Mr. Rawles:
Utah Shelter Systems sells pre-fab shelters built inside culvert pipe. At $38,000 for a 10×25 pipe based shelter, it’s not cheap but it is a complete solution including two entrance/exit ways with blast doors, ventilation, bunks, shelving, lighting, and so on. The bunks, flooring system, and other furnishings all seem designed to maximize storage space. – BR
JWR Replies: There are a number of approaches for hard shelters that work well. Buried galvanized culvert pipe shelters are just one of them. Other folks say that they like underground poly or steel tanks, while others insist on reinforced concrete. Good drainage is essential, regardless of where you live. In areas with high water tables, I highly recommend aboveground reinforced concrete shelters, such as those made by Safecastle. I realize that there are indeed below-ground shelters that can be built in those areas with a supplemental sump pump. But after all, our view of the future here at SurvivalBlog includes the prospect of extended periods without grid power.