was never fully finished and since I moved 10 years ago, some local kids have kept adding to it as a club house.
Presently I am starting shortly on an underground house which will have 4 ft of earth coverage and be our main residence. It can be buttoned up with shutters on the windows and will have filtered air system. Once that is finished I will begin on a new deeper bunker if the world is still in one piece

[Safecastle LLC, Crisis Preparedness Outfitters]

Cool, SS!

The story of my bunker is in the blog on this site, and of course we sell prefab steel shelters as well. Our builder has made and installed over 500 shelters for groups all over the country, to include FEMA and other government organizations. Our shelters are built to last 100 years and to stay bone-dry and keep occupants safe thru thick and thin.

But I'm all for encouraging do-it-yourselfers to build their own as well. I simply warn folks that you be absolutely certain that you are building a structure that will not fail at some point in the future. The best way to do that is to discouss your plans with a certified structural engineer. OR to acquire something that is already engineered to withstand subterranean conditions--such as steel or concrete culvert, which make fine starting points for shelters underground.

If you try to take shortcuts in your shelter, chances are, it will fail at the time you need it most. Not a very reassuring thought.

[1Gr8Librarian]

Where are your plans for this house coming from? I am especially interested in the filtered air system.

[CJ]

What are some of the opinions on using a structurally enhanced shipping container with cement roofing applied?

[Safecastle LLC, Crisis Preparedness Outfitters]

I cannot recommend anyone using shipping containers underground as they are not engineered to withstand lateral pressures as what are encountered underground. The stories on the internet about folks using shipping containers underground are not at all reliable. In every event that I am aware of where someone actually does this (without encasing it in 6 in.+ of concrete and rebar) it fails in short order.

Believe me, it if was a safe, cost-effective solution or starting point for a shelter, we would offer it.

[selfsufficient]

Sorry for the delay in posting. I have an architect of earth covered homes in Australia, making me a custom design. Basically I have designed it, he will draw it and get the engineering approval as well as council approval. The plans as submitted leave alot of detail out that can be added as I build the house. The air filtration system I have custom designed using off the shelf components to keep costs down. HEPA filtration panels are routinely available now, due to tighter regulations over here concerning office air conditioning and the possability of Legionaires. During normal times the house is designed to have natural ventilation with a convection system, where by small courtyards at the back of the house act as chimneys to the surface to create a natural draft through the entire house. When the house buttons down, large concrete sliding doors close to seal up the courtyard chimneys, and also seal up the exposed front windows. The air filtrations system which can then run on battery or diesel generator, then positively pressurizes the entire house and admits only clean air. If I need further protection there will be via a tunnel a much deeper shelter which can be buttoned up for several years.

[Safecastle LLC, Crisis Preparedness Outfitters]

Sounds like you're doing everything right, ss!! When complete, you'll have a special home you will not want to ever leave.