Site Selection

Selecting the suitable site for Your Fire Proof Shelter

The most important decision that you need to make concerning your Fire Bunker is where to have it installed. You need to have a good safe spot away form structures and over hanging trees, with access for the excavator or back hoe, and access for our crane truck. Your Fire shelter must be installed 500 – 900mm underground at least for insulation via the earth, and having soil over the top allows you to landscape the area.

Can I install my Fire Proof shelter under my house?

Definitely NOT! There is far too much risk of debris falling and blocking exits, other materials releasing toxic gasses, and large long burning objects preventing a safe exit.

I have trees that are in close proximity, and I am concerned they will fall over the exit!

The ideal way to prevent this is to clear a safe zone around the fire shelter vicinity, if that’s not practical then we can install roll bars to deflect branches and debris away from the exit.

Where is the best placement for the Fire Bunker ?

The simplest and easiest installation is using the Top Entry Fire Bunker in an open area, with low fuel loads. This might be the front or back lawn, a house paddock, or the side of the driveway. Side entry Fire Shelters can go into hillsides as long as the door is protected by an earth or concrete shield to block radiant heat. Keep in mind we are looking for the safest place away from threat of falling structures with quick easy access. Side entry owners will need to plan their earth retainers, top entry owners will need to plan a way to retain the earth around hatches.

Watch this video of a recent installation:

How Strong are the Fire Shelters, what if a vehicle drives over it?

This is exactly why you MUST make sure the Fire Proof Shelter you install is rated to withstand light traffic class! Our Fire Bunkers are constructed with 100mm High Density Concrete on the top to give you maximum strength and protection from all external threats.

It is a good idea to use a sign or reflectors to alert a vehicle that a structure is beneath your lawn.

What about access to Install my Fire Shelter?

To have the hole dug, you will need access for either an excavator or a back hoe. For delivery of your Fire Proof Shelter we require access for the truck and ability to either reverse right up to the hole, or drive along side it. In cases where we cannot access your hole with the crane truck there are other alternatives for tight locations that will require a quotation for each individual site. You can Contact Us for site inspections or more advice. Often, even emailed pictures of the site will provide us with enough information.

Telephone:  Craig Morrison on 0439 868 455 for more information