I want to install an underground structure for food storage and to serve as a fallout shelter. I have looked into pre-cast 'drop-in' concrete structures which are quite costly for my budget. I have also looked into using a cargo storage container, which is more affordable. I need to do this quickly and as inexpensively as possible. A primary concern is with ventilation: how to "plumb" in the pipes; is special ventilation/piping required to filter out nuclear fallout; what are sources for such ventilation/filtration...

Are there other options besides a used cargo container? Are plans and/or web sites available to aid in doing such a project quickly?

Thank you.

-- mike (blechhhh@aol.com), September 18, 1999

Answers

How about a storage trailer?

Independent trucking companies and others from time to time have worn out trailers that are not road worthy any longer. The cost to make them legal per DOT requirements is sometimes very high. Above breakeven point cost.

These trailers are referred to storage trailers because they can be used as extra storage area but not legally pulled on the road.

I have heard recently of a 28 foot trailer going for $400.

Check into it. You would have to re-inforce the structure to some extent.

The other thought would be what you mentioned, a pre-cast spring tank.

Here is a link to a site with information on a spring tank:

http://www.eshowcase.com/rootcellar/listings.html

Good luck and please come back and share any details.

-- no talking please (breadlines@soupkitchen.gov), September 18, 1999.

Mike: Check this out:

http://www.eshowcase.com/rootcellar/listings.html

-- (nobody@nowhere.com), September 18, 1999.

Two important books give info on this:

Root Cellaring by Mike and Nancy Bubel Nuclear War Survival Skills by Cresson Kearney

I'd recommend you get both, the cost will surely be offset by what it saves in construction. www.beprepared.com had the Kerney book on sale last I looked, I found a good used copy or the other at ebay. Local library might be able to get one or both, and photostat.HTH

-- LauraA (Laadedah@aol.com), September 18, 1999.

Try these 2 publishers out. They carry related stuff.

Loompanics Unlimited PO Box 1197 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Toll-Free: (800) 380-2230 Phone: (360) 385-5087 Fax: (360) 385-7785 Email: marketing@loompanics.com Web: http://www.loompanics.com

PALADIN PRESS HOME OF THE ACTION LIBRARY P.O. Box 1307, Boulder, Colorado 80306 Free 80-page CATALOG containing descriptions of more than 750 titles (800) 466-6868 or (800) 392-2400 Retail Credit Card Orders Only (303) 443-7250 Wholesale Orders and Customer Service (303) 442-8741 FAX service@paladin-press.com -- Customer Service and Orders sales@paladin-press.com -- Dealer Inquiries editorial@paladin-press.com -- Editorial Queries

There are several relevant books listed in J.C. Cunningham's book (is in the "Suggested Readings" section on my website), but cannot recall them offhand. Hope this helps.

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com (my site)

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), September 18, 1999.