How to Build an Emergency Underground Shelter
An emergency underground shelter can help you and your family survive a natural or man-made disaster. Your underground shelter can be used as protection from a tornado, hurricane or other natural disaster. If your shelter is properly stocked with food, water, bedding materials and first-aid equipment, your family's chances of survival during a disaster will be high. Your shelter can also double as a root cellar for food storage. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Graph paper
- Pencil
- Shovel
- Pickaxe
- Treated posts, 4 by 4
- Concrete mix
- PVC water barrier
- Metal pegs
- Cinder blocks
- Cinder block mortar
- Patio stones
- Jigsaw
- Wood screws
- Steel plates
- Drill
- Heavy-duty nuts and bolts
- Wide steel washers
- Wrench
- Prefabricated steel door
Instructions
-
-
1
Draw a design for your shelter using the graph paper. Plan a floor, roof, heavy-duty door, staircase and sturdy walls. Fully underground shelters will require a powered air ventilation system, which could be powered by a generator if necessary but may eventually fail in the event of an extended emergency.
-
2
Contact local utility companies. Determine the location of power, gas and water lines. Mark out the location of your shelter.
-
-
3
Shovel out an area in the shape you want shelter. Use a pickaxe to break up the earth as needed. Include a rough ramp shape leading into the hole, which is where you will build your stairway. Use a ladder entry if space is an issue.
-
4
Dig holes around the perimeter of the shelter for 4 by 4 posts. Position the post holes away from the edges of the shelter hole, leaving room for cinder blocks on the outside of the posts. Insert treated 4 by 4 posts. Support them with 2 by 4 temporary supports. Mix concrete and pour into the post holes. Follow package directions. Let the concrete set. Fix a PVC water barrier to the outside and bottom of the holes using metal pegs.
-
5
Follow manufacturer directions to mix the cinder block mortar. Construct the outer wall so that the blocks aren't stacked directly above one another, just how the bricks in buildings are laid in a varied pattern. Stacking in a staggered or varied pattern will add strength and security to the walls. Build the walls of the stairway or ladder entrance.
-
6
Use patio stones to floor the shelter. Chisel away chunks as necessary to get a snug fit between the patio stones and walls. Use the cinder block mortar to fill gaps in the floor. Allow to dry per mortar directions. Use patio stones to make stairs. Break, stack and mortar patio stones into the desired shape.
-
7
Secure cross beams to the support posts using a mortise and tenon joint system. Use a jigsaw to cut a peg and socket shape in the beams and supporting posts. Use wood screws to fix the beams in place.
-
8
Cover the roof with steel plates. Use a drill with a heavy bit and heavy-duty nuts and bolts to join the steep plates to the posts and cross beams. Use wide steel washers. Tighten the bolts with a wrench.
-
9
Install a prefabricated heavy-duty steel door. If needed, install a ladder. If your shelter is fully underground, install a prefabricated ventilation system. If your shelter is not fully underground, install prefabricated heavy-duty vents along the exposed side walls.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Follow local building codes.
Choose dense, high-quality treated wood for posts and cross beams to add strength to your shelter.
Stock your shelter with seating, cots, bedding materials, food and water supplies, first aid equipment and an emergency kit.
Don't construct underground shelters on a flood plain. Consult local authorities if you aren't sure if your area is prone to flooding.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Twister image by Isa from Fotolia.com
