Manchester Dealer's Big A.R.P. Plan R ESPONSIBILITY for providing adequate air-raid
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protection for employees has presented a problem of some magnitude to many concerns, since there is little possibility of drawing on previous experience. This difficulty was, however, foreseen by Blakes Motors, Ltd., the large commercialvehicle distributor in Manchester, and for several months plans have been in preparation and information has been sought on various aspects of the work.
As a result, building operations have been commenced on a shelter that will afford accommodation for the staff of nearly 200, as well as for employees of certain smaller concerns in the vicinity.
The shelter is situated beneath part 26 of the company's works in Salford, and would have the protection of five storeys overhead. Immediately above the shelter is the existing arched floor, which is being supplemented by a reinforced concrete slab capable of withstanding enormous stresses. The walls are to be of reinforced brickwork in cement. Great strength will be given by the interior construction, the arrangement providing a series of walls that would act as baffles against any blast. By such walls the shelter would be separated into nine communicating compartments.
From the works, entry to the shelter is to be by way of a ramp running down to an air-lock. Persons entering from the street (an entrance that would always have to be used after the start of any raid) would have to descend stairs to the wardens' room, from which are exits to the washing and dressingrooms, These, in turn, are connected with a first-aid room, and so on, to the main shelter.
Allowance has been made for a .ft. wide air-space to give a shield on the street side, and spares bins would be kept there during any raid. Heavy sand-bagging would be put at ground level, on the opposite side of the shelter where the wall is on the inside of the company's premises. There will, of course, be lavatory accommodation, electric and ventilation plant.