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If you are concerned about the possibility of a terrorist attack or nuclear accident, you may be worried about radioactive fallout. A fallout shelter is one way you can protect yourself from the dangers presented after a nuclear incident. Read on to learn how to build a fallout shelter.
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If you are concerned about the possibility of a terrorist attack or nuclear accident, you may be worried about radioactive fallout. A fallout shelter is one way you can protect yourself from the dangers presented after a nuclear incident. Read on to learn how to build a fallout shelter.
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Introduction
Nuclear incidents create fallout, which consists of tiny particles of radioactive materials that persist after the explosion. Although most people think of a nuclear bomb creating fallout, it can also be created from an accident at a nuclear power plant. Popular in the 1950s and 60s, fallout shelters are making a comeback. -
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Step 1: Select a Location
- A fallout shelter needs to be well insulated to to prevent the tiny radioactive particles from entering. While you can insulate an aboveground room in your house, or construct a shelter in your backyard, if you have an underground basement you may wish to use it as your fallout shelter. Although modifications will be required, the existing dirt around the walls will reduce the amount of additional insulation you'll need.
Step 2: Secure the Room
- Fallout dust particles are very small and require a thick mass to keep particles out. The floor, walls, and roof of a fallout shelter need to be covered in order to provide protection. Depending on the materials you use, you'll need varying thicknesses:
- Steel: five inches
- Solid brick: 16 inches
- Hollow concrete blocks filled with mortar or sand: 16 inches
- Packed earth: two feet
- Loose earth: three feet
- Depending on how far you are from ground zero, you may be living in the fallout shelter for up to a month. You'll need to provide a means for clean air, sanitary facilities, and detection of radiation levels outside of the shelter.
Step 3: Stock the Room
- You should plan on enough food and water for up to two months, although, in most cases, the fallout will have dissipated with 10 days. The following items should be stored in your shelter:
- Potassium Iodide tablets to deal with the effects of radiation exposure
- Canned foods
- Paper products
- First aid supplies
- Reserve emergency water
- Batteries
- Candles and matches
- Fuel for lanterns and generators
- Radio
