Considerable Factors While Choosing Tornado Shelters

If you live in a storm-prone area, you should consider purchasing a tornado shelter to protect your family from hurricanes and tornadoes. You should invest in quality storm shelters, especially if you reside in a state like Oklahoma that experiences significant storms during hurricane season.

That doesn't imply you should buy the first residential storm shelter you come across. Before you go for your wallet to buy a home storm shelter, think about the following factors.

• Is an Above-Ground Storm Shelter or an Underground Storm Shelter Required?

You should think about which type of storm shelter is best for your home. When deciding between an underground tornado storm shelter and an above-ground tornado storm shelter, there are several aspects to consider. Let's take a look at a few of them.

1. Convenience and Accessibility

Only inside the storm shelter will you be safe from a tornado. This implies that your residential storm shelter should be close by so that you and your family can get to it quickly even if you're in a rush. In this instance, you'll choose for the storm shelter, which will allow all members of your family to get to safety quickly. You should install above-ground shelters inside your home if you have a senior relative with mobility issues or a disabled relative.

During a tornado, having quick access to a storm shelter could give you a new life. The most dangerous threat to people and property is flying debris from a storm. So, if you're having problems getting to your storm shelter, you can get wounded if you get caught in some of the flying debris. A refuge in an underground garage will also function if everyone can get to it quickly.

2. Your House's Structural Design

What type of tornado shelter is appropriate for you depends on the design of your home. You won't need to do substantial house modifications if you have a specific storm shelter room in your home, as you would if your home is small. You'll need a dedicated location that's accessible to everyone in your family, whether you create an above-ground or underground storm shelter.

If you, like the majority of Americans, elect to put your storm shelter in the garage, be sure it is tied to your house. While free-standing garages may have more space for a larger storm shelter, you won't have immediate access to it. When you hire a residential storm shelter installation business, they will inspect your home's structural architecture and recommend the best storm shelter for you.

3. Compliance with the Highest Quality Standards for Storm Shelters

Whether you choose above-ground or below-ground storm shelters, make sure they've been thoroughly tested and certified. The National Wind Institute tests tornado shelters for debris impact (NWI). Your storm shelters will be EF-5 resistant if they have a NWI certification, which means they can withstand winds of up to 250 mph. This means that even when the worst storms occur, you and your family will be safe.

In addition, the NSSA certificate of installation and the NSSA quality verification seal should be on your storm shelter. These certifications attest to the fact that the storm shelters were built to the greatest possible standards. More importantly, the best firms use expert engineers to ensure that your storm shelter is built to the greatest engineering requirements. You'll have more peace of mind knowing that your family is safe during hurricane season since you have a high-quality, dependable, and long-lasting storm shelter.

You should prepare for hurricane season by purchasing a quality storm shelter. Tornadoes are common in the United States, with roughly 1,520 tornadoes recorded in 2019. When it comes to purchasing a storm shelter, the criteria mentioned above will assist you in making the best decision for your property. It's a good thing you'll be able to find a reliable safe room installer who builds and sells commercial and residential storm shelters near you. See us at EF5 Tornado Shelter for more details.