A storm shelter room is a place designed to protect you and your family from tornadoes, high winds and flying debris. It can also provide extra space for emergency supplies like water, food and blankets.
They can be built onsite or installed in a prefabricated safe room. Whether you choose to build your own or purchase a prefabricated one, be sure to follow FEMA P-320 and ICC 500 standards.
Protection from high winds
A storm shelter room offers protection from high winds, including tornadoes and hurricanes. These powerful windstorms produce a lot of flying debris, which can penetrate building walls and cause significant damage.
These shelters can be built underground or above ground, depending on the needs of the family and property. Typically, above-ground storm shelters are easier to access than underground ones because they are located within the home or in a storage space like a closet or garage.
In addition, some shelters can be designed to be multi-use spaces, such as restrooms or conference rooms. This can be a good way to utilize unused space without sacrificing safety.
Concrete safe rooms can also offer protection from a variety of other disasters, such as fires and blast forces. They can be constructed using a number of building materials, including concrete masonry, ICFs, or conventionally cast concrete. These structures have been tested to withstand impact from flying debris and other extreme impacts.
Protection from tornadoes
Tornadoes are a major threat to lives and property in the United States. They cause a significant number of deaths each year and can be particularly devastating to homes that are not constructed with tornado-resistant materials.
The best way to protect yourself and your family from severe weather is to have a storm shelter room at home. These safe rooms offer near-absolute protection against the destructive force of extreme winds experienced during tornadoes and hurricanes.
These structures are typically built above ground and are ICC 500 certified for their durability. They can also be built into existing homes or buildings that meet FEMA guidelines.
A storm shelter may be a good choice if you live in an area that experiences a lot of severe weather, such as Tornado Alley. You can also get a government rebate for installing one in your home.
Protection from flying debris
The winds in tornadoes and severe thunderstorms pick up all kinds of debris, turning it into deadly missiles that can penetrate doors, windows and even non-reinforced block walls.
Taking shelter quickly has proven time and again to save lives. Most disaster-preparedness guides direct people to go to their basements, but if your home doesn’t have one or you don’t want to risk the dangers of broken windows and flying debris, you can still take shelter in a storm shelter room.
The best storm shelter rooms are made of reinforced steel and are designed to withstand the full force of tunneling tornado winds and flying debris. The roof, walls and doors in a residential safe room must all meet FEMA standards for resistance to flying debris during a tornado.
Storage space
A storm shelter is an effective way to protect you and your loved ones from the threat of severe weather. However, they are often limited in size.
If you need to maximize your bunker’s capacity, there are several tips and tricks to make the most of this small space. For example, using high-hung baskets for light objects can help you save valuable floor space and ensure that critical items are always within reach.
Another great idea is to install shelves along the walls. This will not only save you floor space but also increase your bunker’s usable area. It can also improve your overall safety by making it easier to navigate the room. The best part is that it will take very little effort to maintain. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged or falling apart during a severe storm. The key is to find the right storage solution that will work best for your needs.
