S.C.U.P.P. 400
Self-Contained Underground Power Plant
· Shelter Life Support For 36 Months
· Long-Term Electric Power
· No Danger From Poisonous Carbon Monoxide
Fumes
· No Danger of Fire in Building
· No Danger of Explosion in Building
· No Noise Or Vibration in Building
· Safe Underground Fuel Storage
· 10-Year Warranty
ãRegistered Copyright 2002
S.C.U.P.P. 400
The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is
a completely self-contained fiberglass electric power generation plant designed
to provide life support for underground shelters and backup power for other
uses. The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is composed of a double wall 400-gallon fuel tank and
generator. Unlike conventional electric generating plants, everything is all
below ground and designed to work in severe climates and disaster conditions.
The hatch dome and generator access cover are aerodynamically designed to
resist flying debris in up to 300-mph winds from a tornado or hurricane. In
addition, it can withstand an earthquake measuring 8.5 on the Richter scale
with no damage and can survive 5-psi negative pressure from a tornado and
20-psi overpressure from modern weapon detonations. The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is
supplied with 400-gallon double wall fuel tank and an 11 Kw or 20KW slow speed
diesel diesel generator. The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is shipped completely assembled and
can be installed in one day. The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is started electrically at the
engine by removing the access cover and climbing down an aluminum ladder into
the engine compartment or by an underground cable and remote control.
Historical Overview
Common gasoline and diesel generators pose
significant health dangers. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the number one cause
of accidental poisoning in the U.S. During the past decade many people were hospitalized
for breathing carbon monoxide as a result of fuel-powered generators operating
either in the basement or in the garage even with the garage door open.
Buildings are not airtight. When the wind blows or bathroom and kitchen
exhaust fans operate, negative pressure is created in the building drawing in
fumes from the generator. Carbon monoxide fumes are odorless and deadly because
they interfere with the human body's ability to process oxygen. Also during
this time period, many people suffered injuries from fires or explosions as a
result of generators operating unsafely. Power lines, solar panels, and wind
generators are usually the first structures damaged during high winds, which
carry flying debris and are therefore not dependable during emergency
situations. It is this history that created the need to develop the
S.C.U.P.P. 400. Radius Engineering Inc. has been engineering and supplying high
tech underground and self-sufficient products for over 13 years using
modern state-of-the-art computer aided drafting (CAD), computer aided
engineering (CAE), and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Disasters
Between 1970 and 1990 presidents of the United States signed 594 major disaster declarations for territories in the United States. This has averaged more than 2.5 major disasters each month affecting millions of
people. During 1989, 338,689 families qualified for disaster assistance. In
1990 more than 117 million families qualified for disaster assistance. Since 1990 the number and severity of disasters has risen, possibly due
to reduction of the ozone layer and El Nino. The aftermath of disasters such as
earthquakes, tornadoes, blackouts, fires, and hurricanes have created
tremendous hardships on these people who were forced to live without electrical
power for long periods of time.
Without electrical power:
There is no running water because
water pumps require electricity.
There are no operable toilets, sinks, or showers
because there is no running water.
There is no way of using heating furnaces because
they require electricity to fire burners and operate blowers. Refrigerators and
freezers also will not work.
There are no lights to allow normal living in the
nighttime. Common flashlights and camping lights are only able to operate for a
matter of hours.
Driving is extremely dangerous because traffic lights may not be operating. If the roads are
free of fallen debris, and it is possible to drive to a fuel station, there is
no way of getting fuel out of the ground because fuel pumps require
electricity. So it is not always possible to just drive over to the next town
and get the necessary supplies.
The
traditional portable generator placed outside the building is not weatherproof
and not designed to resist fallen or flying debris. If it survives the
disaster, it is not designed to operate for more than a few hours because the
fuel tank is so small. If it operates inside, it often creates severe problems
due to exhaust fumes, heat, vibration, noise, and overheating.
Rebuilding after disasters has been severely hampered
by lack of electrical power. The buildings where power is available, are the
first to get rebuilt, simply because electrical power is available making it
possible to operate construction tools and equipment.
Fuel Tank
The S.C.U.P.P. 400 contains a 400-gallon double wall
fiberglass tank. This design allows the S.C.U.P.P. 400 to remain constrained in
the ground in high water table areas without rising due to hydrostatic pressure
(buoyancy). The S.C.U.P.P. 400 with an empty fuel tank develops 11,570 pounds
of hydrostatic pressure or buoyancy. This buoyancy is resisted by 13,004 lbs of
earth (@ 70 lbs/ft3) covering the gravity dish at the bottom of the
unit plus the weight of the S.C.U.P.P. itself at 1000 lbs. This design meets
the American National Standards Institute (ANSI A58.1) requirements for
buoyancy and the Fire Codes (NFPA 30) for a tank of this size. This size fuel
tank allows approximately 500 hours of operation. The fuel tank is 6 feet below
the ground, which keeps the stored fuel temperature well below the outside air
temperature and usually above freezing temperatures.
Air Manifolds
Air for combustion and cooling enters through the air
inlet in the hatch dome and is exhausted through the air outlet in
the hatch dome. The mechanical configuration of the air inlet system
will allow rain to be sucked through the air inlet hole into the hatch dome
plenum where the rain will drop prior to entering the air blower. The hatch access-cover
is removed by unlocking two padlocks allowing the access cover to be lifted up.
The generator access cover is recessed to be more aerodynamically clean to
resist flying debris during high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. The air inlet
hole is large enough to allow a person’s hand to enter to clear away any
debris. This is particularly important in tornado and hurricane disasters where
the driving wind and water result in mud being packed in every opening.
Leak Detection
The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is manufactured with a double-wall
tank. The fuel tank is a separate fiberglass tank surrounded by a two-inch space.
It is the customer’s responsibility to monitor the fuel tank for any leaks by
visually checking the space surrounding the fuel tank.
Fuel Gage
The fuel volume in the S.C.U.P.P. 400 fuel tank is
determined by the supplied stick gage. The stick gage is inserted into the
2-inch pipe coupling at the top of the tank next to the manual transfer pump.
The depth of the fuel in inches is related to the available gallons
remaining in the tank.
|
Gallons
|
Depth In.
|
|
420
|
28
|
|
406
|
27
|
|
392
|
26
|
|
378
|
25
|
|
364
|
24
|
|
351
|
23
|
|
337
|
22
|
|
323
|
21
|
|
309
|
20
|
|
295
|
19
|
|
281
|
18
|
|
267
|
17
|
|
253
|
16
|
|
239
|
15
|
|
225
|
14
|
|
212
|
13
|
|
198
|
12
|
|
184
|
11
|
|
170
|
10
|
|
156
|
9
|
|
142
|
8
|
|
128
|
7
|
|
114
|
6
|
|
100
|
5
|
|
31
|
4
|
|
0
|
3
|
|
0
|
2
|
|
0
|
1
|
Fill Fuel Tank
1.
Extinguish all cigarettes and
turn off generator.
2.
Open the access cover.
3.
Remove the 2-inch fill cap on the
top of the fuel tank.
4.
If the generator will not be
operating for long enough periods to consume most of the fuel within a year,
add fuel antibacterial liquid for 400 gallons of fuel. One bottle is provided
with the S.C.U.P.P. 400. This should be added every year or two.
5.
If the S.C.U.P.P. 400 is
installed in a cold climate, No. 1 diesel should be used or No. 2 diesel with
diesel antifreeze for 400 gallons of fuel. This can be purchased locally.
6.
Insert the fuel nozzle into the fill
port and refuel, checking visually to see where the level of fuel is. Do not
completely fill the tank to allow for adding fuel biocides each year.
Generator Housing Hatch Dome and Cover
When the S.C.U.P.P. 400 is properly installed, all
that can be seen on the ground is the hatch dome and access cover.
The hatch dome contains the air inlet and air outlet
openings. The generator housing and tank are both vented to the hatch dome.
Operating Capacity
To determine the size generator required, add up all
the running watts of all appliances that are expected to start and run
at the same time. Electric motors require 2 to 3 times the name plate wattages
created during the 1- to 2 second starting surge. If the S.C.U.P.P. is intended
for residential use, the governing appliances are usually the well water pump,
refrigerator, and furnace. The battery bank option eliminates the surge
requirement.
Equipment Running
Watts Starting Watts
Clothes
Washer 1150 3450
Coffee
Maker 1750 1750
Dishwasher
no heat drying 700 2125
Electric
Range 6 element 1500 1500
8 element 2125 2125
Furnace
Blower 1/8 HP 300 800
1/6
HP 500 1250
1/4
HP 600 1600
1/3
HP 700 2125
1/2
HP 875 2350
Light
Bulb (125W) 125 125
Oven 6000 6000
Radio
50-200 50-200
Refrigerator
or freezer 800 3125
Shelter
45 Amp Bat charger 600 600
Television
-color 300 300
Toaster
2 slice 1050 1050
Vacuum
Cleaner 600 1800
Water
Well Pump 1/3 HP 800 2125
1/2
HP 1050 3200
Note: For an underground shelter using a
45-amp battery charger, each hour that the generator is operating will power
the shelter life support (blower and light) for 24 hours.
Air Blower
Cooling and combustion air is supplied by a 115-volt
high-pressure centrifugal blower producing 1200-2000 cfm at operating static
pressure. The blower has an average life of 10,000 hours. It is activated as
soon as the generator starts.
Snow
During very heavy snows, the air inlet, and air
outlet holes may need to be cleared. Once the generator is operating, it will
suck in blowing snow and exhaust it through the air outlet. Should either
become blocked, the generator will overheat and automatically stop before
damage results.
Flood
The S.C.U.P.P. 400 should be installed 2 feet above
the 125-year flood plain. A local surveyor can determine this level. The
generator can also be easily removed.
Generator Exhaust
The generator exhaust is connected to the air plenum
under the hatch dome with a thermally broken stainless steel exhaust pipe.
Combustion and cooling air exit through the hole around this exhaust connection
keeping it cool.
Automatic Off
The generator is equipped with a thermal switch,
which will turn the generator off when it exceeds its maximum operating
temperature. This may happen as a result of the blowers malfunctioning, low oil
level, or if the air inlet/outlet manifolds becoming clogged.
Maintenance
Air manifolds - Make sure that the air manifolds and insect
screens are clear from animal nests, bee nests, grass, snow, mud, etc.
Fuel - Use diesel anti-gel additive (or No. 1
diesel) and anti-bacterial additive as necessary.
Starting - Start the generator each month and run
for a least 15 minutes.
Check interstitial space of the double wall tank
visually for leaks.
Check oil level.
Check generator air filter.
Replace the fuel filter as required based on engines
owner’s manual.
Check water level of battery.
Conforming Standards
The
S.C.U.P.P. 400 conforms to the applicable portions of the following partial
list of engineering standards.
NFPA 30 Flammable and
Combustible Liquids Code
NFPA 30A Automotive and
Marine Service Station Code
ANSI A58.1 Minimum Design
Loads for Buildings and Structures
ANSI B1 American
National Standards Code for Pressure Piping
ANSI B31.3 Petroleum Refinery
Equipment
ANSI B31.4 Liquid Petroleum
Transportation Piping Systems
ASTM D 256-81 Impact Resistance
ASTM D 396 Specification for Fuel Oils
ASTM D 790-81 Flexural Strength
ASTM D 543-87 Tests for Resistance of Plastics to
Chemical Reagents
ASTM D 581 Chemical Resistance
ASTM D 2584 Material Composition
ASTM D 4032-1 Tank Material
U.L. 1316 Glass Fiber
Reinforced Plastic Underground Storage Tanks for
Petroleum Products
Shipping
The S.C.U.P.P. 400 weighs approximately 2500 pounds
and can be shipped by common carrier with a double trop trailer and overwidth
permits. The S.C.U.P.P. 400 is shipped stabilized on the truck floor by four fiberglass
blocks which are to be returned to Radius by UPS after off-loading. The SCUPP
400 can be off-load using the same excavator that digs the hole. The excavator
must be able to lift at 13.5 ft above ground to off-load the SCUPP 400.
Decontamination
The SCUPP 400 can operate in NBC
(nuclear-biological-chemical) warfare environments. The inside of the
S.C.U.P.P. housing and generator will become contaminated only if the generator
is operating in an NBC environment. NBC contaminants do not affect the
generator’s performance unless an extreme amount of dust and fallout clog the
air intake filter.
Decontamination is performed in two phases.
Phase 1 In
the first phase, a spray bottle with 10% chlorine and water in simply sprayed
into the air inlet of the hatch dome and all over the exterior of the hatch
dome and access cover while the generator is operating. It will require
approximately 1 quart of this solution for this phase.
Phase 2 In
the second phase, a person wearing a simple paper suit, gas mask, and rubber
gloves does the following:
1.
Remove the generator access cover
and turn the generator off.
2.
Wait 30 to 60 minutes until the
generator cools down.
3.
A second quart of the chlorine
solution is then directly sprayed onto all areas inside the S.C.U.P.P. housing
and generator.
4.
Remove the air blower cover and
spray all parts of the air blower.
5.
Replace the air blower cover.
6.
Remove the air filter and spray
with chlorine solution. Squeeze out all the moisture in the sponge air filter.
7.
After a few minutes the generator
can be turned on and the hatch dome access cover should be secured back in
place.
8.
The generator should operate with
the access cover in place for 15 to 30 minutes to dry all surfaces.
Warranty
RADIUS ENGINEERING INC. Guarantees that the
fiberglass parts of the S.C.U.P.P. 400 will not leak, corrode, or structurally
fail for a period of 10 years provided that 1) the S.C.U.P.P. 400 is not
modified 2) the S.C.U.P.P. 400 is properly inspected, off-loaded, and installed.
3) the S.C.U.P.P. 400 is properly operated and maintained.
This warranty does not apply to the engine or
generator. These items are covered by individual manufacturers. RADIUS
ENGINEERING INC. reserves the right to change any specification without notice.
Our liability under this warranty shall be limited
to, at our option, repair of the S.C.U.P.P. 400, or delivery of a replacement
unit to the point of original delivery, or refund of the original purchase
price. We shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential damages, labor,
or installation costs.
Installation Procedures
1.
Check For Damage (Inpsect the S.C.U.P.P. 400 for damage, which may
have occurred during shipping. Report any indication of damage immediately to
the shipper and Radius Defense and Engineering.
2.
Excavation- (a) Stake out the corners of the hole and ditch to
be excavated. The S.C.U.P.P. must be at least 10 feet away from any building.
(b) Confirm the absence of power lines, gas lines, telephone lines, water
pipes, sewer pipes, etc. by calling DIG SAFE. (c) Excavate a hole that is 12
feet wide by 12 feet long and 82 inches deep. This hole usually requires
approximately 30 minutes to dig depending on the size of the excavator. (d) For
the power lines from the generator, excavate a ditch that is 12 inches deep and
as narrow as possible from the hole to the underground shelter and building.
3.
Pea Stone Bed- (a) Build a bed of pea stone that is 6 inches deep
on the floor of the excavated hole. (b) Check the height from the pea stone bed
to the surface of the ground. The height should be 74-76 inches. The
installation will require approximately 6 yards of pea stone including the pea
stone bed.
4.
Off Loading Into Hole- (a) Attach a lifting strap or
chain to the lifting eyes on the side wall. DO NOT LIFT S.C.U.P.P. 400 WITH
FUEL IN THE TANK. (b) Lower the S.C.U.P.P. 400 into the hole and set on gravel
bed.
5.
Leveling- (a) Place a level across the underside of the hatch
dome. (b) Shovel stone under the base of the tank until it is stable and
level. (c) Check to make sure that the hatch dome is at or above the
surrounding ground level.
6.
Backfill Base-Continue to shovel stone under the base of the tank
in 6-inch lifts or increments all around the tank. It is very important that
there be no gaps or voids under the base of the S.C.U.P.P. 400. Continue
backfilling to the top of the fuel tank.
7.
Backfill- (a) Continue to backfill the S.C.U.P.P. 400 with
pea stone/gravel in 6-inch increments evenly around the entire S.C.U.P.P. 400 to
within 6 inches of ground level. (b) Use the surrounding soil to backfill the
last 6 inches and taper out so water drains away from the generator-housing
ring. If gravel or sand it used or some material that is not self compacting, a
Jumping Jack compactor must be used every 6-12 inches of backfill depth.
8.
Power Cable Connection- The S.C.U.P.P. 400 comes with two through hull pipe
couplings through which one underground electrical cable is connected to the
shelter and one is connected to a house or other equipment. Employ a licensed
electrician to connect the power cable to the building main electrical line
using a transfer switch (not supplied). This usually requires approximately two
hours.
