storm shelters

[woody]

got a new storm shelter and would like some ideas, picures of the landscaping or inside if you did something to it.

 

[David Devuono]

Does it have a back door? Looks metal? I think a few layers of lexan for a window would be nice to see if the coast is clear.

 

[woody]

18,000 lbs of concrete with a steel door

 

[davedj1]

Got any pics of it before it was covered? The vents look a little hokey to me, I would go straight up a few feet and have a couple of elbows with varmit/bug screens.
What kind of storms do you get or are you preparing?

 

[6011Artist]

I would think in Al he would be concerned about tornadoes.

One thing you do not want is electricity. In that metal box if it did have an electrical surge from lightening...could get rather exciting in there.

 

[Wood_Butcher_Dav]

I would not like that the door opens out, even with the wings, storm damage things could block opening door once inside.

Dave

 

[6011Artist]

I would think in Al he would be concerned about tornadoes.

One thing you do not want is electricity. In that concrete box if it did have an electrical surge from lightening...could get rather exciting in there.

You can move it if you like my idea, but I thought about doing this by putting it just outside of my bedroom so I could build a staircase going down to it. If in the middle of the night a storm hit, easy to dive in the hole without running out in the storm. And build the doors and staircase class5 storm certified. Might even have an outside door too for access if outside. Middle of the night storms would be my worry.

 

[brin]

I would not like that the door opens out, even with the wings, storm damage things could block opening door once inside.

Dave

I have to agree...We used to have a storm shelter built into a hill close to our house just like yours...but our steel door opened to the inside...imagine in a tornado or other catastrophe if debris were blown into and blocking the door and sealing you and your family inside...If I were you and you don't change the door to open in, then have some way to break it down...maybe a gas cutting torch stored inside...they sell as cheap as $300 =/- at Northern tool with a set of small tanks...then you could cut your way out....

 

[forgeblast]

if your going to be cutting your way out, you may want those smoke hoods or gas mask.

 

[woody]

we have had several tornadoes in the area and straight line winds, and yes the door opening to the outside does concern me but with the wings not so much and when I build my retaining walls I will try to build high enough to keep anything that falls above the door way. we also have agreement with neighbors that we check on them and they check on us, they have a home made shelter that has proved itself a couple of times.

 

[6011Artist]

That agreement with your neighbors is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[BHD]

here is a cellar I built a few years back, on the top right hand picture, if you look close there is a wrench that is fastened to the wall, what one does not see in the picture is a plate that is bolted on the bolts were welded on the out side, and the wrench is bolted on one of the bolts, and there is a small shovel and pry bar, as well on the ledge, take off a few bolts, pop the plate and if not frozen your dug out in a few Min's.

 

[6011Artist]

good idea BHD. Never know when debris will block your exit door.

 

[Jesse masterson]

actualy there is a phenomenon in steel boxes that are buried in the ground that make you safe inside them cant remeber what it's called but the electricity goes directly in the ground while your safe inside

 

[BHD]

actualy there is a phenomenon in steel boxes that are buried in the ground that make you safe inside them cant remeber what it's called but the electricity goes directly in the ground while your safe inside

A Faraday cage

 

[6011Artist]

So, am I right in thinking you don't want electrical circuits in an underground storm shelter or is it ok as long as it's metal or concrete and is grounded? Grounded would be as simple as burying the box.

I read that years ago on a storm shelter site but we all know just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it is always true.

 

[Gordo 56]

I like the looks of your storm shelter and will have to get one myself when I build my pole barn house on my farm in Iowa. I will use it as a root and storm cellar. Could you tell me what it cost and what company you used.
Thanks for the post,
Gordon

 

[petes]

Thankfully I don't (have to) know diddly about tornadoes living in the Pacific Northwest. Depeinding on whether you get rain (or lots of hail) during or after a twister it seems a bunker-in-a-hole may fill up with water on occasion, and any mud sliding down against the door would be pretty tough to overcome from the inside.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I personally would t want electricity wires runnig to my shelter they could make it more dangerous getting out. 12 volt battery and a power inverter. However lighting strikes in a properly built faraday cage( you can look up details) are non concern . More concern with items that could block exit like trees or car etc

 

[6011Artist]

hey petes, you don't have to worry about tornados...and we don't have to worry about mudslides...lol. Every location has it's good and bad.