Secure Spaces

What is the probability of a terrorist attack in my area?
If my home was built according to local codes do I still need a safe room?
What about nuclear protection?
What are the dangers of nuclear radiation?
Will my safe room protect my family from a nuclear bomb detonation?
What about chemical plants in my area?
How do I determine weather or not to conceal my safe room?
Can my safe room be used as a place of refuge during a flood?
What determines which products are recommended by Secure Spaces?
How much do safe rooms cost?
If I order a Threat Protection Recommendation package how long will it take to receive it.

1. What is the probability of a terrorist attack in my area?

Government authorities have identified over 100 cities that have the greatest risk of a terrorist attack based on strategic significance or size. Even if you are not in one of these 100 plus cities, terrorists may choose to bomb other targets such as nuclear plants and chemical plants that could cause great damage and lost of life in rural areas.

As an open society, America is extremely vulnerable to terrorist attacks. There are hundreds of ways that terrorists can attack us -- ranging from sniper attacks ... to poisoning our food supplies ... to suicide bombings ... to attacks with biological, chemical, and radiological or nuclear weapons.

Would terrorists use these weapons on the U.S.? Most experts agree, "in a heartbeat."

2. If my home was built according to local codes do I still need a safe room?

Despite the advances of U.S. building codes in recent decades, purchasing a newly built home does not ensure that it can survive the effects of a powerful storm. If your home is up to local building codes, that means it was probably built to withstand the effects of minimum, "code-approved" wind speeds. These are determined based on the weather history of your part of the country. However, a tornado or hurricane can produce winds that are much stronger than the "code-approved" velocity that builders are required to consider.

3. What about nuclear protection?

Analysts have warned that terrorists would not need to master the complex technology of a nuclear explosion or intercontinental missile guidance. They could pack radioactive material around a core of conventional explosives for a lesser bang -- but lots of contamination.

Such a "dirty bomb" attack might well be more survivable with a fallout shelter.

Various insider information has surfaced that indicates that Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network has been eager to acquire radioactive material. In the aftermath of September 11, scenarios that have particularly worried homeland security officials include the detonation of a "dirty bomb"--an ordinary explosive laced with radioactive material--and the sabotage of a nuclear power plant with the intent to release radiation into the environment. In May 2002, the United States arrested an alleged al-Qaeda terrorist plotting to build and detonate a dirty bomb.

4. What are the dangers of nuclear radiation?

The exact biological effects of radiation exposure are not fully understood, scientists say. But we do know of two possible effects: the direct damage known as "radiation sickness" and an increased likelihood of developing cancer later on.

What is radiation sickness?

The illness takes different forms depending on the degree of exposure.

Exposure to up to 20 times the annual background dose of radiation received by the average American would have no discernible effect.
Up to 400 times the annual background dose would cause mild changes in the composition of the human blood and some temporary nausea or vomiting.
Up to 1,000 times the annual background dose would cause nausea, vomiting, hair loss, reduced immune system function, and serious blood disease.
Still higher doses--such as those that would hit unshielded workers inside a catastrophically sabotaged nuclear reactor--could cause severe dehydration, anemia, hemorrhaging, and infections. Such doses would kill 80 to 100 percent of the people exposed.

5. Will my safe room protect my family from a nuclear bomb detonation?

Depending on the magnitude and proximity of the blast the safe room will provide some level of structural protection. The safe room however is not designed to withstand a large magnitude blast in close proximity. If this is a threat you wish to address we have included recommended prefabricated underground shelters designed for this purpose. You may chose to augment a purchase of a prefabricated shelter by acquiring Threat Protection Recommendations Package #4 specifically designed to outfit your shelter for a long term stay and radiation protection for eventual evacuation.

6. What about chemical plants in my area?

Chemical facilities are found all over the United States. According to government reports, there are over 100 chemical facilities located in 30 cities in 25 states in the United States that could threaten a million or more people in the event of an attack or accident. According to the Brookings Institute, U.S. chemical plants represent the third highest risk of fatalities from possible terrorist attacks.

In addition to the chemical plants - freight trains carry shipments of extremely toxic chemicals through our nation's most populated cities. If you live within a few miles of a major rail line Ð you could be at risk.

A U.S. Army's Surgeon General report estimated that more than two million people could be killed or injured in a terrorist attack on a U.S. chemical plant.

7. How do I determine weather or not to conceal my safe room?

A general rule that applies here is "if they can't find it they can't steal it". In the case of a safe room you can also say if they can't find you they can't harm you. You therefore gain the greatest advantage of concealment when designing for either Home Invasion or Civil Unrest. These are the two situations in which we suggest you do not compromise by trying to utilize your safe room for everyday functions. It is always true that concealment provides the most security for the supplies stored in the room. However even a secondary layer of concealment can be provided for these items while opening the safe room for everyday use.

8. Can my safe room be used as a place of refuge during a flood?

A safe room is not recommended for use during a flood. Although the safe room is a relatively air tight space, it is not waterproof. During a flood you should evacuate the area taking your preparations stored in your safe room with you. With the proper preparations and procedures as addressed in Threat Protection Recommendations Package #3 evacuation and recovery staging can be accomplished minimizing the disruption to your life and positioning yourself to be an asset to the other members of your community.

9. What determines which products are recommended by Secure Spaces?

We endeavor to select the highest quality products available while keeping in mind that these products must perform when called upon but will be called upon on a limited basis. These products are included to provide a specific function likely to be encountered during and after the events caused by the realization of one or more of the threats specifically designed for. The companies selected to provide these products are determined by the level of customer support and their ability to provide responsive service during normal operations and times of crises.

10. How much do safe rooms cost?

Manufactured safe rooms start at $3,000 and go up to around $500,000 for a fully equipped bunker for a large family. This does not include installation or any equipment or supplies.

Typical features of basic safe rooms include Ð fortified interior room of the house to withstand high winds (tornados, hurricanes) and forced break ins (home invasion). These basic safe rooms would include fortified walls (bullet resistant) and a bullet/blast proof door with dead-bolt locks (for protection from home invasions and civil unrest).

Typical features of high end safe rooms include:

several separate sources for communication
air filtration systems
camera surveillance systems
water filtering systems
reserve power sources (generators, batteries)
bullet-proof doors
a decontamination station (for chemical and biological attacks or accidents).

Safe rooms can be built into a floor or hidden behind shelves or a bookcase. These rooms can be designed and built in secret by a carefully screened team of architects and engineers. Other options include fortifying walk-in closets off the master bedrooms or dressing rooms. All rooms should have communications systems available in the room.

11. If I order a Threat Protection Recommendation package how long will it take to receive it.

Once you pay for your order, you will receive immediate online access to the threat Protection Recommendations questionnaire for the package that you purchases. Once you complete the questions on the questionnaire online or my mail, we should be able to send you your customized recommendations within 10 to 20 working days.