Chapter 403: Chapter 401: 7-Layer Shelter
"After the renovation, the shelter will be divided into seven floors. From top to bottom, the first floor is the living room, the second floor is the living quarters, dining room, and kitchen, the third floor is the workspace and medical room, the fourth floor is the bedroom, the fifth floor is the bar and entertainment room, the sixth floor is the gym and martial arts training ground, and the seventh floor is the pool and hot spring bath." Chen Xin presented the revised design of the shelter to the people inside, explaining each floor.
Looking at the design, Chen Xin’s father was the first to ask, pointing to the two annex buildings on either side of the main body of the shelter: "These should be the greenhouse and power distribution room, right? You’ve combined the water treatment and power distribution rooms together? Are there any safety concerns?"
"This part serves three functions: power distribution, air filtration, and water treatment, spanning three levels." Chen Xin, seeing his father’s inquiry, explained: "Previously, due to space limitations, the power distribution room and water tank were placed in the main part of the shelter, which indeed posed some safety risks and mechanical noise issues.
So, in this renovation, I’ve relocated these facilities to a separate area on the side.
The top level houses the air filter, connected to the outside via ventilation ducts; the air is filtered before being delivered inside the shelter. Additionally, oxygen transported from the greenhouse will mix with the filtered air to meet the shelter’s internal needs.
The middle level is the power distribution room, with the main power supply still being the three previously installed Isotope Thermoelectric Batteries, along with a fuel generator for emergency use only.
The bottom level contains the water reservoir and treatment equipment, drawing groundwater via pumps. Due to the previous presence of hot springs, the water is split into two parts: one portion, after being treated, is sent directly to the hot spring bath, while the other is stored in the reservoir for domestic use.
The overall setup is like this; I’ve readjusted all the equipment, so there shouldn’t be any safety issues.
Plus, as these facilities are placed separately, even if a safety issue arises, it won’t affect the main part of the shelter. The connecting passage can be severed, and maintenance is accessible through the top repair route."
"Safety must be prioritized, especially concerning water and electricity use. I’ve witnessed many safety incidents at the factory due to slight oversights, so caution is imperative." Chen Xin’s father seemed somewhat nagging, but perhaps because he’d dealt with these things his entire life, he was particularly sensitive and cautious about safety issues.
Chen Xin nodded firmly and confirmed, "Safety is definitely a priority. Once the renovations are complete, I hope you can check everything daily, Dad, since no one here understands these things better than you."
"Okay, later you’ll have to tell me the areas needing attention." Chen Xin’s father nodded in agreement.
Seeing his father agree to take on safety inspections, Chen Xin felt a lot more at ease. An experienced technician like his father, having worked in a state enterprise, would cost at least four hundred thousand a year to hire in pre-disaster times. With his help in handling safety issues, Chen Xin couldn’t be more relieved.
"Does anyone else have other questions or think there are further modifications needed?" Chen Xin asked everyone in front of him again.
"Ah Xin, what about the heating equipment? You initially installed a ground-source heat pump for heating. Where are those pumps now?" While Chen Xin’s father was concerned about the safety of water and electricity, Mo Qingyan focused on other aspects.
Chen Xin wouldn’t overlook the heating issue. Smiling, he enlarged the design diagram in front, pointing to a section in the basement where the pool and hot spring bath are located, and explained to everyone: "The original heating equipment has been moved here. Hot water is extracted, dissipated through the ground-source heat pump, converted to thermal energy to supply the circulation system and provide heating for the entire shelter. Afterwards, the cooled water is directed to maintain the pool’s temperature, before being returned underground."
"The pool is actually temperature-controlled?! That indeed sounds like an extravagant luxury!" Qin Lan couldn’t help but find it a bit lavish, hearing that the pool would maintain its temperature.
Chen Xin openly nodded and affirmed, "Outside is freezing cold, but inside is as warm as spring, with a hot spring to soak in and a temperature-controlled pool. It truly is a luxury. However, since we have the means and have moved past the hard times, I think there’s nothing wrong with enhancing our living quality a little."
"Hmm, there’s indeed nothing wrong with that." Although Qin Lan didn’t quite agree with such luxury, she nodded, not opposing Chen Xin.
Chen Xin noticed Qin Lan’s stance but said nothing. As long as she didn’t strongly oppose, he knew she was still supportive, albeit a bit displeased. There was no need to discuss such matters publicly; he could comfort and persuade her when they were alone at night.
"If a comfortable life is what we seek, why not make the kitchen more functional? That way, everyone could enjoy better meals." Chen Xin’s mother suggested or maybe requested, especially since, after her arrival, she was primarily using the shelter’s kitchen, rather than Chen Xin, the best cook amongst them.
Chen Xin nodded in agreement to his mother’s request; it was a simple demand and didn’t require much discussion.
Usually quiet, Han Ping and Han Ze, the brothers, finally raised their hands after everyone else had spoken: "Mr. Chen, could you improve the accommodation conditions in the observation room above? It’s quite cold at night."
"Yes, that’s one of the key focuses of this upgrade. After the upgrade of the observation room, I’ll make new adjustments to improve your living conditions, and eventually, you won’t have to keep night watch." Chen Xin half-playfully explained while revising the blueprint, clarifying with Han Ping and Han Ze: "A communications base station will also be established outside, allowing national network access, so your future job will involve maintaining communications, with special forces taking over security responsibilities."
"Will that special forces unit be stationed here permanently?" Han Ping was aware of the special forces that escorted Chen Xin back, though he didn’t know they would be permanently stationed, overseeing Chen Xin’s security henceforth.