Designing Storm Shelter to Ensure 100% Safety
In the U.S., where an average of 1253 tornadoes occurs every year, storm shelters are critical – mainly in central and Mid-West states. It is recommended to create secure places for those who live in these sensitive areas, particularly for those who spend time in essential and educational facilities.
The code requires ICC-500 tempest protection with more detailed requirements, for which a storm shelter, its occupancy and its location are necessary, for IBC's 2015 and 2018. In the context of design, construction or the installation of storm shelters for protection from high-wind winds associated with Tornadoes and Hurricanes, the ICC-500 lays down the minimum requirements of public health protection, safety and general welfare. The design and construction of storm shelters, which are either stand-alone structures or security rooms, creates uniformity. Ask storm shelter companies near you to get a right guidance.
When designing a storm shelter, the three main factors are:
Place - Know how the location influences space costs and functionality.
MEP and structure system options - Do not underestimate the effect of system selection on the project. Redundant systems, protection of critical equipment parts, and more may be part of the requirements.
Breaking Envelope-Protecting occupants against breaches of envelopes is critical. Selecting door and windows, including shutters, or addition of safeguards is an essential step in the building of a tempest shelter.
The tornadoes' unpredictable nature requires quick and always safe and code-controlled reactions and storm facilities. In accordance with ICC-500, all storm shelters will be reliable and consistent, whether they are independent or part of an essential or educational institution.
Our expertise covers high-rise storm shelters that are extremely resistant to storm and thus occupants. Started in the 1970s, we divided our designs into two shelter categories:
Class A-Category A is a tempest-resistant system that offers the occupants reasonable protection against a 100-year tornado direct hit with winds above 318 m h–1. A tornado of 100 years is defined as a storm which can occur one time in a certain area over a period of 100 years (similar to the standard definition of a 100-yr flood). Note that the design of a class A shelter, as stated in the introduction, exceeds the recently launched FEMA recommendations.
Class B- It is a tempest-resistant plant that provides an adequate level of protection against near missing tornados, the largest tornados or a direct impact of a weaker tempest. Class B shelters include strategies such as earth berming of external walls and consolidated corridors. In general, this design meets FEMA's recommendations for community housing.
Ask us at EF5 Tornado Shelters in OKC if you are looking for a storm shelter company. Give us a call and we are not far away.