There are a few key things to consider before launching headlong into the construction of your RECESS. Foremost is space. A proper RECESS will safely and comfortably accommodate your family through the long emergency. Living in a bunker, even for just a few days, can be a challenging and unpleasant experience. A little consideration of your spacial needs and concerns can go a long way to ensuring a tolerable, if not enjoyable experience. The internet is awash with resources. A pool > RECESS conversion may leave you with a space limited by the dimensions of the existing hole. In my situation, this space was more than adequate... albeit a little short.
My plan borrowed largely from the formulas found in bomb shelter how-to guides issued by FEMA. You can find them all here: (that is, if you trust the government)
- Home Outside Concrete Shelter -- This FEMA pamphlet provides plans for constructing a separate below-ground shelter (632Kb, PDF).
- Aboveground Home Shelter -- "Intended for persons who prefer an aboveground shelter," this pamphlet provides schematics for building a shelter to survive 5 p.s.i. over-pressures (806kb, PDF).
- Home Fallout Shelter (Plan A) -- These plans detail the building of a "modified ceiling shelter-basement location (526kb, PDF).
- Home Fallout Shelter (Plan C) -- These plans detail a concrete block shelter-basement location (223kb, PDF).
- Home Fallout Shelter (Plan E) -- These plans show how to construct a tilt-up storage unit shelter (319kb, PDF).
- Home Fallout Shelter (Plan F) -- These plans illustrate how to create a lean-to shelter in a home basement (279KB, PDF).
