UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
 
 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION 
 
 BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 
 
 A SIX-MAN BUNKHOUSE 
 
 L. W. NEUBAUER 1 and H. L. BELTON 2 
 
 This plan is one of a series of labor-camp 
 structures prepared to aid farmers in the selec- 
 tion of suitable farm-labor housing during the 
 war emergency, and, at the same time, provide a 
 semipermanent farm housing structure. The bunk- 
 house is simple in design, provides adequate 
 floor space, and is well lighted and ventilated. 
 When properly arranged in a camp group, it pre- 
 sents a neat appearance; moreover, it provides a 
 structure which meets the requirements of the 
 State Labor Housing and Sanitation Act. 
 
 Restrictions on Materials 
 
 Farmers contemplating construction should 
 familiarize themselves with available local ma- 
 terials and should consult with county war boards 
 and other Federal agencies to make certain that 
 they are conforming with regulations regarding 
 the use of any critical materials involved. In 
 some cases, the use of substitute materials may 
 be necessary. 
 
 Size and Framing 
 
 The illustrations show a six-man bunkhouse, 
 16 x 24 feet in size, to accommodate 6 cots. The 
 finished floor is about 12 inches aboveground, 
 level with the 4x4 inch stringers laid on con- 
 crete or rot-resistant wood blocks. A tight 
 tongue-and-groove floor laid on 2 x 6 inch joists 
 placed on 2-foot centers is recommended (see plan 
 A) . The framing for walls and roof is 2 x 4 inch 
 stock, with the studding and rafters placed on 2- 
 foot centers. Bracing and bridging in the walls, 
 and ties 6 feet apart across the ceiling line 
 (plan detail D) , with a 1 x 6 inch vertical stay 
 from ridge to tie, should all be included to pro- 
 vide rigid framing. 
 
 Wall Exteriors 
 
 The wall exteriors may be sheathed with one of 
 the several styles of stock siding laid horizon- 
 tally, or 1 x 12 inch boards and battens placed 
 vertically. Only dry material should be used for 
 the exterior siding. Under war conditions very 
 little dry lumber, suitable for siding, is avail- 
 able. Green lumber shrinks to such an extent 
 that it may be necessary to remove and re-lay it 
 after one season of exposure. In order to avoid 
 this situation, it is suggested that the exterior 
 wall surfaces be sheathed horizontally with com- 
 mon 1x8 inch stock boards, or a common grade of 
 shiplap. These surfaces may then be covered with 
 a good grade of single-ply roll roofing laid ver- 
 tically, with the joints and corners stripped 
 
 Assistant Professor of Agricultural Engineer- 
 ing and Assistant Agricultural Engineer in the 
 Experiment Station. 
 
 2; 
 
 "Associate in Agricultural Engineering. 
 
 with battens or lath. The lower grades of lumber 
 are acceptable for this type of sheathing and 
 such shrinkage as occurs may be corrected as far 
 as tightness is concerned by subsequently sur- 
 facing the walls directly over the roll roofing. 
 It is reasonable to assume that dry lumber of the 
 pattern desired will be more readily available at 
 a later date. The thinner, less expensive types 
 of siding not generally placed directly on the 
 studded walls are also suitable when applied over 
 a tight-sheathed wall of this type. 
 
 Roofing 
 
 The roof surface should be tight-sheathed, and 
 then may be covered with roofing paper similar to 
 that used on the walls. If possible, however, a 
 more permanent type of roofing material such as 
 wood or composition shingles, galvanized iron 
 sheets, or a heavy grade of roll roofing, should 
 be applied. 
 
 Windows, Doors, and Screens 
 
 The windows are of the single-sash type, four 
 lights, 2 feet and 6 inches by 3 feet in size. A 
 drop-in sash supported by wood shields, and a 
 sliding type, are shown in plan details A and B. 
 Sash hinged at the bottom to open inward (sup- 
 ported by a chain), or the ordinary double-hung 
 type of window may also be used. Screens should be 
 installed on all windows. A standard full-panel 
 or panel-and-glass door' may be installed. A home- 
 built door would also serve. The screen door may 
 be either the full-screen or panel-and-screen type. 
 
 Closets 
 
 The clothes closets are constructed of panels or 
 1-inch lumber. They should have a tight top and be 
 equipped with a hanger pole and shelf. A door is not 
 necessary. A 12-inch shelf, supported by wood brack- 
 ets, and placed on the closet wall above the cot, 
 will prove convenient to the occupants. 
 
 Interior Wall Surfaces 
 
 No finish for the interior walls is suggested 
 at this time. If a more finished structure is 
 desired for post-war occupancy, the interior walls 
 may be sheathed with tongue-and-groove lumber, 
 plain boards and battens, or wood or composition 
 panels. A ceiling should not be necessary with 
 tight, smooth-surfaced, roof sheathing. 
 
 Chimney (Optional) 
 
 A galvanized iron chimney of stock design, 
 lined with a 6-inch terra cotta flue and equipped 
 with metal brackets, cleanout plate, and roof cap, 
 is recommended. 
 
 Electric Wiring 
 
 Electric wiring shall be exposed wire with 
 knob and tube installation of a type which meets 
 
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 tvERsn • . 'oc^iA 
 
 COLLEC.i. oLULTURE 
 
 DAVIS 
 
the minimum requirements of the Electrical Safety- 
 Orders of the California Industrial Accident Com- 
 mission. Two ceiling lights controlled from one 
 wall switch near the entrance door, and a double 
 convenience outlet located near the stove are 
 listed. This will provide minimum lighting re- 
 quirements. 
 
 Painting 
 
 Two coats of a good grade of lead-and-oil 
 paint are recommended for all exterior woodwork. 
 When walls are finished with roofing paper and 
 battens, only the trim requires paint. If rus- 
 tic or other wood exterior finish is used, it 
 may all be protected with paint. 
 
 Bill of Materials 
 
 Foundation . . 
 
 or 
 
 Stringers . . 
 
 Joists .... 
 Bridging . . . 
 
 Floor . . . 
 
 Plates . . . 
 Rails and 
 
 headers 
 Ties .... 
 Braces ... 
 Studding . . 
 Rafters . . 
 Ridgepole . , 
 Stays . . . , 
 Fascia-gable 
 
 ends ... 
 Wall sheathing 
 Roll roofing 
 
 for walls . , 
 Battens (or 
 
 wood lath) . 
 Roof sheathing 
 Roofing . . , 
 
 Ridge boards . 
 
 Windows . . , 
 
 Screens 
 
 Doors 
 
 Nails and 
 hardware 
 
 Paint . 
 
 35 concrete blocks, 12"x I2"x 6", 
 35 wood blocks, 3"x 10"x 12" (l) 
 5 pes. 4"x 4"— 10' 
 5 pes. 4" x 4"— 14' (2) 
 
 13 pes. 2"x 6" — 16' (3) 
 
 2 pes. l"x 8" — 10' 
 
 2 pes. l"x 8"— 14* (4) 
 500 bd. ft. l"x 4" tongue-and- 
 
 groove (5) 
 
 15 pes. 2"x 4"— 16' 
 
 7 pes. 2"x 4»_ 16' 
 
 3 pes. 2"x 4"— 16' 
 
 8 pes. 2'*x 4"_io* 
 56 pes. 2"x 4" — 8' 
 26 pes. 2"x 4"_io* 
 2 pes. l'*x 6"— 12' 
 
 1 pc. l"x 6"— 14' 
 
 4 pes. 2"x 4"— 10* 
 
 900 bd. ft. l"x 8" shiplap (6) 
 
 8 rolls 1-ply roofing (7) 
 
 300 lin. ft. 3/8"x lj" strips (8) 
 550 bd. ft. l"x 8" shiplap 
 
 5 squares, or 20 bundles of 
 
 shingles ( 9) 
 
 2 pes. l"x 4»_ 12' 
 
 2 pes. l"x 4"— 14' (10) 
 
 8 only, 2'6"x3'0"x lj" , 4-light 
 sash, glazed; sill and trim 
 as per detail 
 
 8 window screens for above win- 
 dows; screen size and trim de- 
 pendent on detail used 
 
 1 only, 2'8" x 6'8"x 1^" stock 
 panel door 
 
 1 only, 2*8" x 6' 8" xl 1/8" panel- 
 
 and-screen door, trim and 
 stops as per detail 
 
 35 lbs. 8d common wire nails 
 12 lbs. 20d common wire nails 
 20 lbs. 3d galv. nails for 
 
 shingles (11) 
 
 2 lbs. 3d common wire nails 
 
 for battens (12) 
 
 1 lb. each, 6d and 8d finishing 
 
 nails for trim 
 1 pr. 3" x 3" loose-pin butts, 
 
 for panel door 
 1 common rim lock, for panel door 
 1 pr. screen-door spring butts 
 
 1 screen-door pull and catch 
 8 sash catches for windows 
 
 8 prs. window-screen hangers 
 8 only, 2" hooks and eyes 
 
 2 qts. paint, color as desired, 
 
 for trim 
 
 Electric wiring 110 ft., no. 14 insulated copper 
 
 wire 
 28 porcelain split knobs 
 6 only, 3" porcelain insulator 
 
 tubes 
 
 4 only, 4" porcelain insulator 
 
 tubes 
 
 1 only, 30-amp. fused utility 
 
 switch 
 
 2 only, 15-amp. fuses 
 
 2 porcelain screw receptacles 
 1 single-pole switch, with box 
 
 and cover 
 1 duplex receptacle, with box 
 
 and cover 
 
 5 ft. nonmetallic loom 
 Clothes closets not listed 
 
 Rough Summary of Materials 
 
 500 bd. ft. 1" flooring 
 
 1,500 bd. ft. lumber, less than 2" thick 
 
 1,270 bd. ft. lumber, 2" and thicker 
 
 71 lbs. nails 
 
 Electric equipment, including lg lbs. (net) 
 
 copper wire $6.00 
 
 Hardware $4.00 
 
 Cost 
 
 The approximate cost of this burikhouse com- 
 plete, including labor will be about $525, ac- 
 cording to the price range of materials and labor. 
 
 Alternate Construction 
 
 Where good drainage is obtainable a concrete 
 floor may be desired. It is easy to clean and 
 keep in good condition, so provides a satisfactory 
 floor for a bunkhouse. A 4-inch slab of 1— 2|--4 
 mix, with additional thickness at the outside 
 edges for a footing, and a gravel fill beneath 
 the slab to secure the proper elevation of the 
 floor above grade, is recommended (plan detail B) . 
 
 The concrete should be well tamped into place, 
 and the surface edged true and given a smooth 
 finish. Curing for several days with a bed of 
 wet sand or straw is advisable. 
 
 A curbed concrete slab which permits hosing 
 out of the bunkhouse and affords protection to 
 the lower woodwork is shown in plan detail C. 
 
 If a concrete slab is desired, deduct items 
 1 to 5 inclusive from the materials list, and add: 
 
 30 sacks Portland cement 
 
 4 cu. yds. sand 
 
 4g cu. yds. gravel (fill not estimated) 
 16 only 5" x 7" carriage bolts 
 8 lbs. 8d. common nails 
 3 lbs. 20d. common nails 
 
 If rustic siding is desired, deduct items 6, 
 7, 8, and 12 from the materials list, and add: 
 
 900 bd. ft. 1" stock rustic, pattern as desired 
 2g gal. paint 
 
 5 gal. linseed oil 
 1 qt . turpentine 
 
 If roll roofing is desired, deduct items 9, 10, 
 and 11 from the materials list, and add: 
 5 rolls 3-ply roofing paper 
 
 Summary 
 
 If alternate construction is used, the critical 
 materials listed as additions to or deductions 
 from the original list should be corrected in the 
 rough summary of materials. 
 
 10m-6, '43 (6558c) 
 
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