Key Considerations When Choosing a Commercial Storm Shelter

Friday, August 09, 2024

There are several key considerations to take into account when choosing a commercial storm shelter. Learn what these key considerations are below.

Capacity and Size of the Shelter

You need to choose a shelter that can reasonably hold all of the employees and visitors who may be present at the site during a possible emergency. You also need to consider where on your site would be the best place for this shelter to be located and ensure the shelter you choose fits that space.

Compliant with Standards

The shelter needs to meet both durability and safety standards. They must be compliant with both ICC-500 and FEMA P-361 guidelines, which cover such aspects as impact protection, wind resistance, and structural integrity.

ADA Compliance and Accessibility

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is key for your employees and visitors who have need of wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Thus, your shelter must be able to accommodate them as well. Having an underground shelter may make it harder to meet ADA compliance due to the limited access because of the shelter’s underground location.

Requirements for Installation

You need to evaluate exactly what is required to install your shelter. Shelters that are above ground are usually easier to install, as underground shelters require excavation in order to be established. Be sure you have enough available space and that the building structure will be stable before establishing your shelter.

Construction and Materials

Consider the materials used in the shelter’s construction, as well its ability to withstand natural disasters such as high winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes. The highest-quality shelters will often use durable steel and reinforced concrete.

Ventilation and Waterproofing

Ventilation ensures there is a continuous supply of fresh air inside the shelter, particularly critical if people need to stay inside the shelter for an extended period. Waterproofing is particularly important for underground shelters to prevent seepage and leaking during heavy rains and flooding.

Contact us to learn more about how our mobile tornado shelters and robust commercial storm shelters can protect your staff, material, equipment, and tools from severe storm events.

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.

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.