Tornado Shelter

[90vert]

I use those concrete tanks, also, and they are heavy. Keep in mind that, believe it or not, they CAN float if they're empty and enough water gets under them. There's usually 400-500 gallons of water in them on start-up, so it's not a big problem. I wonder if that company can anchor those shelters somehow to keep that from happening?

Structures like these from any company, Hanson, Turner, Rinker, etc. have some sort of lifting "eye" embeded into the concrete. I think one way to anchor it would be to run a guy wire anchor like those used for telephone poles into the ground at the bottom of your ditch, then run a cable or chain between the two. It would never be seen and would probably get the job done.

[Machx2]

Check these out...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/hsh/2344952114.html

Wow the safe room is even awesome. Make a hell of a gun safe.

[YALE]

I use those concrete tanks, also, and they are heavy. Keep in mind that, believe it or not, they CAN float if they're empty and enough water gets under them. There's usually 400-500 gallons of water in them on start-up, so it's not a big problem. I wonder if that company can anchor those shelters somehow to keep that from happening?

You can always set them on foundation piers, heh.

[ceyko]

Wow the safe room is even awesome. Make a hell of a gun safe.

That's what some do with a vault door and all.

Just not sure there is any real fire rating on them - so no quite like a decent fireproof safe. Just helps protect it from thieves and other folks you don't want around them.

[2K2 LS1]

Check these out...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/hsh/2344952114.html

I will definitely incorporate one of these when we are ready to sell our existing house and built the next!

[Denny]

$3000 FEMA rebate... better get in while the gettin's good.

http://www.wfaa.com/home/Safe-rooms-in-demand-after-killer-storms-121064159.html

[ceyko]

So, we're due to close on the new house next month - assuming the closing on my house does not fall through.

I'm checking into these and will provide updates if anyone is interested. It's seems like we're going to end up in Van Alstyne, TX with 1.5ish acres and plenty of space for a shelter. We're also going to stay with below ground and I'd like it installed by the end of January....it's Grayson County, which from perspective is on the tornado warning list a lot and seems to see a lot of tornados.

The one company from Rhome, TX seems about the only viable option for us in this thread. I don't even want to bother with the one in Amarillo since it'll probably jack up the cost on delivery...etc. I'll double check though to see if they have local installers.

[juiceweezl]

We're moving when our place is sold and will have a little more land to be able to do a storm/tornado shelter.

It's always been nagging at me to live in this area and not have one. I know, most we get here are not terrible, but we'll be going further north. To me it is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

With that said, does anyone have any recommendations on (must be underground)...

-Who to install one?
-The prefab vs say a concrete one?
-Any tips and so forth to be aware of for one?
-Placement? I assume close to the house, but not too close in case the house were to fall on it.

I understand that some may feel this is overkill, but it's not to me. Just curious if anyone has done anything with these on their land or know anything that maybe of assistance for me choosing. Right now, I'm going to work on estimates and understanding cost. However, I need to know what to ask for prior to asking for estimates. Google is going to help, but people's experience is important too IMO.

Take care,

Okay, so here's the skinny on tornado shelters/safe rooms. Let me qualify everything below with this: my company has almost gotten in this business in the past, may get into it in the future, has helped to design several that are on the market, and has products installed with many of the safe rooms on the market. We also sit on the storm shelter national committee.

One, read up on what FEMA says about shelters/safe rooms. They actually have a prescriptive room that you can build yourself. Note that this is a tested system. Link here: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/fema320.shtm

Two, while in ground sounds ideal, I'd caution you about that choice. Most of the time in ground means outside the house. If the sirens go off at 2 in the morning, are you going to want to round up your family, get them dressed in shoes, grab lights, etc. and then go outside your house to get into a shelter which will probably be locked? It's a hassle to go outside. The only way most people recommend and in ground shelter is if it's in the garage.

Three, look at the benefits to an indoor shelter. You can turn the master closet into a shelter and have easy access plus room for everyone. even better is that it's virtually undetectable to anyone looking at it. The only giveaway is the door (which is one of the most important and most expensive parts of the system).

Here are a few examples of shelters that can be retrofitted into an existing house or built into a new one.

DuPont StormRoom: http://www2.dupont.com/Kevlar/en_US/...om_kevlar.html

Test video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-nbUGhzKkg

Note that when you watch the test videos, there is a limiting factor of deflection into the safe room. In other words, the "missile" cannot come into the room or allow the wall to deflect into the room very far as they assume worst case scenario of someone's head against the inside of the wall.

StormBlocker Panels are another awesome product. They have a composite panel that works very well too. Link: http://www.stormblocker.com/

Okay, I'm done with the long post. If you want more information, feel free to PM me. Good luck with your choice.

[ceyko]

Hey juiceweezl, I appreciate the post and do have several questions and would value your input on them.

I just need a little bit to get my questions all lined out and see what you think.

I'm not against a safe room, but would have to weigh pros/cons that you maybe able to help with if willing. Prefer me do all the questions via PM or stick with the thread?

Take care

[red95gts]

For what it's worth, a got a quote for an outdoor below ground unit at $2400 installed. That's in OKC, but I would assume prices would be similar in DFW.

[ceyko]

So far, the only response that I got that I could understand (some of them are very unprofessional in their responses) was 5250 for an 8x6 (6.5" tall)...with vents and the usual basic crap. Plus a delivery charge that is unknown at this time. Not sure I NEED something that big, but it would be nice.

Although, I'm wondering if for 5K if I could not build a safe room that is strong enough for an F5.

[juiceweezl]

Hey juiceweezl, I appreciate the post and do have several questions and would value your input on them.

I just need a little bit to get my questions all lined out and see what you think.

I'm not against a safe room, but would have to weigh pros/cons that you maybe able to help with if willing. Prefer me do all the questions via PM or stick with the thread?

Take care

I'll answer them via PM or here. If it's something you don't mind sharing with others, then post here (and maybe send me a PM to check the thread as I drop in and out because I travel for work). That way others can see the answers if they have the same questions.

[juiceweezl]

Link to National Storm Shelter Association: http://www.nssa.cc/home.php

[Mike]

For what it's worth, a got a quote for an outdoor below ground unit at $2400 installed. That's in OKC, but I would assume prices would be similar in DFW.

Mind saying who gave that quote? I'm in OKC..

[juiceweezl]

Mind saying who gave that quote? I'm in OKC..

I'm sure those giving you quotes on these units know this (and hopefully tell you), but be sure that the doors swing inward. That's what makes passing the test for safe rooms so hard. They have to withstand a "missile" strike in multiple areas including hinges, latch, and corners. Going into a shelter that had an out swing door could end up sucking badly. If something fell over and blocked the door, you're trapped. That's no good, especially if water were pouring into the below ground shelter.

Also check, some insurance companies will discount for a safe room. I'm not sure what they'll do for an outdoor, below ground shelter.