Q&A for How to Build a Fallout Shelter

Most fallout shelters are constructed in this style, because it is relatively simple and foolproof. Many modifications can be made, such as a sheet-metal roof, but most follow this style. Another type is the reinforced room/cellar. Examples of these are common, as they are also useful for air-raid protection. Typically, these would be basements that have reinforced walls and ceiling, and a thick, blast-resistant door.

Use a piece of metal as a door. Attach it to hinges and have a ladder leading up to it from the main room of the shelter.

The best option would likely be to set up some sort of easily managed farms. Have a room in which to grow some potatoes or other underground vegetable, like onions, beets or carrots. You won't have quite all the nutrients for proper healthy living, but at least you will be fed. Maybe you could also farm a source of protein, such as insects or small rodents. This would round out your diet and reduce the risk of diet related health complications. Also, remember that honey does not expire or go bad, ever. Stockpile as much as possible, as it is a great sweetener and can be used as an antibiotic as well.

In a nuclear attack, it is preferable to be in shelter for 14 to 20 days. Make sure you don't leave it in the first 48 hours.

No. Once an animal has died and their body has been sitting for awhile, their body is going to have all kinds of bacteria, so consuming them could lead to serious illness.

Most materials are radiation-resistant, but blast-resistant is different. Titanium is blast-proof, and lead blocks most radiation. Bear in mind that gamma radiation passes though almost everything. Use a thick layer of lead to stop some of the gamma radiation.

It's impossible to say for sure because it would depend on what type of bomb it was, how large of an explosion it produced, etc.

Use re-enforced steel to make the inner or outer layer of the fallout bunker.

Use canned foods (particularly those with water) and you can store them anywhere. You could also install a fridge unit if you have power in your shelter.

It depends on how well the ventilation system is designed. You generally need to install an air filtration system to get clean air. If you are underground, this involves running pipes to the surface.

Build a roof or room as your first entrance and keep the walls and ceilings covered with a thick, solid material to reduce the chance of being exposed to radiation.

Get a good gas mask with air filters. Look for NBC or CBRN-approved masks. It needs to form an airtight seal around your face.

Concrete is a great block that's all around us already. Reinforce it with steel rebar for extra protection. Being underground, underneath the soil, helps a lot. You can also make use of thick material like wood logs and sandbags. Lead blocks the most, but you usually don't need it or only need small quantities.

Try using a sharp knife or another tool. Those cans can be stubborn, but they're not terribly thick. You may be able to pry them open or cut into them.

You can cut down on gamma radiation entering by designing a turn in the entrance so the gamma rays hit the walls instead of entering the shelter directly. As far as fallout particles, you will need to protect the entrance in some manner as described in various publications such as Nuclear War Survival Skills. For these particles, think "dust."

Thick lead and titanium will work very well. The lead will stop the radiation, and the titanium would stop the radiation and protect you from any more blasts that may occur.

It could work sufficiently, just see how deep it is and it there is any exposure to above ground. If you are going to use it, consider covering it with dirt and stockpiling food inside.

You should always build an underground shelter. Garages aren't protected from the blast of a nuclear explosion.

It takes at least 14 days for the fallout radiation to decay down to around 1% of its initial radiation. Fallout radiation will probably not be visible to the naked eye so unless you receive an 'all-clear' from a trusted source or you have the training and necessary equipment to detect radiation, your safest bet is to assume that you are within the fallout area and wait out the 14 days.

If you have a weapon, try to defend yourself. If it's clear you will lose the battle, try to cooperate with them or go to the nearest building that provides more shelter than the outdoors.

No. This shelter isn't designed for direct hits, and even if you did survive (which is probably the rarest thing that can happen), the fire would kill you immediately afterward.

It's impossible to say because it depends on how powerful the bomb is, how strong your shelter is, etc.

Plan on keeping a gallon of water per person per day. You will need about 14 gallons for a single person. You can get by safely with a half a gallon per person per day or even less than that in case you need to stay longer.

In pre-blast situations using the standardized electrical guidelines could be used to provide power to a shelter. However, the electrical system will likely not work post blast due to a nuclear blast-induced electromagnetic pulse (NEMP). This is generated when mushroom cloud pushes into the upper atmosphere or from high altitude detonations (intended to cause an EMP to destroy/disrupt the electrical supply). The only way to protect from EMP is to have both the shelter's power supply and all of its electrical wiring located completely within a Faraday Cage. Due to the high energy from an NEMP, the Faraday Cage in this instance should be constructed from solid MU-Metal sheeting.

It's more realistic than staying inside your house, and a lot more realistic than standing outside watching the bomb detonate.

Yes, but keep in mind that you will need a generator for it. Also keep in mind that nuclear explosions emit an electromagnetic pulse, and unless you have a way to protect your electronics, they will be useless. A Faraday cage would work for that. Personally, I wouldn't install a fridge until I've put in lights.

You can either stockpile them or survive off the surrounding areas. If you live in a large city, try to find a cannery or something similar.

It depends on which phase the war is in. To win a long-ensuing battle, one has to achieve material superiority. The most likely targets are military targets, the energy-grid and its power-plants (atomic, dams, etc), and transportation ways (railroad junctions, airports, docks). Targeting heavily populated areas also happens, but at a phase where psychological attack is the more important factor. For example, the soldiers of a nation tends to lose morale when civilians suffer (eg a city is bombed, most likely killing soldiers' families, etc).

Many shelters are able to stand up to blasts. Usually, the shelter needs to be underground. If you're in the blast zone, buildings may fall, along with structures like dams and power lines. With some careful planning, the shelter will escape damage.

A sliding latch is a good option. Roller bearings should also work. Use something discreet that seals and is easy to slide open and closed even with 100 pounds of dirt on top of it.