How to Build a Tornado Shelter

A tornado shelter can keep your family away from harm. In this regard, it is important that you have a tornado shelter or storm shelter right in your own home. Building one is not that difficult if you have all the tools and the guidelines.

Step 1. Procure a FEMA 320 Publication

There are regulations and standards that you should follow when building a tornado shelter. To know what is required of you, get a copy of the FEMA 320 Publication. This publication has all the details you will need on how to build your own tornado shelter. Aside from providing detailed information on how to build a near-absolute-protection shelter, the FEMA 320 publication also provides the minimum required design options including tornado shelters built in the garage, basement, as an interior room, or a separate structure. Construction plans and materials lists are also provided. You can get a copy of the FEMA 320 through www.fema.gov.

Step 2. Get a Construction Permit

The National Performance Criteria for Tornado Shelters has regulations that you should follow when building a tornado shelter. In this regard, it is important that you get the appropriate permits and inspection schedules before you start digging up any soil or pouring in concrete to ensure that you are following the law. You can get your construction permits from your local city hall. If you have any adjustments or revisions on the FEMA 320 plans, then you need to have this approved to ensure that it meets the criteria set by the National Performance Criteria.

Step 3. Locate Your Wind Zone

The direction or location of your wind zone is important to determine how strong your tornado shelter should be. To check the location of your wind zone, look at a wind zone map. You can also check it through the FEMA website.

Step 4. Choose the Location of the Shelter

Depending on the data you collected, it can be in the basement, garage, or interior of the home. It can also be a separate structure.

Step 5. Dig the Hole (Underground)

Dig the hole where the shelter will be placed. A standard small shelter should have a 12 x 12 room. Dig at least 3 times this space to allot for the thickness of your shelter.

Step 6. Make the Concrete Floor

Level the floor. Pour some concrete on the floor, enough that it will be 5 inches thick. Let the concrete floor dry.

Step 7. Build the Walls

Measure the size of your walls depending on your preference. Dig holes to place your frames. You can use fiberglass, steel bars, or wood board depending on your wind zone. After you have placed the frames, pour some concrete to the height of your walls. Allow it to dry.

After, place some waterproof membrane covering the entire exterior wall of your shelter. Place some wire mesh on the interior and exterior of your shelter to reinforce the walls.

Step 8. Build the Roof

Build the frame of your roof using the 2 x 4 and plywood. Nail the wood board on top of the plywood and then pour concrete 2 times as thick as your floor. Let it dry.