Be it Armageddon, domestic terrorist attack, zombie infestation or just mother nature herself – having a bunker in your own backyard can only serve to improve its effectiveness and increase protection.
Most jurisdictions have approval processes in place for constructing any underground structure, including bunkers. Therefore, you will want to make sure everything goes according to plan when constructing them.
1. Water
Your bunker should contain at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food and water supplies, along with toiletries such as toilet paper and soap. In addition, consider keeping extra cleaning materials, medical supplies and an emergency first aid kit on hand as backup plans.
Consider who will live in your bunker and for how long; this will have an immense influence on its design decisions. For example, if only sheltering yourself and immediate family is your goal, your bunker will likely be significantly smaller than one designed to support multiple households underground for long-term survival situations.
DIY bunker builders may find using shipping containers as the foundation for their bunkers a cost-effective and quick option. Just ensure to reinforce them to increase strength; remember, though, they were intended only to support loads on four corners rather than top or sides, meaning a car won’t fit over them. In order to use containers efficiently as bunkers you will also need a two foot deep hole dug with concrete stairs set into it – corrugated steel roofing or plywood sheets supported by I-beams should also be added – plus support from I-beams should also be considered.
Your bunker requires water for people and animals alike; experts advise storing one gallon per person/pet daily in underground tanks, wells or cisterns (if you have enough resources). Any system installed into your bunker should be designed for easy access and maximum safety.
Your bunker design must also include a bathroom. While buckets or paint cans could serve as makeshift toilets, for optimal safety it would be wiser to invest in a composting toilet system which recycles waste into fertilizer; such systems are popularly found at off-grid homesteads and can easily be installed under your bunker floor.
2. Food
At minimum, every prepper needs the basics in their bunker: flashlights, radios (self-powered or battery powered), toilet paper, soap, water and fire extinguishers. You should also stockpile enough food for at least two weeks – such as grains, canned goods, honey, dried beans, meat and survival bars to last that timeframe – all stored safely away from sunlight or heat exposure.
Canned foods make an excellent option for bunkers as they require no cooking and will last an extended period. To prevent rust and corrosion from taking hold in your cans, it is wise to store them correctly to prevent corrosion. When selecting meat storage options for storage purposes it is advisable to select lean freeze-dried cuts of meat that last longer and won’t spoil as quickly.
Make sure to store up on various seasonings to add variety to bunker meals and enhance morale and enjoyment. A small addition can go a long way toward increasing morale and increasing enjoyment!
Maintaining muscle mass and energy levels requires having access to protein-rich foods in your bunker, and beans are an ideal source. Beans offer great value as a high-protein, cost-effective food option that’s also easily stored. You should also consider adding canned soup as it provides essential nutrition in an emergency situation.
Bunker ideas often forget the importance of providing themselves with snacks to sustain themselves for extended periods. You should ensure your bunker contains items like nuts, popcorn, granola bars and gelatin desserts as they will provide much-needed calories in an emergency situation. Candy should also be stored away to boost morale during emergencies. Finally, include some white vinegar in your bunker as this can help kill mold or any harmful microorganisms that might arise during disaster situations.
3. Safety
Bunkers exist to help us survive catastrophic disaster. Serious preppers and survivalists understand this concept well; for this reason, a proper bunker should be well designed to withstand intrusion by anyone looking to do them harm or their loved ones harm.
To that end, they carefully design a space that can both provide essentials and comfort. Not only are the layout and dimensions important; so is lighting design; for instance a brightly lit bunker will make navigating more straightforward while dim lights may create psychologically relaxing environments and help them focus on what matters to them most.
Safety considerations that go into any renovation project, such as fire codes and plumbing requirements, must also be factored in when planning for a bunker. Furthermore, most jurisdictions have permitting processes in place that must be adhered to before commencing with any construction of any type on your property, including bunkers. It’s advisable to consult your local building authority regarding their process for construction of bunkers although some preppers have found creative ways around it, including building their bunkers underground or making it appear like part of existing structure like culvert coffins.
Other safety considerations involve power supplies. Bunkers typically are designed for two weeks of confinement, meaning the occupants will require power for food preparation, air ventilation and light sources. It’s wise to plan how these systems will be powered before starting construction of your bunker.
One option for fueling an alcohol generator is denatured ethanol or rubbing alcohol, which burns at lower temperatures but is more suitable for poorly ventilated spaces such as bunkers. A gas generator could also run on propane or natural gas.
Many homeowners opt to incorporate a bunker as part of a new home rather than build an independent shelter on their property, to avoid problems with permits and construction crew experience. Prefabricated bunkers may also be bought and installed into an existing hole on your property; for example Rising S Company in Texas provides basic tornado/bomb shelters starting at $40k to its luxury series which boasts bowling alley and pool features.
4. Shelter
Shelter is the cornerstone of your bunker because this is where you will spend most of your time during a disaster. Your plan for how long you want to remain inside will dictate both its size and complexity; for example, an extended stay could require multiple sleeping areas and bathrooms as well as food storage space and communication with outside world.
Underground bunkers are by far the safest form of bunker. You can create an entire underground shelter or convert existing spaces like a basement, crawlspace, root cellar or shed into survival bunkers. Underground shelters protect you against nuclear fallout, blast waves and other dangers that might damage above-ground structures.
When selecting a location for your bunker, try to find an area with ample cover, away from buildings that could collapse under hostile fire and that sits firmly on solid ground (rather than near bodies of water or other potentially flammable materials). Also be mindful of selecting an area without water sources near enough that may become an active target if attacked.
Your bunker should be constructed of strong and insulating materials such as bricks or concrete that is reinforced to support heavy loads, or self-healing concrete that reduces maintenance costs over time. Wood should be avoided due to weathering and insect infestation.
Once you have selected the location and construction method of your bunker, it’s time to begin building. Each jurisdiction has their own permits process for bunker building – be sure to familiarize yourself with what regulations exist in your region before beginning excavation.
As soon as you’re ready to build, lay down a foundation and trench around it. Next step should be pouring concrete. When pouring, pay close attention to depth and placement of anchor rods – this will prevent collapse under its own weight.
