Types of Storm Shelters

If a tornado, hurricane, or severe windstorm should hit your area, a closet or bathtub may not be enough to protect you from injury. You may want a shelter that will protect you from the storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Storm Shelter Association have established standards for storm shelters.

Before deciding on a storm shelter you need to consider exactly how the shelter will be used, what size of shelter you need and where you want to put the storm shelter. The following are the main types of storm shelters:

• Underground – Many homes used to have storm cellars. The underground storm shelter is just an updated version of these cellars. The underground shelter will keep you safe from flying debris and high winds. Installation of the underground storm shelter is a little more difficult as it involves digging through rock. A hole is dug with a backhoe, the shelter is lowered into the hole, secured in concrete, and then the rest of the hole is backfilled with soil. A conduit can also be run for electricity and telephone. Generally, the door is just above the ground. Keep the following considerations in mind when purchasing an underground shelter:

o Underground shelters should be located as close to your home as possible to minimize the risk of injury while trying to get to the shelter.
o Underground shelters need to be strong enough to withstand earth pressures.
o If building for protection from hurricanes, be sure you do not put the shelter in a flood zone.
o The exterior walls should be waterproof to keep the inside walls dry.
o Be sure all family members will be able to manage the stairs that will be required by an underground shelter.
o What provisions are made for ventilation?
• In-home – These shelters are generally built into a home when it is being built new. It is built of concrete, reinforced masonry or a combination of wood and steel. It is difficult and very costly to put one into a pre-existing house. There are metal shelters that are pre-built and can be placed most anywhere in your home. In-home shelters can be made fireproof to protect your valuables. However, you should never use shelters for storage if you are taking up valuable space where you and your family would need to wait out a storm. Each family member will need about ten square feet. Keep the following considerations in mind when considering an in-house shelter:
o Shelter walls must be reinforced to resist the strong winds and flying missiles (debris).
o A reinforced barrier or reinforced steel similar to the shelter can protect the entry.
o The door should open inwards so it cannot be blocked by debris.
• Garage Storm Shelters – These shelters are sometimes called flat shelters because they are installed into your garage floor. There will also be stairs to be navigated with this type of shelter. There are benches for seating and can be built different sizes depending on the number of people you want to accommodate.