Q & A
How long would I have to stay in a shelter?
For nuclear weapons, 30 days is the established time period if you are close to ground zero. After this time the radiation levels are almost normal. For chemical weapons, the persistence time can be set to be potent for 1-20 days.
How much shielding does the fiberglass structure provide against radiation?
The fiberglass hull actually provides no shielding. The earth over the hull provides the required radiation shielding.
Do I need a building permit to install a Radius Shelter?
No in almost all cases. The smaller shelters have no foundation and are therefore not considered a permanent structure and therefore do not require a building permit. The larger shelters have fiberglass bases and fiberglass floors. This results in a hole that is more shallow and it allows articulation in each arch base. It also means that there is no waiting for concrete to cure.
How long will the Radius shelter last underground?
The structural fiberglass has a life span of approximately 300 years. It is not subject to corrosion and maintains its pressure resistance over the first 150 years with almost no degradation.
Can the shelter be installed below the water table?
Yes, the shelters are all designed to be below a water table reaching the ground surface. The weight of the earth over the shelter provides 1.2 times the uplifting force of hydrostatic pressure when the water table reaches the surface.
Will radiation from a nuclear weapon destroy the atmosphere and all crops?
The United States Department of Energy and Department of Defense have tested hundreds of nuclear weapons above ground prior to the nuclear test ban treaty of 1962. We are all still alive and crops in the area are still growing.
Can enemy target acquisition equipment find a Radius shelter?
Usually not, there is no steel used in the construction of the hull and the larger community shelters have composite bases and no steel. The exhaust air is diffused at the surface making thermal detection difficult and camouflage (deception) keeps prying eyes and pattern recognition systems from finding the shelter.
How does EMP (electromagnetic Pulse) affect a Radius Shelter?
The earth above a Radius shelter absorbs the free electrons of a magnetic pulse so that not enough get through to induce a damaging current in shelter protected electronics.
What type of people purchase Radius Shelters?
Families who are concerned for the welfare of their family members purchase the preassembled shelters. The larger shelters assembled on site are usually purchased by groups and divided into apartments or companies to protect key assets. The cost of the shelter system can be expensed as security equipment.
I live in an area where there are high levels of Radon gas in the ground. Will the Radius shelter provide protection from Radon?
The hull is water-tight and gas-tight. It will not allow this gas or any other gas like methane to penetrate the hull and build up inside the shelter.
Do I need permission from the US Government to purchase and install a Radius shelter?
Radius shelters can be installed anywhere in the US without any permission from the US Department of Defense. However, customers sign a statement that the shelter is not to be resold or transported outside of the country without an export license from the US Department of Defense.
How do people who are claustrophobic live in an underground shelter?
Radius shelters are comfortable, roomy, dry and bright allowing reading anywhere in the shelter and walls are bowed or curved outward so there is no claustrophobic feeling. A scanner allows shelterists to listen to the outside world and a HAM radio enables shelterists to get help if needed. Networked cameras can provide a view of the outside world. Satellite phones and satellite TV still work after most disasters if their distant ground stations are not compromised. Remember, the electronics need to be stored in the shelter in order to be protected
