In house storm shelter

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2012

We want to build our new home on a slab.
We planned to make a walk in closet the safe room for tornado protection.
The plan is to use 8" concrete walls and ceiling with rebar and a heavy steel door.
Any ideas if this is satisfactory?
I asked the builder and I think he picked the specs out of thin air.
If an F4 is heading towards us, would you get in the closet with us or would you get in your car and run?

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2012

I'd be right in there with ya if make sure it has an exhaust fan with battery backup :roll:

Janicholson · Apr 20, 2012

I would prefer a poured concrete closet (6" walls) with proper diagonal rebar in each wall. Put it on a deeper than frost footer with J bar into the wall. and a rebar attached and reinforced lid. Blocks depend on porous concrete for tension loads, and shear bracing id difficult to place on diagonals. Jim

elmersooner · Apr 20, 2012

there are FEMA guidelines--Texas Tech recommends one like you are describing--pay attention to the door. price to have one like that installed by contractor is above 5 grand. I have been near a few tornadoes and helped with the fire department after the 99 tornado that hit OKC. saferooms aren't a bad idea. my storm shelter came with the house and the wife doesn't like it due to spiders. been looking into building one when I add on to the house.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2012

You say exhaust but wouldn't you want to pump fresh air IN ??? I wondered about this myself.
Also was considering a land line phone inside and a peep hole to see out of. (In case of intruders or mother-in-law.)

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2012

(quoted from post at 21:35:12 04/20/12) You say exhaust but wouldn't you want to pump fresh air IN ??? I wondered about this myself.
Also was considering a land line phone inside and a peep hole to see out of. (In case of intruders or mother-in-law.)

I was more concerned about your personal hygiene and/or the coming storm scaring the poo outta you :shock:

JerryS · Apr 20, 2012

Just have a way to let the outside world know you're in there in case the storm seals off your exit.

Errin OH · Apr 20, 2012

Block would be a waste of time if not reinforced and filled with concrete. They are, by design, made for load bearing not lateral loads.

A poured wall would be much better. Do not know if it would be an option but for about the same cost you should be able to have a small cistern put under the slab and just have a small box underground to crawl into. I put in an 1800 gallon in 03 and it was only $600 (roughly 10L, 5W, and 5H). But I dug my own hole.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 20, 2012

Just don't build it outta Straw Boss :roll:

Anonymous-0 · Apr 21, 2012

Nice catch Dave!

37chief · Apr 21, 2012

I know if I was there I would be thinking of one. As for the door, you may want to contact a person who deals in safes. I'll bet you could find a old bank valt door. Stan

Stephen Newell · Apr 21, 2012

What if the house fell in around the safe room, you couldn't get out. Then what if the house also caught fire. I think you would need a escape tunnel or inground shelter away from the house.

George Rausch · Apr 21, 2012

Yes, FEMA has guidelines for residential shelters, there is a handout they'll provide, it may be on-line too. As I remember there is even some wood-frame guidelines, and I think the designs are rated for 200 mph, with wind-driven debris like horizontal 2x4's.

Wile E · Apr 21, 2012

I will huff and I will puff and say that you should build your house with a basement. Cement slabs are cold.

Adirondack case guy · Apr 21, 2012

The Journal of Light Construction has a comprehensive articale on storm shelters, in the April 2012 issue. You can access it at "jlconline.com"

retired farmer · Apr 21, 2012

I have seen the beginnings of a tornado forming, no way would I accept your invitation to get in the closet with you.

old · Apr 21, 2012

Check with habitat for humanity they use a form type cement form that is said the be tornado safe up to an EF4 or something like that. As for a room you do need a few things like a way to get air in and out and also you need a supply of both food and water stored in side etc. Back in the 60s my dad built a house with a cement room in it and it was also big enough to use as a place to store canned goods if I remember right all the walls where 12 inches and the ceiling was 18 inches

36 Coupe · Apr 21, 2012

First thing I would do is move out of tornado country.Ive lived in New England for 75 years and have had two tornados pass very close to me.Same goes for flood areas, move out...

john *.?-!.* cub owner · Apr 21, 2012

Make it big enough for chairs or relining lawn chairs since you may have to spend some time in it. It might be a good idea if the door opened in rather than out, so you did not have a problem with debris blocking the door.

cumminspuller · Apr 22, 2012

A closet like that may not be a bad idea if you knew you were never going to have an F5 come through. After seeing first hand what an F5 can do last April in north Alabama. If I were building a safe room in a new house I wouldn't think about anything but an underground shelter. What are you going to do when a twister picks up an 18 wheeler and drops it on your closet? I wouldnt take my chances in one. Having a door that opens in instead of out is a must as well.

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