Bomb/Storm Shelter

[Jerrek]

Has anyone built a Bomb/Storm shelter? I want to build one but I have a few obstacles. I live in a new construction neighborhood (small back yard). And I am currently unemployed. As of right now there is an empty lot next door so construction equipment could be easily moved around (not that I could afford it now). I would like to build something that would work for long term occupation. I'm a bit of a pessimist I think when the SHTF it's gonna be BAD.
Any suggestions???

 

[mrjarrell]

Here's a link to a .zip file that has numerous plans for shelters of various sizes. Some (many) are DIY projects and can be fitted in a small space. Unless you have a sizable lot, don't count on one being something for long term habitation. That takes a lot of space and cost. Your most likely need in Indiana, is as a storm shelter. For other things, you might actually be better off fortifying your house with good windows, shutters, secure doors, etc.

Shelters.zip

 

[mjones]

i have built a storm shelter on the side of a house block walls with rebar in every core and filled with concrete concrete roof about 10" thick with rebar in the entire roof then installed a heavy steel door from a metal building company and framed a roof on top of the shelter to match the house roof line and it's ready for furring strips and vinyl siding gets into some money but super nice

 

[jstultz]

i've been thinking about one myself

 

[longbow]

Radius Defense makes some nice ones, but they are a few hundred K out of my range.

 

[strahd71]

for me the water table is too high, too close to the lake

jake

 

[Blackhawk2001]

for me the water table is too high, too close to the lake

jake

You could emulate mjones and build one next to your house - or even reinforce an interior room. FEMA.gov and probably NOAA.gov have information on building a "safe-room" - which designs could serve a dual purpose up to a point. If you search the internet for Kearney's Nuclear Survival Skills, you should be able to find a copy in Adobe Acrobat. There is plenty of good info in there about building hasty fallout shelters and radiation detection equipment. Combine that with the info for safe rooms and you should be able to self-construct an above-ground shelter which will adequately protect you from tornadoes as well.

 

[mrjarrell]

for me the water table is too high, too close to the lake

jake

Then build something on the surface and cover it over with a big mound of dirt. There are always options.

 

[DWS]

If only I had the Spot and the Dough (and I wouldn't be filling it with Booze.... Well... not much anyways)

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3EAJex1RVo&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

OR

http://www.texasshelters.com/jumbo.htm

Other then the fact that in my opinion the whole design is great until you get to a Outward opening door? Change the door to a inward opener with assist and you have a nice cave to wait out the worst!

 

[Keith_Indy]

If I remember, 5' culvert pipe, buried under 3+ feet of soil, is enough to protect against most fall out. Though not comfortably.

We haven't built anything yet.

 

[! twitty]

That shipping container shelter was freaking awesome. I so want to do that myself.

 

[irishfan]

If you have a basement then building a room inside of a room is an option. You could build a block room inside your basement and make sure to lower the ceiling a few feet and add insulation on the top to give you more shelter.

 

[woowoo2]

Does anyone know of a contractor that installs precast storm shelters in Southern Indiana?
I have seen the units that go above ground, I am looking at the ones you bury 2/3rds below grade.

 

[ljadayton]

That shipping container shelter was freaking awesome. I so want to do that myself.

Now I REALLY wish I had a yard or something. I'd put a building over the entrance though.