| Civil Defense Now! Above Ground Fallout Shelter Plan
By Richard A. Fleetwood - May 2001
The plan on this page is for a fallout shelter constructed ABOVE ground, giving you more protection from fallout radiation than on open ground. The data below was scanned in and converted originally by Robin Hanus, and the zip file of it can be found on my SHELTER PLANS page, as well as Robin's website at www.bwolf.com. Thanks, Robin.
ABOVEGROUND
HOME
FALLOUT SHELTER
H-12-2 / November 1983
(Supercedes H-12-2 dated June 1980)
General Information
This family shelter is intended for persons who prefer an aboveground shelter or, for
some reason such as a high water table, cannot have a belowground shelter. In general,
belowground shelter is superior and more economical than an aboveground shelter.
The shelter is designed to have a protection factor of at least 40, established by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency for public fallout shelters. It also provides
significant protection from the effects of hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, and has
sufficient space to shelter six adults.
The shelter can be built of two rows of concrete blocks, one 12" and one 8",
filled with sand or grout, or of poured reinforced concrete. Windows have been omitted;
therefore, electric lights are recommended for day to day use.
The details and construction methods are considered typical. If materials other than
shown are selected -- for example, concrete blocks faced with brick -- care should be
taken to provide at least the same weight of materials per square foot: 200 lb. per sq.
ft. in the walls and 100 lb. per sq. ft. in the roof. The wood frame roof over the
reinforced concrete ceiling probably would be blown off by extremely high winds such as
caused by a blast wave or tornado. However, the wood frame roof is intended primarily for
appearance; the concrete ceiling provides the protection. When using the shelter for
protection against high winds, DO NOT place the concrete blocks in the doorway or windows.
This structure has been designed for areas where frost does not penetrate the ground
more than 20 inches. If 20 inches is not a sufficient depth for footings, one or two
additional courses of concrete blocks may be used to lower the footings. Average soil
bearing pressure is 1,500 lb. per sq. ft. Most soils can be assumed to support this
pressure without special testing or investigation.
The baffle wall outside the entrance to the shelter is extended out 7'-4" to allow
storage of lawn equipment such as wheelbarrows and lawn mowers. If additional space is
desired, extend this dimension.
Before starting to build the shelter, make certain that the plan conforms to the local
building code. Obtain a building permit if required. If the shelter is to be built by a
contractor, engage a reliable firm that offers protection from any liability or other
claims arising from its construction.
GUIDE TO CONTRACTS AND SPECIFICATIONS
It is generally advisable to have a written contract with your contractor as well as
specifications to supplement the drawing. A widely used and convenient contract form for
construction of this size is AlA Document AI], "Short Form For Small Construction
Contract Stipulated Sum," which is available from the American Institute of
Architects, 1785 Mass. Ave., Washington, D.C. 20036. It would be impractical to write a
specification to suit every local condition; however, the following summary of generally
accepted construction materials and practices is a useful guide:
CONCRETE
For details of concrete construction, follow "Building Code Requirements for
Reinforced Concrete (ACI-318-7l)." This publication can be obtained from the American
Concrete Institute, Detroit, Michigan 48219.
DAMP PROOFING
Damp proofing the bottom slab is necessary to make the room more comfortable in most
areas. Any contractor will be accustomed to compacting gravel and applying a polyethylene
vapor barrier course. In areas that regularly experience high humidity, the outside walls
of the block or concrete should be treated with a colorless type of protective coating
material which is readily available at building supply stores. In areas of very low
humidity, damp proofing might be omitted.
VENTILATION
Ventilation is obtained by natural convection. Air will enter the doorway and be
exhausted through the holes at the ceiling. If a roof exhaust ventilation system is
desired, it can be procured from commercial sources.
OPTIONS
To accommodate additional persons, increase the shelter length 2' -6" for each
two-shelter spaces. Do not increase the 8' -0" width.
Lighting and receptacles may be installed with electric service obtained from a
separate residence circuit. A branch circuit breaker should be installed inside the
shelter.
MATERIALS LIST
Item Quantity
Concrete:
footings
4.5 cu. yd.
floor
2.3 cu. yd.
ceiling
3.4 cu. yd.
Total: 10.2 cu.yd.
Steel Reinforcing:
footings (3# deformed bars)
198 lin. ft.
ceiling (3# deformed bars)
257 lin. ft.
walls (4# deformed bars for hurricane,
tornado, or earthquake resistance) approx 300 lin. ft.
Total: 755 lin. ft.
tie wire
100 lin. ft.
Masonry:
8" X 8" X 16" hollow concrete
blocks 800
12" x 8" x 16" hollow concrete
blocks 430
8" X 8" X 16" solid concrete
blocks
75
sand (to fill cores)
12 ½ yd.
Mortar:
sand
1-1/2 yd.
portland cement
9 bags
lime
2 bags
Lumber: ("construction"grade)
2" X 4" X 8'-0" roof rafters
32 pcs.
1" X 6" ridge
26 lin. ft.
2" X 4" X 12'-0" ceiling joists
5 pcs.
4" X 6" X 8'-0" beam
1 pc.
2" X 4" bearing plate
36 lin. ft.
4'-0" X 8'-0" x 3/8"
"plyscord" sheathing
13 sheets
4'-0" X 8'-0" x 3/8"
"plyshield" soffit & ceiling 6 sheets
1" X 4" X 3/4"
48 lin. ft.
1" X 6" X 3/4"
84 lin. ft.
3/4" -1/4
24 lin. ft.
2'-8" X 6'-6" X 1 3/8" solid
core wood door 1
2'-8" X 6'-6" X 5 1/2" wood jamb
1
Miscellaneous:
15# roofing felt
4 1/2 squares
210# asphalt shingles
4 1/2 squares
½" X 8" anchor bolts
12
½" X 14" anchor bolts
2
copper screen
20 sq. ft.
6" X 6" - #10 x #10 wire mesh
200 sq. ft.
polyethylene vapor barrier (4 mil)
200 sq. ft.
gravel fill
2 ½ yds
4" butts w/screws
3
lockset
1
16d common nails
25 lb.
8d common nails
20 lb.
6d common nails
10 lb.
8d casing nails
5 lb.
exterior paint, primer
5 gal.
exterior paint, 2 coats
6 gal.
interior paint, primer
4 gal.
interior paint, 2 coats
5 gal.
| 
