Bomb shelters are a type of structure designed to protect civilians from the effects of a bomb. It can protect people from nuclear war due to its thick walls that can block the radiation from the fallout.
The popularity of these types of shelters started during the Cold War in the 1950s.
Engineers created underground bomb shelters to have temporary protection against shock waves, earthquakes, and overpressure.
Since the 1950s, various bomb shelters have been restored and refurbished. Restoring the underground bomb shelters is a good investment, especially now that our communities face multiple threats from different sources.
Today, more and more people are deciding to build underground shelters on their private properties due to impending disasters or apocalypse.
In five decades, bomb shelter technology has changed. Various companies have proven it is now a far cry from the cheap and quick backyard bunker. Now, bigger, stronger, affordable shelters protect your family from impending danger.
This article will compare the five companies that offer underground bomb shelters to protect us from fallout. Check it out here:
Atlas Survival Shelters
The Atlas Survival Shelters is in Los Angeles, California, and they manufacture NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) underground bomb shelters. They serve any part of America. However, they concentrate on Texas, Utah, Arizona, and California.
R.D. Hubbard founded the company and has been a well-known fabricator and designer in steel manufacturing since 1981.
They have various NBC shelter models, which are the following:
- Corrugated Pipe Shelter
- Backyard Tornado Shelter
- Bolt-on Generator Pod
- Monolithic Concrete Domes
- Mineshaft Survival Shelters
- Hardened Concrete Bunkers
- Deep Earth Bunkers
- Garage Bunkers
Standard Features
The standard features of their unit include an entry hatch with 48 inches of pipe, and 90-degree elbow turns.
The emergency escape hatch is safe and hidden underground to facilitate better exit during tragedies. The materials can also withstand laser cuts.
Meanwhile, the bunk beds include under-the-lid storage, and the floorboards have storage areas too. It also includes a kitchen sink and countertops.
The bulkhead plates measure 3/8 inches, and it has blast valve features.
Meanwhile, the pipe is galvanized corrugated, and the plywood floors are 3/4 inches furniture grade.
The exterior has epoxy paints and includes AC/DC power wiring. It has Swiss-made filtration systems, low voltage lights, six 6-inch air intake pipes, and a toilet room.
Options
The company can customize and add features such as flat-screen television, radiation detectors, camera surveillance, short-wave radios, solar panels, 300 to 5,000-gallon water tanks, a DVD player, more cabinets and beds, and a chemical toilet.
Pricing
- Round Culvert Shelters- 10 x 13 Mini= $ 34,999
- Maxi 10 x 17= $ 39,999
- 10 x 20 = $46,999
- 10 x 21= $49, 999
- Round culvert 10 x 22= $51,999
- 10 x 26= $ 74,999
- Round culvert 10 x 27= $77,999
- 10 x 42= $96,999
Norad Shelters
The Norad Shelter Systems LLC makes underground bomb shelters in Garland, Texas. They have been in the company for almost 40 years, and Walton McCarthy designs the underground shelters with a team of experts.
Meanwhile, all units of Norad Shelters meet the specifications according to the US Handbook of NBC Weapon Fundamentals and Shelter Engineering Design Standards, 6th edition.
They are rated with TRS or Total Rems in Shelter with established radiation sources. It is safe for civilians, military, and corporate customers.
Furthermore, the units comply with the US Department of Defense EMP Shielding specifications. Finally, the company offers bomb shelter units, tornado shelter units, and medical shelters.
Norad Shelters S-Series
The S-Series of the Norad Shelters can protect the occupants from various artificial and natural disasters.
It is available in four models, which are S12 (12 feet wide), S16 (16 feet wide), S24 (24 feet wide), and S30 (30 feet wide).
The length can measure from 16 feet to 24 feet, and it can extend to 8 feet increments so long as there is a suitable ground for installation.
The S-series are the MIL military or civilian. Its hull, corrosion, and foundation are similar in civilian and military shelter models.
It has NBC protection (nuclear, biological, and chemical), EMP (electromagnetic pulse) shielding, an EMP internal generator, an electrical system, pressurized plumbing, and a septic system. It has a steel hull foundation, a 68-degree entranceway, a solar power package, 30 30-inch diameter hatch, and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorber) air filtration.
Solar panels power the civilian units of the Norad shelters, whereas the military units have an internal EMP diesel generator.
On the other hand, you can always upgrade the civilian models to have military features. The S-Series can protect against radiation, biological and chemical threats, war and terrorism, power and infrastructure failure, societal breakdown, and natural disasters.
Pricing
- Guard S10 x 14- $172,500
- Nomad S10 x 20- $226,600
- S 16 x 16- $237, 540
- Outpost-S10 x 40- $326,400
- S16 x 24- $340,570
- S16 x 40- 453,370
Terra Vivos
The Vivos Project was started by an entrepreneur named Robert Vicino in 1980. It is a privately funded venture that aims to protect people during catastrophes.
The company now focuses on creating underground protection against life-extinction events. The Quantum shelters are their underground bunkers; installation can be on your private properties.
The unit is made of stainless steel with 7 mm or 1/4 inches of wall thickness and is cylindrical. It can exceed extreme pressure with its 3-bar design. The shelter measures 40' x 8' x 8.5'. It can accommodate 6 to 8 people. It has a central living area, a kitchen, and a private bathroom. The unit also includes a storage area below and at both ends.
The entry area can survive blast and gamma rays, while the emergency exit shafts have sand that will spill into the shelter to avoid gamma and blast rays.
It also features an NBC or nuclear, biological, and chemical air-filtration, water, and septic systems. Their units also have furniture and food stocks good for one year.
Aside from underground shelters, they also now offer the Vivos Genome Vault. They also offer community or co-ownership shelters such as the Vivos Point (located in the Black Hills area of South Dakota), Vivos Indiana (location unrevealed), and Vivos Europa 1 (located in Europe).
Furthermore, the company also offers survival gear to its customers.
The Rising S Bunkers
The Rising S Bunkers Company is America's leading manufacturer of underground bunkers and bomb shelters, and the company is located in Murchison, Texas. They are composed of experts who provide quality service to their customers. They have been featured in several news articles and blog sites such as Dallas News, Dailymail, Mashable, Independent, The Sun, CNN Style, and The Atlantic.
Apart from serving customers in Texas, the company delivers and installs its products worldwide.
Furthermore, the services of the Rising S Bunkers have been certified by AGTM Engineering LLC, Texas Tech University National Wind Institute, Debris Impact Facility, and Eyncon LLC to withstand loading experience during storms.
The storm shelter meets and exceeds the standard storm shelter requirements defined by the International Code Council and the National Storm Shelter Association standards.
Underground Bomb Shelters
Rising S's bomb shelters and bunkers are made of high-quality steel plates and metals, making them stronger than other brands. It has a 150-year rubber coating that will not cause mold or mildew.
Even if pressure is applied in different parts of the structure, the frame will add strength and distribute weight and pressure in the entire unit. The unit will not collapse immediately, even if there are sudden changes in the surface, and it won't have any weak spots. It is indeed earthquake-safe.
The products of the Rising S Bunkers requires low maintenance, and they will last longer. In addition, it will contract and expand on the ground, unlike fiberglass or concrete, which will crack.
The bunker sits underground, and they can build according to the family's needs. You can have it as large or as small as you want. You can put water storage tanks, a greenhouse, a power room, a gym, living quarters, and even a garage in the underground bomb shelters.
Military Solutions
Meanwhile, they also offer military underground bomb shelters or bunkers.
The design includes NBC air filtration units, hidden security doors, blast valves, bullet-resistant doors, a septic system, water tanks, toilets and showers, a kitchen, and an additional supply unit.
The floor plan can sustain the lives of 71 soldiers. However, the company is still open to any modifications to the design based on the customer's needs.
Pricing
The prices the Rising S Bunkers offers are as follows:
- Economy Survival Shelter- 8 x 12 Mini-Bunker= $ 39,500
- Standard Survival Shelter- 10 x 20 Base Model= $58,500
- 10 x 20 upgraded model = $65,500
- 10 x 30 underground bunker base model = $ 74,500
- underground bunker upgrade model 10 x 30 = $ 80,500
- 10 x 40 underground bunker base model = $ 85,500
- 10 x 40 underground bunker upgraded model= $95,500
The Ultimate Bunker
The Ultimate Bunker is a family-owned and operated company specializing in creating underground bomb shelters. It is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The units are 100% steel, suitable for small and large groups. The bunkers available range from 10 x 20 to 40 x 50.
Meanwhile, the units of the Ultimate Bunker are built to last a lifetime. It has an engineered set of drawings.
For one, it has a 1/4-inch steel plate and beam construction. It also has a 100-year guaranteed exterior epoxy coal-tar coating protection, water-tight features that are welded inside and out, an emergency escape tunnel, and security doors that are bullet and tamper-proof.
Furthermore, the unit gas NBC or nuclear, biological, and chemical filtration system. The company also offers professional installation, and each unit can be customized based on the customer's needs. It meets the FEMA 320 and P 361 shelter specs. It has protected stairs, an exterior hatch, and a lifetime structural warranty.
Pricing
- 10 x 20 Custom Underground Bunker = $59,900
- Custom Underground Bunker, 10 x 30 =$89,900
- 10 x 40= $119,900
- 10 x 50= $159,900
- 40 x 50= $619,900
Review of the Underground Bomb Shelter
In this portion, we will compare the five underground bomb shelter providers.
Features and Materials Used
First, when we talk about the features of each unit, the Norad Shelters, Terra Vivos, and Ultimate Bunkers offer NBC filtration systems on their units.
The NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) Air filters can protect your air supply from contamination, like radioactive fallout and other biological agents.
Meanwhile, the Atlas units are made of galvanized corrugated pipes, and you can customize them according to the user's needs, just like other brands. It can withstand laser cuts and has multiple storage bins under the lid.
The Norad units are more expensive than the four brands because they offer multiple features.
First, it has NBC and EMP shielding, a solar-powered system, and HEPA air filtration. The designs also comply with the US Handbook of NBC Weapon Fundamentals and Shelter Engineering and the US Department of Defense.
Thus, each family is confident that the unit is safe to use.
The Terra Vivos units have one year of food storage, making the families survive. The unit can also withstand blasts and gamma rays.
On the other hand, the Rising S Bunkers and the Ultimate Bunkers are made of 100% steel, which can last a lifetime. The Rising S Bunkers have a 150-year rubber coating to prevent mildew or molds, while the Ultimate Bunker has an epoxy-coal-tar coating on the unit.
Rising S Bunkers is certified by various engineering firms, so it keeps receiving positive customer feedback.
Meanwhile, the Ultimate Bunker has bullet and tamper-proof doors. Thus, each family is safe once they are inside the units.
Price of the Units
Regarding pricing, Atlas Shelters 10 x 20 units costs $46,999, but for Norad, it costs $226,600.
For the Rising S Bunkers, the 10 x 20 costs $58,500, while for the Ultimate Bunkers, it costs around $59,000.
Meanwhile, Terra Vivos keeps its pricing private from its official website, and customers need to contact their admin division to ask for a price list.
Shelter Design Requirements for Underground Bunkers
Make a thorough 'risk assessment' of your area before purchasing an underground bunker, and construct your bunker accordingly. However, unforeseen circumstances can cause your risk assessment to shift.
Experts advise selecting a bunker design that addresses all potential risks. This kind of bunker is called an "All Hazard Shelter."
All Hazard Shelters are designed to withstand violent earth movement caused by strong earthquakes; high-velocity winds from tornadoes and hurricanes, assault from enemies, intense overpressure from nuclear blasts, all forms of radiation, EMP, wildfires, and air contamination caused by fallout and chemical and biological war gasses.
It is significant to note that underground shelters built for nuclear survival meet the full range of specifications for "All Hazard Shelters," buying one of these shelters is just a little more expensive than buying one with fewer features.
Conclusion
In sum, the bomb shelter business is booming due to several factors.
Impending threats are coming from terrorist groups and countries, plus artificial and natural disasters. The world is becoming dangerous, and the best thing to do is prepare and save our family's lives.
The five companies mentioned above are some of the best underground bomb shelter providers we can trust, and they have been on the market for many years.
Indeed, they are experts in their field, and you can visit their official website for quotations.
