How Is Storm Shelter Testing Carried Out?

Nearly one-third of the United States lies in a region that metrologists affectionately refer to as the Tornado Alley. The state of Oklahoma is located smack dab in the middle of the alley. The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) also states that the majority of America is classified as Wind Zone IV. Here windstorms can propel destruction at up to 250 miles per hour.

The world’s most powerful tornado ever was recorded in Oklahoma, just south of El Reno. This killer twister took place on May 31, 2013, and was reported to have a width of 2.6 miles at its peak. The El Reno tornado also killed four storm chasers.

By now, you must have realized how important getting a storm shelter is for you and your family’s safety. But how can you be sure that the storm shelter company is selling you the best product? Authentication of certification can be an excellent way to check if the tornado shelter is of sound quality.

The Difference between Safe Rooms and Storm Shelters

Safe rooms, storm shelters, and tornado shelters are terms that are used interchangeably, even by manufacturers, the government, and standards organizations. In colloquial use, there is no such difference between the three.

However, the term ‘storm shelter’ was originally adopted from the International Building Code. ‘Safe room,’ on the other hand, comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For the purposes of this blog, we will be using both terms- storm shelters and safe rooms alternatively.

Certification and Testing Procedure for Storm Shelters

Storm shelter companies get their products tested at institutes like Intertek and Underwriters Laboratory (UL). These institutes have access to high-grade equipment that can replicate a tornado vertex by producing winds up to 250 miles per hour. They also use a ‘potato gun’ that fires two by fours of 15 pounds at 100 mph. It may seem like these tests are pretty extreme, but it is necessary to push the limits and mimic the actual conditions of a tornado. It helps determine if the shelter will hold up against the battering of the storm.

Is Your Storm Shelter Certified?

So how are you supposed to tell if your storm shelter is certified or not? It will come with UL or Intertek labels that contain information on the impact rating, the standard used, and other particulars of the testing. Look for the labels near the doors, walls, and locking mechanisms.

EF5 Tornado Shelters are FEMA-approved

As a responsible storm shelter company in OKC, we know that tornado shelters are more of a necessity than a luxury to our homeowners. EF Tornado Shelters only sells FEMA-approved products. We also offer military, veteran, and first-responder discounts. Have more questions? Call us at 405-509-6888.