The fire bunkers can be installed either underground or above ground. Different manufactures sell both underground and above ground bunkers.

Above Ground Bunkers-The Advantages:

• Since being above ground no excavation is needed
• No landslip or drainage problems
• There is easy access from side door
• It can be built on the ground itself and no transportation is therefore needed.
• It can be used for some other purpose when not in use for fire safety.
• Can be built as per customer specification.

The Disadvantages of Above Ground Bunkers:

• There is no natural insulation from earth. This means threat from radiant heat.
• Likely to heat up in hot weather. No cooling inside.
• Fall of tree branches and structures more possible on an above ground fire bunker.
• Additional insulation needed to protect from fire and radiant heat.

If you are caught in a bushfire, and you decide to take shelter in a fire bunker, how long you could stay inside a bunker? Usually during a bushfire, the main fire front passes within 10 to 15 minutes. According to some survivors the time they spent in a bunker ranged from 40 minutes to two hours or more. The intensity of the heat varies with the nature of bushfire, cumbustiable materials around and the local geography. Usually most of the reputed the fire bunker manufactures claim that their bunkers are safe for a minimum four hour stay. Still the best is to stay up to the maximum possible time inside a bunker and leave it when it is confirmed that it is safe to enter out of it. This is important for children and pets. Early release of pets may cause burns from hot surface or other burning materials. There may be half burnt falling tree branches while you are escaping out.