Former RAF Faldingworth atomic bomb store: DD atomic bomb storage building to the east of the inner roadway

A former bomb storage building, designated type DD, dating to the early 1950s and built to the designs of the Air Ministry.

MATERIALS: the storage bay is constructed of reinforced concrete with breeze-block panel infill. The doors are of strengthened metal sheeting.

PLAN: the building is a long rectangle on plan orientated south-east to north-east, and is surrounded by earthen bunding, the ends of which are faced with a concrete retaining wall towards the road.

DESCRIPTION: the main section of the structure is 58 metres long and 18 metres wide. At the front the main space is flanked by two projecting sections which are taller than the main structure and contained rooms for ventilation equipment and other plant. The main storage area is rectangular and has a flat roof. It extends back from the loop road. The frame is exposed and stands proud of the breeze-block panels. At the front the main space is flanked by two projecting wings which are taller than the main space and contain rooms for ventilation equipment. Plans show that a large ventilation pipe originally extended from here back along the roof of the building. In front of the main block is a large gantry, which is higher than the rest of the building and has a frame supported on tall concrete columns. The roof of the gantry is composed of reinforced concrete members supported by three larger profile concrete beams; they in turn are integrated with a larger principal cross-beam. The central beam also carries the metal hoist track, although the hoist itself is no longer in situ. To either side of the bay are concrete retaining walls which support the earth bunding surrounding the structures. The entrance is via a two-leaf metal reinforced timber door with a wicket in one leaf

INTERIOR: the interior of the storage bay is one large space which is divided into eleven bays long by three bays wide by a series of supporting columns. The central bay is narrower than the outer ones. The space is also defined by the large supporting beams which carry the roof and are aligned with the columns. The space is finished with painted render.