How to Build a Bomb Shelter

In the 1950s and 1960s, the threat of nuclear attack seemed very real. In many places, officials designated and stocked special underground structures (subway tunnels, the basement of the courthouse) to serve as public bomb shelters capable of protecting those who took refuge there. In many other places, people took it upon themselves to build their own place of refuge. Today it may seem like an interesting bit of historical hysteria or maybe even paranoia, but some folks still see a practical side to having a place of safety, especially in the event of bad weather. If you’re one of them, build a bomb shelter. Stock it with food, water and supplies and feel better about your future security.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Concrete or blocks
• Mortar
• Steel beams or lumber
• Water well
• Air supply system
• Composting toilet

1. Draw everything out before you pick up a shovel or purchase a single block. Locate a good spot for your shelter. Decide if your bomb shelter will be an extension of your basement, if you have one, or a separate “structure.” If it’s separate from your home, you will need to excavate a hole in which to build your bomb shelter.

2. Construct your shelter. You may find concrete or cinder blocks easiest to work with. Lay a foundation and floor first and build your walls up from the foundation. To waterproof your underground structure, dig trenches on all sides that are 1 foot wide and 1 foot deep, filled with gravel and perforated pipe. Extend the trenches some distance away from your shelter to carry water away. Before you infill with dirt, use waterproofing paint on the inside and outside of the structure, and install a waterproof barrier (plastic sheeting).

3. You must reinforce your roof to bear the weight of the dirt you’ll lay on top (to serve as a shield against radiation and other hazards). Use vertical and horizontal steel beams to support your roof. Lay two layers of 1 inch plywood over the roof supports and secure in place. Put a layer of solid concrete blocks on the plywood, covered with waterproof sheeting. Put a layer of tin roofing material over the blocks and waterproofing, and cover with several feet of earth.

4. A heavy, air-tight door is critical to the success of your shelter project. A commercially-built door installed in cement and metal framing will be best.

5. You will need a constant supply of fresh air. You can build a ventilation system using materials for a standard HVAC system, including the filters.

6. A supply of fresh drinking water is essential if you plan to survive underground for more than a few hours. You can drill a fresh-water well through the floor of your shelter and install a hand pump, but it is a good idea to have several gallons of fresh water stored inside the shelter, just in case.

7. You may need to provide heat to your shelter, depending on your location. An air-tight, wood-burning stove with a water jacket may work for this purpose, but you will need to vent all exhaust to the outside. Lay in a stock of wood for burning. The water jacket will let you heat water continuously. Remember that the earth surrounding your shelter should help to keep it at a constant, if cool, temperature.

8. Lay in a good supply of non-perishable food items. Decide how you will handle trash: a trash pit or an incinerator. Install a composting toilet to manage human waste.

Tips & Warnings

• Fresh, clean air and water are critical components of any shelter system.

Resources

• Commercially-built bomb shelters