Introduction

This guide provides detailed instructions for constructing various types of fallout shelters designed to protect against nuclear fallout, including aboveground and underground options. These shelters offer radiation protection, blast resistance, and fire safety features.

Site Selection

Choose a location with natural shielding, such as hills or valleys, and avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding. Ensure the site is at least 50 feet from potential blast zones.

Trench Shelter Construction

Site Selection

  • Stable earth passing the ‘thumb test’ (pushing a thumb less than 1 inch into soil).
  • Clear 8ft around the trench.

Trench Dimensions

  • Dig a trench 4.5ft deep and 3ft wide.
  • Length equals total door widths minus 8in.

Roofing

  • Place hollow-core doors flat on the trench, overlapping ends by 4-5in.
  • Mound earth 2ft thick over doors, sloping outward to prevent water ingress.

Waterproofing

  • Use 4-mil polyethylene or similar materials to cover the roof and trench walls.
  • For wet earth, slope doors and tuck waterproofing under higher door ends.

Ventilation

  • Install a KAP (air pump) in the natural airflow opening.
  • Add water/earth containers near openings to enhance radiation shielding.

Additional Features

  • Build canopies over openings.
  • Create drainage ditches.
  • Store water in disinfected containers (1 tsp Clorox per 10 gallons).
  • Include a stand-up hole for hygiene.

Aboveground Shelter Construction

Site Selection

  • Choose a location with natural shielding and avoid low-lying areas.

Foundation

  • Dig a shallow pit 1-2 feet deep.
  • Line it with gravel for drainage.
  • Cover with a concrete slab or thick plywood.

Structure

  • Use 2×4 lumber to build a rectangular frame.
  • Walls should be at least 2 feet thick for radiation shielding.
  • The structure includes a 12-inch thick concrete floor for radiation shielding.
  • Walls built using 2x4s spaced 16 inches apart and covered with 5/8-inch drywall.
  • Roof consists of 2×6 lumber spaced 24 inches apart, topped with 5/8-inch drywall and a 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier.

Roofing

  • Alternative methods include sloped roofs with multiple layers of waterproof materials (e.g., tarps, metal sheets) and insulation with foam or earth.

Sealing

  • Install a heavy, airtight door with a 2-inch thick rubber gasket for sealing.
  • Ensure all combustible materials are covered with 6-mil polyethylene to prevent fire hazards.

Ventilation

  • Include a filtered ventilation system with HEPA filters to maintain air quality.
  • Install a 12-volt battery-powered air pump for emergency ventilation.

Waterproofing

  • Use a 60-mil polyethylene liner under the floor and a 30-mil liner over the roof.

Additional Features

  • Add a sleeping area, storage for supplies, and a small kitchenette with sealed containers.
  • Use natural materials to camouflage the shelter and avoid detection.
  • Conduct a radiation leak test using a Geiger counter before occupancy.

A-Frame Shelter Construction

Space Requirements

  • Total volume: ~640 cubic feet
  • Sitting space for 10 people
  • Storage space for supplies

Construction Details

  • Use pressure-treated lumber (2x6x10′ for roof walls, 2x6x8′ for rear wall, 2x4x8′ for front wall)
  • Assemble wallplates in trenches
  • Erect roof wall members in pairs with 30-inch spacing between 20d nails for 2×6 laminations or 3/8-inch spikes for 4×6 decking
  • Construct end walls with lamina ends flush with roof wall tops
  • Cover structure with polyethylene film and 2 feet of earth
  • Add 2-foot sandbag/masonry block shielding on front walls
  • Install ventilation ducts in rear wall and over doorway
  • Use heat/blast-resistant door (4-inch thick) with white paint

Materials List

  • 250 pieces 2x6x10′ roof walls
  • 50 pieces 2x6x8′ rear wall
  • 10 pieces 2x4x8′ front wall
  • 3 pieces 2x6x10′ plates
  • 10 pieces 2x4x10′ plates
  • 10 pounds 20d nails
  • 150 sq ft water repellent film
  • 600 filled sandbags (30 lbs) or 176 concrete blocks
  • Manual/Hand-operated blower (30 CFM)
  • Galvanized intake pipe
  • 7×7′ and 24×24′ flyscreens

Protection Factors

  • Fallout protection factor ~500 with 2-foot earth cover and sandbag shielding
  • Blast resistance ~5 psi overpressure

Construction Time

  • 4 man-days for structure assembly
  • 4 additional man-days for earth covering (without power equipment)

Structural Life

  • 15-20 years with proper maintenance

Additional Considerations

  • Mound earth against rear wall and add vegetation/riprap for soil retention
  • Install flyscreens (7×7′ and 24×24′) for intake and ventspace
  • Use manually operated blower with intake duct in rear wall and exhaust through door ventspace
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