Efficacy of bomb shelters: With lessons from the Hamburg firestorm

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Southern Medical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00007611-199007000-00022· OSTI ID:6877815

Lucas, K A; Orient, J M; Robinson, A; Maccabee, H; Morris, P; Looney, G; Klinghoffer, M ^[1]

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1. Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, AZ (USA)

Shelters for protection against the effects of nuclear weapons are often stated to be useless, largely because of firestorms. Recent models purport to show that nuclear weapons are more likely to cause firestorms than previously thought. These controversial models are based on uncertain assumptions, which are difficult or impossible to test. Regardless of the predictive validity of fire models, conclusions about the ability of shelters to protect their occupants against firestorms, if they occur, are based primarily on historical experience. A review of the original data from the Hamburg firestorm shows that almost all persons in adequate shelters survived, contradicting a currently prevailing belief that all died. The results of the strategic bombing during World War II and of nuclear weapons tests show that a considerable level of population protection can be achieved through attention to proper shelter design.

• OSTI ID: 6877815
• Journal Information: Southern Medical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Southern Medical Journal; (USA) Vol. 83:7; ISSN SMJOA; ISSN 0038-4348
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450000* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
ASIA
BOMBS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CIVIL DEFENSE
EFFICIENCY
EUROPE
EXPLOSIONS
FALLOUT SHELTERS
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FIRES
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
JAPAN
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROTECTION
SHELTERS
WARFARE
WEAPONS
WESTERN EUROPE