Primary Blog/Above Ground Storm Shelters/How to Choose the Right Storm Shelter for Your Workers

How to Choose the Right Storm Shelter for Your Workers

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

When operating in remote, high-risk, or disaster-prone locations, ensuring the health of on-site personnel must always be a top concern. Industries such as oil and gas, construction, and emergency response often expose workers to severe weather conditions, making accessible protective facilities more essential than ever before. Choosing the best protective building or storm shelter is not merely a compliance exercise—it's a corporate decision that reflects a firm's commitment to the health of its workers, continuity, and operational reliability.

Evaluate the Risk Profile of Your Site

Every job site presents unique environmental threats. Some areas face frequent tornadoes or hurricanes, while others might experience flash floods or extreme winds. Before deciding on any protective solution, an in-depth risk assessment is critical. This procedure includes evaluating:

• Historical weather patterns in the region
• Regulatory requirements for workplace safety
• The number of employees working on-site at any given time
​• Proximity to emergency services or hospitals

Once these factors are assessed, companies can determine what level of structural integrity and occupant capacity is required. Industrial sites in tornado zones, for instance, may need an above-ground storm shelter engineered to withstand EF5-level winds, while areas susceptible to flooding may call for raised or portable alternatives.

Prioritize Engineering Standards and Certifications

Not all protective structures are created equal. The right choice must adhere to established national standards, such as those set by FEMA or ICC 500. These certifications ensure that the storm shelter meets strict wind, pressure, and impact resistance criteria. When reviewing options, it’s essential to verify:

• Structural materials (steel, reinforced concrete, etc.)
• Ventilation and air filtration systems
• Anchor systems for stability in extreme conditions
• Accessibility and ADA compliance, if required

Choosing a shelter with third-party testing and certification not only guarantees durability but also enhances confidence among employees who rely on these facilities during emergencies.

Consider Usability, Capacity, and Maintenance

Beyond technical compliance, practical functionality should guide your selection. Evaluate how quickly the shelter can be accessed, how many people it can accommodate, and whether it supports prolonged occupancy in worst-case scenarios. Interior space should include necessities like seating, lighting, and temperature control for longer durations. Equally important is the shelter’s maintainability. Structures that are difficult to inspect or require specialized servicing may lead to operational downtime or become unsafe over time. A good shelter should integrate seamlessly with the daily operations of the worksite while remaining easy to inspect and maintain. Portable designs offer additional flexibility for companies operating across multiple sites or shifting project zones.

Protecting Your Workforce with Proven Shelter Systems

At Red Dog Shelters, LLC, we recognize the complex demands of industries working in extreme and challenging environments. That’s why we focus on delivering dependable safety solutions tailored to workforce protection. Our storm shelters are designed to meet rigorous safety standards while supporting rapid deployment and usability in real-world conditions. We help our clients make informed, confident decisions that align with both regulatory expectations and operational needs.

Visit us today to explore our range of protective shelters and ensure your team is prepared for whatever conditions may arise.


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All shelter designs are protected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office under US Patent No's:

#8,136,303, #8,375,642, #8,245,450, #8,534,001, #D685921 and other Patents Allowed and Pending.

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Each Red Dog Shelter is individually stamped and certified by Red Dog Shelters via 3rd party analysis and as authorized by the appropriate Authorities Having Jurisdiction to meet or exceed every major US recognized safety standard for EF-5 tornadoes including the International Code Council (ICC500-2008 American National Standard). The ICC / NSSA STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF STORM SHELTERS, the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) Standard, the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency 320 and 361 Guidelines, and the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE 7-2005 "Minimum Design Loads for Building and Other Structures." Red Dog also certifies all shelters are compliant with the FEMA's Publication "Taking Shelter from the Storm" FEMA P-320, Third Edition/August 2008.

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