Q: Can I install a storm safe room in an existing home?
A: Yes, a retrofitted safe room is usually installed in an existing home inside another room such as bathroom, walk-in pantry or closet, or a combination of rooms. A retrofit storm safe room must meet FEMA’s “Room Within A Room” specifications; the safe room can not be attached to any other part of the house except, the foundation.

Q: Can a homeowner build the storm safe room themselves?
A: Yes, as an Owner Builder in most cases. A homeowner who builds a shelter should be somewhat skilled in building construction. A few manufactured units (like prefabricated steel storm safe rooms) are available that require less building construction experience for the homeowner to successfully build.

Q: Where is the best location for the storm safe room?
A: An interior room on a ground floor or a basement and attached to a new or existing slab is the best location for a safe room. Storm safe rooms are often used for other non-emergency purposes. Bathrooms and large walkin closets are a frequent choice. Because warning times for tornadoes can be very short, quick access to the storm safe room is important in choosing a location. If the owners have any special accessibility needs, these should be addressed in the location and design of the storm safer room.

Q: Are homeowners in hurricane prone areas as well as tornado areas being encouraged to build storm safe rooms?
A: Yes. A large number of states and counties are encouraging their residents to build storm safe rooms in their homes; some are offering tax credits and others or offering partial construction cash refunds to the owner’s who do build storm safe rooms. An increasing number of homeowners are building storm safe rooms to protect their families from the high winds and missile damage caused by hurricanes and tornados, or because they are unsure whether they will be able to safely evacuate their home and get to a public shelter in their area. However, homeowners in flood-prone or storm surge areas should evacuate to public shelters to provide safety for themselves and their families when a hurricane threatens. FEMA does not recommend building a storm safe room in homes located in a flood or tidal surge zone.

Q: My house has a basement; do I need a storm safe room?
A: It is recommended as some strong tornadoes have resulted in loss of the first floor framing, collapse of basement walls, death, and injuries to individuals taking shelter in basements. What constitutes an acceptable level of protection is an individual decision. The basement and area under the stairs is the safest place to seek shelter for homes without a storm safe room. However, basements do not provide the same level of protection as a storm safe room. Basements are a good location to build a storm safe room but access for physically challenged individuals may be limited and needs to be addressed in the design and placement.

Q: Do any local jurisdictions require storm safe rooms?
A: Local jurisdictions generally do not have a requirement for storm safe rooms. However, some counties and states have offered incentives for owners who wish to build storm safe rooms in their homes. An example: Kaua‘i County in Hawaii has adopted FEMA standards for storm safe room construction, and offer homeowners a perpetual $40,000 annual property tax credit effective January 1, 2004 for those structures that meet FEMA’S specifications. The State Of Hawaii offers homeowner’s up to $2,100.00 cash rebates for building a storm safe room in their homes that meet FEMA’s specifications. You may want to check with your City, County, or State Representatives for any storm safe room programs and incentives available in your area.

Q: Are inspections required?
A: Yes, it is always important to get proper building permits and inspections for all construction. The builder or owner should ensure that the storm safe room is built according to the plans in FEMA 320 “Taking Shelter From The Storm: Building A Safe Room In Your Home” or to plans that, through testing and engineering, have been determined to meet or exceed the National Performance Criteria for Tornado and Hurricane Shelters required by FEMA. This may require additional quality control inspections by the contractor or the homeowner.

Q: Is there a FEMA approval process?
A: There is not a FEMA approval process. The designs in FEMA 320 “Taking Shelter From The Storm: Building A Safe Room In Your Home” meet FEMA's goal of providing near absolute protection if they are constructed as shown in the plans. Steel storm safe room packages exceed FEMA’s minimum specifications many times over.

Q: Where do I find the doors and hardware for my in residence shelter?
A: The door is usually store-bought. A manufactured door, a pre-hung hollow foam filled 12 gauge steel door mounted in a 10 gauge frame, can be purchased from your local building supply center; a pre-hung 12 gauge steel storm door may have to be special ordered. Doors require heavy-duty hardware. This includes heavy door frames, (3) heavy-duty ball bearing hinges, (3) heavy-duty grade single 1" throw deadbolts, and (1) heavy-duty locking latch lock with a 1" throw. Surface applied slide bolts may be used, but deadbolts are recommended. All heavy-duty pre-hung steel storm doors and hardware are standard on all steel storm safe room packages.

Q: What is the cost of materials for a steel storm safe room in a new home
A: Costs for construction vary as to geographic area (example new addition, concrete foundation, cost per yard; in Houston: $76-$107, in Denver: $85-$120, and on Kauai: $96-$250).  Due to fluctuating steel prices, the cost of materials for steel storm safe rooms are quoted on an individual basis.  Example: as of 1/08, a 14'w x 15'l steel storm safe room with 8'h walls, (2) large storage closets, and a half bath material package averages $45.00 per surface square foot (does not include the foundation, plumbing, or electrical).

 

The cost for "Retro-fit" steel storm safe room attached to an existing concrete foundation pad inside a home, which can double as a walk-in closet, bathroom, utility room, or a combination of rooms, is about the same cost.  You will lose a small amount of space on any room that is "Rretro-fit" because the safe room cannot be attached to the rest of the structure (exceept concrete foundation); in keeping with the "Room Within A Room" required by FEMA.  Whether new or "Retro-fit" construction, the storm safe room can also double as a "Panic Room" if needed.

 

 

Costs will depend on the following factors: