Prepare Home for Wildfires: Fire Bunker

If you don’t have a fire bunker yet, you’ll want to consider one. These are important in the event of wildfires, especially if your home is remote.

There was once a time people were given evacuation plans, but the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009 that killed 164 people led to some questions about evacuation plans. Is it better to have something similar to a bomb shelter but for fires?

Evacuation Isn’t Always Possible

Depending on the area and severity of the fire, evacuation isn’t always possible. In fact, it can end up being more dangerous. Having a bunker instead could be a safer option while waiting for fire crews to get out to you.
Of course, there are fears that a fire bunker will leave you trapped. There’s the fear that smoke will get in, leaving you to suffocate, or there’s the fear that it gets too hot due to the temperatures around you. It’s all about create a fire-safe bunker. There are no standards in America, but it’s worth looking at Australian standards to get a minimal idea as Australia moves toward fire bunkers.

The Cost of a Fire Bunker

This is not going to be a cheap addition to your home It can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started. Just to be able to get a permit to make it, you may need to call it a “wine cellar.” If you opt for anything cheaper than that, you’ll run the risk of using the wrong materials.

Fire bunkers need to be able to keep the radiant heat out for at least an hour, giving fire crews time to get in and start dealing with the flames. You also need heavy material that is going to withstand the flames and debris crashing down on it, so the walls don’t cave in. Then there’s the need for an auxiliary air supply or a way to make it airtight to ensure you have the time in there without the air being sucked out by the fire.

The material is important. You need a steel frame for the door, and a door that opens inward should debris fall outside. Fire-rated plasterboard, heavy timber, and non-porous concrete are good options for building the bunker.

Where to Build Your Fire Bunker

Where should the fire bunker be? Many people will choose the cellar, and that makes sense. The bunker is in the house and easily accessible. However, there is the risk of the house collapsing on top of it, so you need to ensure it is strong enough for this.

Building it outside of the home is safer overall. You’ll want to make sure it’s 30ft away from a structure, but not more than 120ft from the house. It needs to be easily accessible in the dark or in heavy smoke, and you don’t want to build it on the top of a hill as that will take you longer to get there.

It may be tempting to add phone lines or a window, but these can cause extra threats as you create a weak point in your bunker. The external vent is the best option for airflow. The only additions you’ll need is some water, food, and clothing in case you’re stuck there for a couple of days.