[Bigcountry02]

I did some searching, found information on shipping container from 2007; however, this video dated 23 Dec 2009, Final attempt to recording the building of an underground shelter using a 20ft shipping container.

I would install one; but, lot size too small, HOA and finally the wife!

YouTube - Shipping Container As An Underground Shelter

YouTube - Shipping Container As An Underground Shelter

Final attempt to record building of an underground shelter using a 20 ft. shipping container. For those wondering why I didn't simply pile dirt over it without pouring a concrete cap first..... These containers are mostly sheet metal. Heavy duty as it is, the roof and sides will push inwards from the weight. Eventually the metal will rust through and you'll be buried alive. My way will insure it is still there a few hundred years from now. Problem is, you'd better keep an eye on your sump pump. If it goes bad or loses power, you'll go in one day and find it the whole thing flooded. A surface alarm letting you know the water level is above where it should be isn't a bad idea. Putting the sump pump on a UPS is also a good thing.

Some of the authors comments:

Since there is no down-hill natural drainage, I have to solely depend on the sump pump to prevent flooding. If I could have budgeted it I would have cut a French drain through the bottom and down the hill, but it would have added an additional $7K to do. After a good rain, without the pump the entire cavity would fill with water. Since the creation of this video, I installed a backup pump and an alarm that will sound inside the home should the second pump come on.

All power is tied through a 50A UPS in case of power failure. It can handle the pumps and lights for up to 10 hours. As for sinkage, there isn't any. The bottom of the hole is solid limestone with 6 inches of peat gravel between it and the bottom of the container. The peat gravel allows all the water to move to the reservoirs that contain the sump pumps. On another note.... We have started experiencing 80F days and the temp inside seems to stay at 55. Good for wine making.

[DrumJunkie]

Very nice!

I could see where this could be a doable alternative

[spittinfire]

I think the container would work very well. They're super tough and have a high corosive resistant coating. With 2 pumps, a UPS and everything else, this guy has spent some $$.

[CA357]

It's a good idea, but what about the lack of power in a SHTF situation? Eventually fuel for a generator will be unavailable no matter how much a person stockpiles. There is also the noise factor of running a generator. Not a good thing in some circumstances.

[dunerunner]

You could use a human powered generator, hand crank, bicycle, etc. to charge batteries. Make everythng DC!! No inverter!

The other issue would be waste disposal and fresh air. If you had to seal that thing up in an NBC type of scenario, you'd need a scrubber, and a reliable source of electricity to run the fans.

It would make one cool man cave!!

[Dillinger]

It's a very interesting idea.

I have to say the guy really put a lot of work into making himself a wine cellar. Creative, well done, but a hell of a lot of work.

I think the neighbors would definitely give you a wide berth at the store once they saw what you were doing.

[freefall]

Some neighbors used one as a place to grow dope. They got busted. Not sure why, I didn't know anything about it til I read it in the paper.

[doctherock]

That would be a great mother-in-law room.

[falseharmonix]

Originally Posted by doctherock

That would be a great mother-in-law room.

Never been married, but I've heard that is on-par with a Nuclear Meltdown SHTF scenario.....

[bkt]

They can take a lot of weight from the top, but how are they at pressure from the side? Are they OK? Over long periods of time?

I could see a few of these puppies welded end-to-end or at 45 or 90 degree angles. I could also see my wife flipping out. Still, it's not a bad thought for some extra storage space.