Finding Best Place for Your Tornado Shelter
You took the choice. With a storm shelter above ground, you want to keep your family safe. But you know where you'll put it? Often you didn't think about it, or you just think it would fit in on the backyard patio.
A storm or tornado shelter is a huge investment and you want to know that it is safe and secure when the storm comes.
There are few things you need to look for, such as the accessibility and the foundation before installation, that do not fit into all formulas.
Availability
FEMA has no specific accessibility guidelines. The situation of each individual is different and you need the best possible way to get to your shelter so quickly and safely as possible.
Find the area you can get to as easy and as fast as possible. It's the garage for most people. But a courtyard or a closet can work just as well, provided it is on a concrete base. However, you can be aware of possible dangers as the flying debris and falling trees, when your shelter is outside your home. While the weather forecast is faster and more accurate than ever, the weather can change at once. Can you reach your shelter safely, if it happens quickly?
When you find your ideal location, you must be willing to give up space to avoid a clutter in the area. You won't want to cross the Christmas or lawnmowers box or remove the golf clubs from the shelter entrance when the sirens leave.
You not only want your shelter safe, but when the storm has come to an end you want to escape. Our tornado shelters can also easily be removed from within to give you extra peace of mind when the storm is over.
Constructed Well
More important than anything else is what you put on your storm shelter. You can't put it on the ground, and on the elevated floor it cannot be off the ground. The shelter in a concrete plate is your only option. And there's no specific dome. A steel reinforced sheet, at least 3.5 inches thick, is according to the FEMA guidelines.
But the concrete doesn't just sit on top. Baton is drilled and anchored, so you and your family stay secure. The Safe Rooms Fact Sheet FEMA's Foundation and Anchor Criteria provides details about how to anchor your shelter and recommends a certified expert.
Come to EF5 Tornado Shelters in OKC and place your requirement before it is too late.