Ideas for an On-the-Ground Bunker

Bunker Size Ideas

• The size of the above-ground bunker depends on your needs. If the bunker is for a legitimate fear, such as a tropical storm if you reside in an area often affected by them, you will need a bunker that is large enough for you and your family or whomever you plan to protect. The length of time you expect to spend inside the bunker will also affect the size ideas since there may be a need for bathroom facilities, some form of generator, enough supplies to last for an expected length of time plus room for the people and pets who will remain in the bunker for safety.

Bunker Location Ideas

• Underground bunkers have the advantage of taking up no surface area, but can be cumbersome to install since the ground must be dug up first and, depending on the property, sewage and water lines or other underground elements may present problems. On-the-ground bunkers simply need a space to be built or placed. The size of the bunker may be a problem, however, so you should determine your bunker size needs first, then decide on a location that can accommodate an on-the-ground bunker of that size. Assuming the bunker will be placed on your property, a garage or large garden shed could be sacrificed to make room for the bunker, if the yard is not big enough.

Bunker Protection Ideas

• Bunkers are designed for different purposes, often in response to realistic threats. During the Cold War, many Americans feared a nuclear attack from the former Soviet Union so it was not uncommon to have an NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) or CBRE (chemical, biological, radiological and explosive) shelter. This level of protection may be overkill for the average American in the 21st century and deciding on specific, realistic and practical needs can help keep the on-the-ground bunker within a budget. A bunker designed to withstand a natural disaster such as a hurricane, tropical storm or tornado needs to be sealed tightly to prevent water from entering, offer sufficient air flow and filtering for those sealed inside, and be secured so it doesn't blow away. The structure needs sufficient strength as well, to protect the bunker from collapsing if a storm blows a tree over onto the bunker, or worse, a tornado drops a vehicle or other heavy debris on top.

Bunker Safety Ideas

• On-the-ground bunkers allow the easy attachment of generators for power and an air filtration system to filter hazardous substances from the local air to provide an air supply for the bunker inhabitants. Bunkers during World War II were built to be quite structurally safe, but many people died from carbon monoxide poisoning once trapped inside; carbon monoxide monitors may be worth the investment, especially if the bunker is combined with a generator. HEPA filtration systems for bunkers are capable of filtering the air to produce a clean, safe air supply for bunker inhabitants, which can reduce the need for air tanks or other potentially dangerous pressurized containers. The filter should be reachable from within the bunker and replacement filters should be stored with the supplies in case inhabitants are stuck in the bunker longer than expected.