Steel Frame Storm Safe Room & Shelter FAQs

 

 

  

 

 

 

Q: Can I install a Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter in an existing home or business?
A: Yes, a retro-fit storm safe room or shelter is usually installed in an existing home or business inside another room such as a walk-in pantry or closet, storage room, in a basement, a combination of rooms in the center of the home, or free standing in a business. A retrofit storm safe room or shelter must meet FEMA’s “Room Within A Room” specifications; the safe room cannot be attached to any other part of the home or businesses structure (i.e. walls and ceilings) except, the concrete foundation / pad.

With this method of construction, you will lose a small amount of floor, wall, and ceiling space but the shelter offers you, your family, and employee's a safe place that meets FEMA's specifications of "Near Absolute Protection" for any occupants.  This construction method allows you and your employee's immediate access to a storm safe room or shelter without having to go outside and be exposed to high winds, hail, and flying debris in any high wind event.  Your storm safe room or shelter doubles as a "Panic Room" should the need arise.

Q: Can a homeowner build the Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter themselves?
A: Yes, as an Owner Builder in most cases. A homeowner who builds a shelter should be somewhat skilled in building construction. Manufactured units (like prefabricated Steel Frame Storm Safe Rooms & Shelters offered by MEI) are available that require less building construction experience for the homeowner to successfully build themselves. 

An exception: In some states, business owner's may be required to have their storm shelters constructed by a licensed contractor due to general public traffic in or through their business.

Q: Where is the best location for the Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter?
A: An interior room centered in the home or business, on the ground floor, or in a basement secured to the existing concrete slab is the best location for a "Retro-fit" Storm Safe Room or Shelter; a second choice is to be built as a "Free Standing" new addition. Storm shelters are often used for other non-emergency purposes (i.e. closet or light storage); the floor area must be kept free and clear of obstructions to allow immediate use by the occupants. Bathrooms, large walk-in closets, and pantries located in the center of a home are frequent choices. Because warning times for tornadoes can be very short, quick access to the Storm Safe Room or Shelter is important in choosing a location. If the owners have any special accessibility needs, these needs should be addressed in that locations choice and design of the Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter. 

If you have enough room on your property, a Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter can be built as a new addition attached to your home with entry designed via a short 4'w x 8'h x 4' long  hallway that seperates the Safe Room from the existing home.  This construction method meets FEMA's requirement that the shelter itself is not attached directly to the existing home. This method of construction allows the occupants to reach the shelter without having to leave the home and be exposed to high winds, hail, and flying debris.

Q: Are homeowners in Tornado and Hurricane prone areas being encouraged to build Storm Safe Rooms or Shelters?
A: Yes. A large number of states and counties are encouraging their residents to build Storm Safe Room or Shelter in their homes or businesses that meets FEMA's specifications; some are offering tax credits and others or offering partial construction cash refunds to home owner’s who build storm shelters. An example: The County of Kauai, Hawaii offers home owner's a perpetual $40,000.00 annual property tax credit that is transferable should the home be sold; the new buyer need only to re-apply for the tax credit.  Unfortunately, there may not be any tax credits or cash rebates offered to businesses at this time.

An increasing number of homeowners and businesses are building Storm Safe Rooms or Shelters to protect their families or employee's from the high wind events and missile damage caused by Tornados and Hurricanes or because they are unsure whether they will be able to safely evacuate their home or business and get to a public shelter in time. However, homeowners and businesses in flood-prone or storm surge areas should evacuate to public shelters to provide safety for themselves, their families, or employee's when a hurricane or flooding threatens. FEMA does not recommend building a Storm Safe Room or Shelter in homes or businesses located in Flood or Tidal Surge Zones.

Q: My house has a basement; do I need to build an additional storm shelter?
A: Yes, it is recommended as some strong tornadoes have resulted in loss of the homes first floor framing and floor joists resulting in the collapse of the home and basement walls causing injuries and fatalities to individuals taking shelter there. What constitutes an acceptable level of protection is an individual decision.

The area of the basement under the stairs or in an enclosed room built next to at leased two basement walls are the safest places to seek shelter for homes or businesses without a storm shelter. However, these areas do not provide the same level of protection as a Storm Safe Room or Shelter that meets FEMA's specifications of "Near Absolute Protection" for its occupants. Basements are a good location to build a Steel Frame Storm Safe Room or Shelter but access for physically challenged individuals may be limited and needs to be addressed in the design and location of your shelter.

Q: Is the storm door in a Storm Safe Room or Shelter required to swing outward?

A: No, the steel storm door should open inward to allow easier exiting or rescue of the shelter occupants should the rest of the home collaps onto, around, or across the door entry.  It must be remembered that during and after a high wind event, there may or may not be any electricity for the occupants to be able to use power tools to aid in exiting a shelter that may have the exterior pathway blocked by storm debris across the door exit.