Thread: Is there anyway to make a house airtight when needed?

Just read an article about the threat of terrorists letting out poison gas on a city, which would be pretty devastating.
So a thought; is it possible to have a house airtight, but not living in a concrete bunker?

I'm thinking like having a normal house, but when needed everything get's locked and natural ventilation, vents and stuff is closed so no new air gets in.

Best bet,... stock up on some gas masks. It's a cheaper solution to your question. And follow that up with food, water, and ammo....
The ammo is for your guns

Ronix

I'm sure it's possible, but I'd rather wear a mask and create special chambers for things that can't be done with a mask on and it'd have a decontamination room where you come in and out of.

You would never want a house air tight. No outside ventilation or anything...yikes talk about stale air.

Not possible, and if so you 'd die, like putting your head in a plastic bag. Try it :-)

Originally Posted by sy1616

Not possible, and if so you 'd die, like putting your head in a plastic bag. Try it :-)

It would be a long time until you expire though. Best case scenario is sealed room(s) with supporting air filtration. Even then I see it being a waste, statistically the best way to survive a chemical attack is get as far up as possible (hill, mountain, roof)

you do not want to do this. Being Canadian - I grew up in homes that were built much more 'air-tight' because of cost of heating during the winter. if yu get too air tight you have to start worrying about Radon gas build up, which is cancer causing. It occurs naturally and usually drift away, but if your home is too tight, it seeps up from the ground and cannot escape - held in the house around your family.

Sorry guys, let me clarify; I'm looking for a way to make it airtight when needed. Not all the time.
And yes, a air-cleaner is to be used when this system is active.

Gas masks won't be a viable solution. You wont be able to eat after you have worn it. plus you food will be contaminated. Only a room with a filtration device will keep you alive.
You could use your gas mask only for a while to try to escape the gassed areas not as a solution.

no, not dependably without going full on bunker. Even if it was built from the ground up with airtight capability in mind, it would need to be tested on a regular basis to make sure that no leaks developed and that gaskets on the seals were in good shape. One idea that came to mind though would be a deluge system that pumped a continuous waterfall over any exposed vulnerable areas. it would have to be tested against the various possible gasses that might be released but I assume it would be pretty effective against particulates.