Underground fireproof bunkers

Colin Abbott · 31 July 2009

It is radiated heat that kills most people in a bushfire situation. Concrete has an excellent resistance to radiated heat.

jono1887 · 31 July 2009

Colin Abbott said:
It is radiated heat that kills most people in a bushfire situation. Concrete has an excellent resistance to radiated heat.

why dont you just build your self a concrete box and sit in it during a bush fire then :

Colin Abbott · 1 August 2009

I am referring to a fireproof concrete bunker recommended by the House of Representatives Committee which looked into evidence arising from the Ash Wednesday bushfires (1983). In fact, many people survived the Ash Wednesday carnage by crawling into culverts.

trainspotter · 1 August 2009

I am with you Colin Abbott. Very easy to construct and should be more of them. Look at America in Tornado alley. "Oh look, a tornado is coming, let's get in the bunker." In my best southern accent.

Colin Abbott · 1 August 2009

In relation to the concrete culvert idea: have available some woollen blankets (soaked with water) and place them over your head (breathing through the blanket). This resists the possibility of smoke inhalation.

Colin Abbott · 1 August 2009

I take it Jono, that you were endeavouring to bring some humour into the discussion?

Colin Abbott · 1 August 2009

Please take a look at the following article. The idea is simple, inexpensive, and requires no council planning permission. http://tiny.cc/DgMO8

Mr J · 1 August 2009

Under ground bunker, supplies and weaponry will be handy for when the blast and chaos hits.

jono1887 · 1 August 2009

Colin Abbott said:
I take it Jono, that you were endeavouring to bring some humour into the discussion?

yep

Colin Abbott · 1 August 2009

Incidentally, concrete pipe (culvert) fire bunkers work perfectly well in a cyclone. My bunker will eventually be covered by a rockery, and should blend in nicely with the rest of the landscape. Any reasonably fit individual should be able to install such a safety device by him/herself. The total all-up cost, using one pipe (1200mm inside diameter x 2500mm in length) would be approximately $800 - $900. I'd say that's a relatively inexpensive way to save lives. I am currently working on a circular "door" with which to close off the "open" end. I envisage using FYRCHEK, an inexpensive fire-resistant material made by the Gyprock company. I'm hoping the whole set-up will be encircled by a gravelled area about twenty metres in diameter, free of plants, shrubs, trees, etc. One has to be sensible and clear the adjacent area, including the pathway to access the bunker.

shotcreter · 13 February 2011

Hi all,

We can build underground bunkers -any size, any depth.
See our webpage.
www.totalshotcrete.com

Cheers

Ceebee77 · 18 October 2013

knocker said:
Yes you are right

No he is not correct. A container below ground with even 60cm of earth on top will not heat up. The problem is, air quality. You shouldn't rely on just the air in the underground space and any vent to the outside (unless constructed correctly) will only bring in smoke and possible fire also as fire will seek out any air (oxygen) to feed itself.
Cheers.

Ceebee77 · 18 October 2013

Colin Abbott said:
I take it Jono, that you were endeavouring to bring some humour into the discussion?

Methinks Johno was being a bit sarky! Hmmmm Johno?

- - - Updated - - -

Colin Abbott said:
Please take a look at the following article. The idea is simple, inexpensive, and requires no council planning permission. http://tiny.cc/DgMO8

Your link no longer works. Cheers.

Julia · 18 October 2013

This question might be out of place on this thread, if so my apologies.
Does anyone know how safe it would be to get into a swimming pool in the event of a fire?
I have some vague recollection of reading that it was not safe at all.

burglar · 18 October 2013

Julia said:
This question might be out of place on this thread, if so my apologies.
Does anyone know how safe it would be to get into a swimming pool in the event of a fire?
I have some vague recollection of reading that it was not safe at all.

If your plan fails or your situation changes you must act quickly and go to a safer place. You need to identify a number of places you can go to at the last minute. This may be a shed, your home, a swimming pool, a dam or another place. If your safer place of last resort is a swimming pool or dam you must protect yourself with a woollen blanket while the fire front passes.

surviveabushfire.aspx

qldfrog · 18 October 2013

Julia said:
This question might be out of place on this thread, if so my apologies.
Does anyone know how safe it would be to get into a swimming pool in the event of a fire?
I have some vague recollection of reading that it was not safe at all.

my understanding is that in an inground pool, it is safe as long as you can duck in and out protected from the radian heat->have cotton or wool on you heat when you pop up to breath.
smoke and O2 can be a problem but depend on location, relief, amount of burning material around
would be the same in a bunker unless you bring in air supply:
the bunker/cellar I plan to build will have an empty gas cylinder filled with ambiant air under pressure that you can release slowly if need be
in the meantime, the pool with a towel each is the emergency safe place at home.
and the preparation plan includes openning the pool ( metal) gate and locking it in open position...bloody safety....
DYOR

burglar · 18 October 2013

qldfrog said:
... and the preparation plan includes openning the pool ( metal) gate and locking it in open position...bloody safety....
DYOR

Would not want to burn hands on the pool ( metal) gate!?
And remember a woollen blanket for the dog too!!

Jackass · 19 October 2013

qldfrog said:
my understanding is that in an inground pool, it is safe as long as you can duck in and out protected from the radian heat->have cotton or wool on you heat when you pop up to breath.
smoke and O2 can be a problem but depend on location, relief, amount of burning material around
would be the same in a bunker unless you bring in air supply:
the bunker/cellar I plan to build will have an empty gas cylinder filled with ambiant air under pressure that you can release slowly if need be
in the meantime, the pool with a towel each is the emergency safe place at home.
and the preparation plan includes openning the pool ( metal) gate and locking it in open position...bloody safety....
DYOR

Qld frog, Dont mean to burst your bubble / bunker but if you stick you and your family in a confined space with no ventilation your main problem will be carbon dioxide build up NOT oxygen depletion. However there are ways around this.

Jackass · 19 October 2013

Actually CO2 build up will become a problem before Oxygen depletion, not saying O2 depletion wont become a problem over a longer period of time.

Julia · 19 October 2013

Thanks for replies. It appears to be a choice between burning and drowning, given the CO2 factor.

Underground fireproof bunkers

Colin Abbott

jono1887

Colin Abbott

trainspotter

Colin Abbott

Colin Abbott

Colin Abbott

Mr J

jono1887

Colin Abbott

shotcreter

Ceebee77

Ceebee77

Julia

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burglar

qldfrog

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