Preparation for Your Tornado Shelter – Here Is How?

Today, we'd like to answer a few frequently asked questions about storm shelter site planning with EF5 Tornado Shelters. If you need more details, go to the Installation page and download the Site Preparation instructions.

1) Is it necessary for my shelter to have a concrete pad?

One of the major benefits of an above-ground storm shelter is that you won't have to spend any more money on a concrete slab because of the steel-reinforced base. In fact, we recommend erecting your shelter directly on the ground or on a shallow gravel pad.

2) What kind of rock can I use if I want to lay down a gravel pad? What should the gravel depth be?

Please use a stone with a diameter of 3/4" to 1" and some limestone dust mixed in. It's known as "lane bag" in Illinois; other areas of the nation have different names for it. Place the pad no more than 2" - 3" above grade and drive over it with a car or lawn tractor a few times to compact it. Also, keep your height to no more than 3 feet "above the grade level!

3) How level must my shelter site be for the shelter to function?

If you're putting your shelter on bare ground or a gravel pad, all you need is a generally flat surface. It's important that the site doesn't have a crown, as this puts strain on the shelter's floor. You are not required to have your location surveyed; simply level it to the best of your ability. If necessary, our delivery installers will collect a small gravel amount from high spots and low spots during delivery.

4) I'd like to pour a concrete pad on the ground. What should the dimensions and thickness be?

To begin, please pour your pad with good quality concrete and use rebar around the edges (approximately 3 inches) "to reinforce the pad from the outside). On its way to your pad would be a semi-truck carrying a 24,000-pound storm shelter! Allow at least 10 days for the pad to cure before we arrive to install your shelter. Make your pad 1' wider and 2' – 4' longer than your shelter's dimensions (8' x 10' shelter requires a 9' x 12'-14' pad; a 6' x 6' shelter requires a 7' x 8'-10' pad). When it comes to the pad, bigger isn't synonymous to better, so if you a larger pad for pouring please contact the office at EF5 Tornado Shelters first! Also, the pad must not be larger than 4 inches "The truck can easily get up and onto the pad since it is above grade.

Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns about where you want to put your storm shelter. Before our installers arrive to set up your shelter, we will look at your site on Google Earth, send a delivery installer by to see everything firsthand, and help iron out any issues. Take a few pictures with your phone and e-mail them to us, as well as provide us with essential measurements so we can plan ahead of time. Our distribution installers are amazing and can deal in almost any situation. They, on the other hand, despise surprises!