Bunkers - is it just me?

[farnet]

Ok, from the response I got from my intro, building your own underground facility seems to be frowned upon here.

Am i the only one doing it?

[Devonian]

Would I like my own bunker/man cave? hell yes.

Do I need one? I very much doubt it.

Am I planning one? No.


From what I have read of your other thread, I'd be concerned about the strength of the structure, 6m deep!! That's a huge amount of soil and earth pressure on the roof and walls of the structure, more than enough to simply crush your breeze blocks.

[Plymtom]

Hell no, if you have the money it's the ultimate bug in strategy, but what we stress is TEOTWAWKI is an extreme scenario, many of us don't have the cash to go that far, but that doesn't stop us prepping for all the other more likely and less expensive events.
As Devonian said there were structural concerns which I think you are mistaking for something else, go for it if you can, but check out those concerns, if your plans are flawed as the others suspect in terms of engineering then take that on board and allow for it, don't build yourself a tomb instead of a bunker.

[Arzosah]

Safety issues sounded horrendous to me too, farnet.

Other than that, I'm fairly sure nobody on here has a problem with somebody building a room underground (I'm calling it a room to give it the widest possible spread) if thats what they want to do. But it isn't *particularly* connected to UK prepping. I mean, in what situation would you envisage *needing* a bunker? What is a bunker *for*, as a prep? I think thats whats got people querying ...

[CynicalSurvival]

I'd better read your intro, missed it!

Would love to do this but can't see it happening any time soon. My home is on a sloping hillside so ideally I'd build back underground which could be achieved without a huge amount of depth, and make a concealed storage/escape room. But not something I'd attempt any time soon and without reading up a lot on the technical side.

Otherwise perhaps people would be better buying a site that already has a cellar and using simple strategies to conceal it e.g. concealed door so that even looters would pass it by.

[farnet]

Ok I'll come clean, the original idea for this construction is because I'm a member of the UK pyro techniques society and I've been warned by a police friend that I have to secure the chemicals in case of theft.... As I'd be liable for any harm done by the thief.

So whilst I started this, I felt...in for a penny in for a pound, and decided to do a boys toys version storage area, but it's taking forever....

Everyone says about the 40ft container and concrete, but there is no way that'll get to my back garden, and even so the cost and upheaval is extreme.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not made of money and I'm doing it slowly and methodically... I know my limits and am learning a huge amount on do's and don'ts, history books are useful, as well as understanding your soil makeup.

Eventually, I want to make a room at 6m with concrete steps (got the rebar already) and having a reinforced gate of some sort, and that is why I came here as it is interesting to see what other people have done.... Although I feel somewhat unique here... But it's quite common on the pyro techniques forums which has surprised me somewhat.

[ForgeCorvus]

I'll admit that as soon as somebody mentions "Bunker" I mentally award them one of these

However, as you've explained what you're up to is not building a Survival Prepperist fantasy. You have a responsibility to store the hazardous materials that you need to do your 'Thing' in a safe and secure way....... Plus its fun to have a project

I will point out that normally underground structures tend to be built by digging an oversize hole and then filling it in (Cut & Cover), you've adopted a different approch. Just remember safety first

Now, would pictures break OpSec ?

[Hamradioop]

Nice to see someone take the safety and theft issues seriously, I trust you will be installing a fire suppression system as well. Good Luck and above all stay safe. I guess you must be the reincarnation of a WW1 sapper.

[junmist]

I don't think so most of us would like underground storage which we could use as a bunker. At lest you are doing it a bit defiantly and not going down the burying a container route. I would second the pictures though! Just cos I'm noisy

[farnet]

To be honest the fire suppressant is way down the list. If you separate the components you quite safe...

The whole point is safety, making fireworks is like preppers, learning, understanding, knowing your limits and starting with the basics