Storm cellar

**Types of Storm Shelters**:
– Average storm shelter size: 8 by 12 feet with an arched roof.
– Materials used: Blocks faced with cement and rebar, modified septic tanks, polyethylene, concrete, steel, or fiberglass.
– Installation options: Fully enclosed underground, hillside/embankment, above ground, and below-ground shelters.
– Features: Angled doors to prevent debris blockage, proper anchoring, and compliance with safety standards.

**Design and Construction Standards**:
– ICC/NSSA, FEMA P-361, and ICC 500-2014 standards for storm shelters and safe rooms.
– Structural design considerations and coordination for tornado shelters.
– Importance of debris tests, proper door design, and meeting national performance criteria.

**Safety Features**:
– Baffling system examples for shelter entry.
– Above-ground tornado shelters’ significance and family perspectives on shelter registration.
– Recommendations from the ‘Secure Home’ book by Joel M. Skousen for enhancing shelter security.

**Geolocation Services**:
– Integration of GPS technology in storm shelters for post-storm recovery.
– Emergency response coordination through GPS coordinates provided by shelter owners.
– Ensuring safety and timely responses with geolocation services for shelter functionality enhancement.

**Resources and Organizations**:
– Publications and resources from the National Storm Shelter Association, International Code Council, Inc., and FEMA.
– Reports from Safe Sheds, Inc., TEDx talks on safe tornado shelters, and family testimonials on shelter registration importance.
– Date of publications and sources for further reading and staying updated on storm shelter standards and practices.

Storm cellar (Wikipedia)

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A storm shelter or storm cellar is a type of underground bunker designed to protect the occupants from violent severe weather, particularly tornadoes. They are most frequently seen in the Midwest ("Tornado Alley") and Southeastern United States ("Dixie Alley") where tornadoes are generally frequent and the low water table permits underground structures.