Construction What is the Door-Like Module Used in Bunker Building?

[YoungPhysicist]

In this bunker building video,they use a door like module to make the bunker’s entrance.What exactly is that called?And where can I buy it?

I can’t clearly see what that is,only knowing it is made by a companie “Diall”

 

[ChemAir]

It looks similar to a duct access door. http://www.ruskin.com/category/10~Access-Doors

Before you go and build this, I should point out some things:
1) Digging a hole this deep and getting in and out can be very dangerous, depending on the stability and moisture levels of the soil. Straight vertical walls require bracing/shoring to be sure the sides don't fall into the center of the hole. If a couple of tons of dirt cave-in on a person in the bottom, it is almost impossible to remove them from the hole before they are severely injured or killed. OSHA Trenching and excavation standards. If you can't make the excavation safely, I would discourage doing it at all. I am surprised this video is allowed to stay up considering the hazard level, and they make no provision to prevent future wall collapse that will crush the bunker.
2) This hole will fill with water if it rains. It will percolate through the dirt around the bunker and seep from the walls. Making it watertight while preventing it from floating out of the hole full of water will be something to work on. Also, when wet, the chance for soil collapse gets much higher.
3) There is no provision for ventilation for the person entering. Suffocation in the box is a real concern. Gas present in the ground can accumulate in the closed bunker.

Please view this video as a cute TV show, rather than a real means to construct a bunker. It is obvious they are trying to get views, rather than show something actually safe, effective, or functional. They make no structural provision for soil collapse, there is inadequate attention given to water intrusion, and there is zero attention given to ventilation. There are tons of other things they are doing that are terribly unsafe (working in a hole without means to get out, sliding into the hole off the side, etc.). They are quite fortunate that they are in a place with somewhat cohesive soil. When it rains heavily, this bunker will be a soaked, muddy, mess.

I would suggest going a different route.

 

[CWatters]

+1

They line it with particle board! That's totally inadequate strength wise and goes soggy when wet like Weatabix. They even use it for the roof which you can see bend when he emerges at the start of the video.

I think the door is actually a manhole cover normally use for drain/sewer access. Possibly intended for indoor use with tiled floors although I've seen better versions. That one looks to have an aluminium rather than steel frame?

The whole thing is no better than a film prop. Hope they filled it in after they made the video or someone might fall in after the first rain shower.

 

[ChemAir]

soggy when wet like Weatabix

I had to look that up

. That stuff does bear a striking resemblance to particle board. I'd have said "soggy when wet like Raisin Bran".

 

[russ_watters]

Please view this video as a cute TV show, rather than a real means to construct a bunker. It is obvious they are trying to get views, rather than show something actually safe, effective, or functional.

"Functional"...

Too small to lie down in!

 

[YoungPhysicist]

It looks similar to a duct access door. http://www.ruskin.com/category/10~Access-Doors

Before you go and build this, I should point out some things:
1) Digging a hole this deep and getting in and out can be very dangerous, depending on the stability and moisture levels of the soil. Straight vertical walls require bracing/shoring to be sure the sides don't fall into the center of the hole. If a couple of tons of dirt cave-in on a person in the bottom, it is almost impossible to remove them from the hole before they are severely injured or killed. OSHA Trenching and excavation standards. If you can't make the excavation safely, I would discourage doing it at all. I am surprised this video is allowed to stay up considering the hazard level, and they make no provision to prevent future wall collapse that will crush the bunker.
2) This hole will fill with water if it rains. It will percolate through the dirt around the bunker and seep from the walls. Making it watertight while preventing it from floating out of the hole full of water will be something to work on. Also, when wet, the chance for soil collapse gets much higher.
3) There is no provision for ventilation for the person entering. Suffocation in the box is a real concern. Gas present in the ground can accumulate in the closed bunker.

Please view this video as a cute TV show, rather than a real means to construct a bunker. It is obvious they are trying to get views, rather than show something actually safe, effective, or functional. They make no structural provision for soil collapse, there is inadequate attention given to water intrusion, and there is zero attention given to ventilation. There are tons of other things they are doing that are terribly unsafe (working in a hole without means to get out, sliding into the hole off the side, etc.). They are quite fortunate that they are in a place with somewhat cohesive soil. When it rains heavily, this bunker will be a soaked, muddy, mess.

I would suggest going a different route.

Yeah,I was going to use contrete and bricks to make the lining of the hole.And I am not intending to dig a hole that deep.My plan is around 1.8 meters.

First I was going to do the same thing, But just like what you have said,there is a video on their channel showing that after a couple months, the wooden panels on the side had severely deformed.That is why I am going for the brick and concrete solution.

 

[CWatters]

Yeah,I was going to use contrete and bricks to make the lining of the hole.And I am not intending to dig a hole that deep.My plan is around 1.8 meters.

First I was going to do the same thing, But just like what you have said,there is a video on their channel showing that after a couple months, the wooden panels on the side had severely deformed.That is why I am going for the brick and concrete solution.

Brick and concrete can be porous. You also need to investigate tanking systems as used for basements/cellars.

I'm sure there are plenty of other forums that have a 1000 other things to think about. You should start by working out how long you might have to be down there.

 

[dlgoff]

You should start by working out how long you might have to be down there.

Indeed. One needs a little air once in a while.

 

[YoungPhysicist]

Indeed. One needs a little air once in a while.

http://www.taiwan-fan-tech.com.tw/prod_Info.php?id=79
I am thinking about a mcuh smaller version of things like this.

 

[Tom.G]

Well, you've been warned. @Young physicist, if you want to get old, don't do this.

 

[Rive]

I was going to use contrete and bricks

Please consult with a qualified engineer who is in the building industry and has some experience with basements.There are just too many things with this what will go very wrong if done poorly

We has a kind of similar hole for the water meter (came with the house), built from brick and concrete: just ~ 120cm deep, and it is already clear that bricks are just no good. We will have to redo the whole thing soon.

 

[OCR]

Well, you've been warned.

✔. See Trench Box ... Look here too.


.

 

[DrClaude]

Well, you've been warned. @Young physicist, if you want to get old, don't do this.

Yes, this is getting dangerous. Thread closed.