Designers Tackling Fire Bunker Ideas
Soumitri Varadarajan, from RMIT’s School of Architecture and Design, writes a blog Faint Voice. He is posting ideas from many people – designers and architects – about bunkers, shipping containers etc as fire protection. Some of the architects have offered pro bono consultation time. So if you want to chat to someone if you let Soumitri know, he can pass on your details.
Problems To Face
Soumitri quotes Professor Keith Crews, a Sydney-based structural engineer, who says underground bunkers could be the answer to protecting people from fires like those Victoria has just witnessed.
“You would need something that is essentially underground because of the insulating quality of the earth…Obviously you would need something over the top of that that’s quite well protected..
The next issue that I think you would have to consider is oxygen or air because when you get a fire storm like that it’s got a tendency to suck up all the air that’s there… The earth is a great insulator. Obviously you would have to give consideration to groundwater and all those issues, but I would assume that something like two to 2.5 metres, so essentially it was like a basement..”
Warnings
As one comment says this is a very interesting topic however she has a neighbour with an existing shipping container set-up that has obvious design errors.
It will be important to fully resolve all design details before people start to install their fire bunkers so that they don’t become ineffective fire traps instead of saving lives.
Do you have something you can contribute?
17 Comments
As the blaze passes over the bunker, the oxygen will be consumed by the fire. The problem of oxygen supply could perhaps be overcome by using an air compressor. Assuming that the worst of the fire will take about 15 minutes to pass. An air compressor with a full tank of air should provide enough air for a family if they take turns to take a lung full of air. Otherwise
Its great that some architects are offering pro bono assistance on the design of fire bunkers. Australia will be celebrating pro bono assistance on National Pro Bono Day which is May 15 2009. To join the walk for justice that day or to develop your own activity see http://www.nationalprobono.org.au/page.asp?from=3&id=225
I’m working on an update to our water storage book, fire safety section, and I realized that *water tanks often survive a fire*
I think that for little added money, water tanks could be designed to save lives in a fire.
This could be a fruitful area for investigation, especially in areas where rainwater harvesting tanks near the home are common.
I will post what I find on this at:
http://oasisdesign.net/shelter/fire/
Responding to ar. Interesting point regarding the use of rainwater harvesting tanks as shelters. Our company manufactures and installs concrete below ground tanks for most NSW builders in suburban areas as required by the BASIX requirements.
These tanks could be designed to convert into a shelter in fire prone areas. The access manhole would need to be fireproofed and the water in the tank if any, could be pumped out quickly over the roof of the house to allow entry into the tank.
As Mr Crews has mentioned oxygen plays a significant role in any fire although in an emergency it may be the last resort for some people and could save lives.
In the 50s I was brought up with fire bunkers, dugouts and fire safety awareness when living in the Noojee/Jindivick region.
There was a damn sight more forest then, than today. Nothing is new, just lost memory, ignorance of Nature and apathy.
When there is an imminent approach of fire, pure woollen clothing was put on and pure wollen blankets on hand. (Never wet down clothing for the steam creates a human dim sim) The dry wool acts as insulation and provides time to seek shelter.
If caught out in the open (forest) and no shelter, locate a hollow or depression or base of cutting, lie flat on the ground and if possible cover with soil particularly your hair and any uncovered skin. When out bush hicking wear pure cotton if wool is too warm, carry a high quality reflective dual purpose fire blanket in the back pack, always have one in the vehicle and at convenient location in the home.(includes woollen clothing and blanket) 3 simple items for first survival before shelter.
Fire bunkers;- Forget steel shipping containers (bakers ovens),
forget steel or fibro water tanks (they boil before they melt), forget cocrete water tanks (lobster red human).
A fire bunker made of water proof concrete and sunk into the ground covered by atleast 1 metre of soil, clear of the house and possible falling trees, with jutting conning tower like entry from the top, with full over lapping sides, non lockable* storm proof drop lid, would be the safest and because the shelter is below ground level and lidded, oxygen depletion is minimized. The shelter should have telescopic antenae for wireless, always be stocked and refreshed. Have it as a wine cellar and storage for non perishable foods, home made jams, etc. Might as well have a jolly good time during that 20 mins. to 1/2 hour as the fire storm passes over head.
*non lockable;- Children or juveniles playing pranks or an unknown entry, could seal themselves in if the lid is lockable.
Side entry bunkers, not a good idea for several reasons, too many to state.
There is no denying the fact, that before people go out and buy a bunker of dubious qaulity, safety and dubious installation, legislation be formulated under the building code to ensure that any bunkers sold are of Govt. approved design and installation.
CSIRO has some interesting details about what is not known about fire bunkers. Before people go too wild cutting down trees and digging holes, I hope they research the data which is available.
I am writing a very long article about Fire Bunkers which may be of interest to you. It can be found at:
http://home.iprimus.com.au/ianpullar/firebunkers.htm
Feedback welcomed. Regards – Ian Pullar
Thanks Ian – will look out for informed comment.
After the Victorian Bushfires i have researched, specifically designed and Patent a new Flat Pack Fire Bunker. I’m a Structural Enginner with a PHD. Have a look at our site http://www.flatpackfirebunkers.com.au
We are mechanical engineers with a good appreciation of the requirements for surviving a bush fire. We have designed a shelter that is specifically developed to resist the intense radiant heat and have sufficient air volume for each individual (size varies as numbers of individuals specified for shelter). The shelter also includes shielded viewing ports for surveillance in four directions. It is constructed to be partially below ground with enough above ground to judge a safe time to leave. The shelter is designed to be occupied for periods up to at least one hour without significant temperature rise inside from fire. Seating, and provision for water and safety apparel is provided for each occupant. Doors are provided at each end to ensure access for safe entry and exit. The doors cannot be locked so rescue from outside is always possible. Easy stair and ramp options are available. The roof of the shelter is constructured such that it may be used for other purposes thus avoiding loss of yard space.
Additional designs have been prepared for above ground and come either as skid mounted or suited for crane placement. These units may be suitable for firefighters as retreats.
A range of optional equipment has been designed including an auxiliary air unit to improve the safety of some of the other types of units being sold.
We have also designed shutters that will eliminate radiant heat entering windows on houses. These are easily fitted and may be made any size.
Additional information will be made available as requested by contacting the contacts nominated on the website.
Website for the above http://www.wombatsburrow.com.au
We’ve had an email highly recommending Versatile Tanks, http://versatiletanks.com.au/firebunkers/index.html. Speak to Dee.
We have purchased a fire bunker from Versatile Tanks.com.au. I felt the company was fantastic. It is a concrete tank with a door and entry points for power and water. Total weight is 24 ton, it proved a challange to be lowered into place, but alls well now. Dee arranged everything at their end really well, it arrived on time no hassles, unlike lots of other things in a building project. I see from above Gail also recommends them, I second that. Michael Ringland.
Shortly after the Black Saturday disaster, I read a letter (to The Australian) written by Dr Ron Edwards. Dr Edwards was the Federal Member of Parliament for Stirling (WA) from 1983-93. At one time he was Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He had served on the Committee which looked into evidence arising from the Ash Wednesday Bushfires of 1983. It became evident to Dr Edwards that several individuals had survived these fires by crawling into concrete culverts. As a consequence of Ron’s letter, I decided to install a concrete (culvert) fire bunker. The following article appeared in my local newspaper.
http://tiny.cc/DgMO8
I just wanted to add another vote for Versatile Tanks. Dee is fantastic and the tank is really sound. Can’t say enough good about this company.
Hans Mansons comments (11th March 2009) seem an invaluable source of info. I was going to install a shipping container underground but will now consider his advice.
Please take a look at this simple, relatively inexpensive “do-it-yourself” life-saving facility … if trapped in a bushfire situation, it could save YOUR life.