ARMORED HOLE
Made to keep the occupants safe from wars or disasters that are catching on the surface, the bunker must be at least 2 m deep. To withstand the strain, all the thick walls are made of reinforced concrete reinforced with a mesh of steel rebars.
HOUSE OF AUTISTS
In a bunker, people will spend a good deal of time isolated from the outside world. So the key here is not luxury, but patience and cooperation. To save space, a single room – at least 20 m2 to accommodate six people – serves as a sleeping, eating and leisure area.
TATU SNORKEL
Ventilation can be via a simple vent, similar to a diver’s snorkel, or via an air conditioning system. In any case, the air is distributed through concrete ducts, while air vents along the ceiling send the gale’s breath outside.
UNDERGROUND MINE
One of the essential points is the water supply, which must be consumed in moderation – with six people in the bunker, a water tank of one thousand liters lasts about a month. But for that, reuse is crucial. The water used for cleaning, for example, should be the same as for bathing, which would be weekly. Gallons of mineral water also help with hydration.
DRIED AND DEHYDRATED
As a refrigerator would consume a lot of energy, the strategy for the munchies is to stock the pantry with non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, powdered milk, salt, honey, dried fruit and even baby food. In the “paranoid” USA, there are even kits for isolation situations, with food composed mainly of dehydrated food.
STORAGE
In order not to be caught off guard, it is essential to have a stock of basic supplies, which include everything from a toolbox, batteries and flashlights to a fire extinguisher and first aid kit. Simple things – and easy to forget – also make the list, such as repellent and, if applicable, an extra pair of glasses.
MAKE THE LIGHT
At first, the energy arrives through a common connection with the surface. But, given the high risk of running out of this external source, it is essential that the bunker has energy autonomy. This is guaranteed by means of generators – diesel, gasoline or natural gas – or modular batteries of 1,500 watts.
IT’S FOSSA…
Garbage is packed in polyethylene bags and then placed in a sealed container to retain odors. For sanitation, a septic tank connected to the sink, bathroom and toilet drains is used. This pit, with a minimum capacity of one thousand liters, is located at a lower level, at least 3 m from the bunker.
NO SIGNAL
At 2 m deep, forget your cell phone. Communication with the outside only happens through means that use wiring, such as the common telephone line. A modern bunker may have retractable radio and satellite antennas.
“FAMOUS” BUNKERS
Discover the Underground Strongholds of Hitler and Saddam Hussein
THE FÜHRERBUNKER
Hitler’s bunker functioned as a command center and housed his closest aides as the Soviet Army advanced on Berlin. The underground complex – it was actually two connected bunkers – was about 8 m above the ground. It was the place where the dictator spent his last days with his wife before killing himself.
UNDERGROUND PALACE
Built by a German firm, Saddam Hussein’s bunker is located in the basement of the presidential palace. With three floors, the complex accommodates up to 100 people and has two escape tunnels. According to its designer, the bunker is capable of withstanding the shock of a nuclear impact with the same power as the Hiroshima bomb.