Fallout Shelters Developed by DFPA

A series of practical, economical fallout shelters, some of them simple enough for do-it-yourself construction, has been developed by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association in cooperation with Federal authorities.

Shelters that can be built under ground, in basements or above ground are included in the series, which meets requirements set down by civil defense planners.

Booklet and Drawings Available

A booklet outlining necessary preparation of a shelter, along with descriptions of the three DFPA designs, is being offered to the public and separate working drawings for each design have been prepared. Single copies are available free from DFPA, Tacoma 2, Wash. The booklets also are available in quantity and are a valuable sales aid for building supply houses planning to offer materials or panelized shelters.

The underground provides protection from even the heaviest fallout concentration and will resist blast from a 2O megaton bomb dropped seven miles away. Located as recommended under three feet of earth, the shelter is strong enough to shrug off the weight of cars normally parked on top and its joints were successfully tested in laboratory to withstand a l0-foot head of water. This means it could be built 10 feet under lvater without leaking.

While underground shelters are recognized as offering maximum safety, many families will prefer the basement structure. DFPA's design affords at least five times the protection of an ordinary below-grade basement and 20 times the safety of a daylight basement protected on two sides.

One of the above-ground shelters delivers essentially the same protection as tfie below-ground model. Another model offers more protection against fallout than the basement shelter and is most suitable for construction away from prime target areas and the danger of heavy blast.

Completely.ossembled follout shelter is lowerad into tho excovolion, Eorth is rhen bockfilled oround the sides ond three feet of eorth loqded on top. The sheltar, ossemblcd from full-size rheets of pressure treoled fir plywood ond 8-foot 2x8s, re3i3l3 o l0-foor

The association estimates that materials cost for the basic shelters will run from about $250 for the least expensive basement model to $800-$900 for the underground design. Contracted prices would range from $400 up to $1500 for an underground shelter complete with ventilating system. All of the shelters use lumber and plywood in standard sizes and only the underground model, with its major excavation, is outside the abilities of an ordinary skilled do-it-yourselfer. The basement model incorporates concrete block in its design, but eliminates the need for mortaring the joints, one of the biggest headaches for the handyman.

Space For At Least Six Persons

The basic design for each shelter contains about 64 square feet of usable living space, the minimum for six persons. The shelter is an eight by eight foot box, assembled from preframed lumber and plywood. In the DFPA prototype, panels were prefabricated and hauled to the site, where the shelter was assembled before being lowered into the excavation. In-place assembly also is practical. The panels can easily be produced by dealers or builders familiar with the Lu-Re-Co system and will be available through licensees of Plywood Fabricator Service, Inc.

All building materials for the underground shelter must be treated against decay. Plywood is purchased pressure treated ancl the same handling is recommended for framing lumber, although careful application of preservative is satisfactory. A special nail and water tight joint treatment also are speclneo.

Earth is backfilled around the sides, then the top covered with three feet of earth. All that is visible above ground are two ventilation pipes and the lid of a ladder shaft. The design includes details on venting and DFPA's booklet provides complete information on stocking the shelter.

The basement shelter is the easiest to build and consists basically of dry-laid concrete block sandwiched between two layers of fir plywood. Unlike the underground model, this shelter can have a dual use as a storage room, darkroom, workshop, etc. The plywood walls make it possible to finish the structure attractively and prevent it from

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