The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-04-21
Issued by
Division of Civil Protection
State Defense Council
of Florida
-. =.
Tallahassee

protection during air raids ex-
cept against direct hits. In order
that the trench shall be clear of
any chance of being buried under
wreckage it should be at least 20
feet from a building, and a dis
lance of 80 feet is better. The
trap door should be as far away
from. buildings as possible, and
if nearer than 40 feet to any
building, lit should be covered
with sheet asbestos and prefer
ably have a metal frame in order
to secure protection from the
heat caused by burning build
ing.
2. A complete trench of SIM
pie construction to accommodate
six persons.
8. The bottom OF the trench is,
if possible, feet below ground
level except in locations where
the ground water is nearer the
surface than 6 feet. In such To-
cations the bottom of the trench
must be at least foot above
ground water level and protec-
ton must be secured by building
earth mounds at each side OF the
trench. The width of the trench
is 8 #. 6 in. at the bottom and
A #. 6 in. at the top. 1t is di-
vided Into three sections.
(ar A shelter, 10 feet long,
in which the occupants sit on
a seat along one side.
(b) A covered entrance,
feet long, with sloping gas
curtain resting against a wood
en- frame.
(c) An entrance, 3 feet long,
giving access to the shelter
from the outside by means of
q ladder. Over the entrance is
a wooden or metal cover or trap
in order to exclude rain and
gas laden air. The bottom OF
this entrance should be lower
than the floor of the trench,
to collect any water leaking
into the trench.
A. The trench is lined to pre-
vent Sides falling in. This can be
done using corrugated iron sheets
held in place by wooden frames.
These. frames consist of 2 x in.
uprights on each side of the
trench, placed at 3-foot intervals,
with 2 x in. spreaders fixed be-
tween. them at the top and bot
tom to hold apart. Instead OF
iron, wooden boards or sheets OF
pressed wood or any other avail
able and suitable material can be
used for the lining. In locations
where the earth is not perfectly
stable it is recommended that
these frames be placed closer
than three feet. In very sandy
locations spacing as close as IL
inches is.recommended.
S. The top of the trench, ex-
cept the entrance, is covered with
the earth which is obtained from
the excavation. The earth is
carried on a roof consisting OF
corrugated iron sheets laid on
2x6 in. wooden joists 2 feet
apart resting on x 6 in. plates.
Two by four in. joists may be
used, but if they are used they
must be placed about IL inches
apart. Wooden boards, pressed
wood or other suitable material
NAV be used in the roof instead
of the corrugated iron.
6. The gas curtain can be
made of blanket. Light wood
Stats are fastened to the blanket
about two feet apart to keep it
hanging flat and closely against the
inclined frame. Twelve inches OF
blanket should be left trailing on
the ground to prevent air passing
underneath it. In actual use the
blanket should be kept wet Wher
not in use the blanket should be
rolled up the inclined frame anc
held at the top by cords.
z. The digging can be done ir
stages. One of the advantages o.
trench is that il will afford some
protection at any stage of its con
struction.
In ordinary medium soil single
digger should be able to excavatt
from go to 80 cubic feet in foul
hours and his first step should bC
10 dig the shelter chamber, 10 fee
long, to depth of feet. Wher
this has been completed the 81,
occupants will obtain protection
from splinters and blast by sittin.
on the bottom of the trench.
Thereafter the trench can b,
dug and improved as opportunit.
offers One man working aloa'
should be able to do all the exca
walton nseevn periods of 3 to
hours each.
The fitting of the lining Of tn
sides will require at least tw
workers. When it has been com
pleted, the plates. joists and cor
rugated iron for the roof shoult
be fixed in position and final,
the earth placed on the corrugate'
iron sheets. The earth face owe
the entrance should rest against