![]() It is important to ensure the blueprint and schematics meet International Code Council (ICC) 500, Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. ![]() These types of projects require more planning and a larger budget, but are a worthy venture for communities that could also benefit from additional public recreational space.ĭoes the blueprint fall under ICC 500 standards? Rather than constructing a safe room that can only be used in emergency, one might consider constructing a shelter that also serves as a cafeteria, gym, rec center, or similar space. These shelters are the easiest to construct in an accessible area that is above water and centrally located.ĭevising a dual-purpose design is useful for communities. When installing a safe room for public use, detached spaces are often preferred. However, if the building has a sound basement and is in an area with a low flooding risk, it is possible to remodel and build a below-ground safety shelter. It is easiest to construct a communal safe room during new construction of a public building. There are three options for the location of a safe room: attached, basement, or detached. Safe rooms constructed in flood-prone areas are commonly built above-ground in areas with the lowest risk of flooding ( i.e. Further, intense flooding could lift these shelters from the ground. Even a tightly sealed shelter that protects occupants from flooding can become dangerous if rescue personnel are unable to reach those inside due to high water. ![]() Proper design is even more important for buildings located in hurricane regions where flooding is a risk. Safe rooms designed to withstand winds and debris will not necessarily offer adequate refuge in the event of flooding. Some questions must be answered when planning a residential or commercial safe room. What should be considered when designing a safe room? This ensures regional weather concerns are considered in the planning process. You May Also Like Rating the states on hurricane-ready codesĬonsulting with a local engineer is also recommended. Depending on the neighborhood, contractors may also need to have their plan for an exterior safe room for a business or community center approved by a local architectural committee. Most new constructions require a building inspection, even if the shelter is detached from the main building. Community or public safe rooms adhere to more strict guidelines in comparison to residential safe rooms. Due to the nature of a safe room, the design plan must be drawn up by an engineer and submitted for review in the local planning department before building begins. Local building codes may affect the construction process of a safe room, but a permit is almost always needed. A community or small-business safe room has a similar advantage.įEMA guidelines for constructing safe rooms The addition of a safe room on a residential property contributes to a homeowner’s peace of mind and increases the value of the home. FEMA breaks down safe room design guidelines into two separate documents: FEMA P-320 for private residences or small businesses and FEMA P-361 for community shelters. While the majority of FEMA’s guidelines apply to both residential and community safe rooms, there are key differences when designing a shelter capable of protecting a large group of people. They are designed to provide what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) considers to be “ near-absolute protection”-a term describing the level of protection necessary to significantly lower chances of people within the room suffering injury or death.īuilding a safe room is not an easy process, as designing a FEMA-approved structure requires following specific guidelines. Safe rooms are specially designed structures that offer an enclosed space for people to seek refuge in the event of extreme weather, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Community safe rooms that need to be tornado- and/or hurricane-safe will need to be designed under FEMA P-361.
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