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Building Code Resources Related to Hurricane and Tornado Shelters
The International Code Council (ICC) 500-2014 is a referenced standard in the 2015 editions of the International Building Code, International Residential Code and FEMA P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes: Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms, Third Edition. Buildings or spaces designated for use as a shelter from tornadoes and/or hurricanes within the scope of the International Building Code and International Residential Code must conform to the requirements in International Code Council 500. Highlights of International Code Council 500-2014 cover Administration and Oversight; Structural Design Criteria; Occupancy, Means of Egress, and Access; Fire Protection, Essential Features, and Accessories; and Test Methods. The highlights paper also covers significant changes made to the 2014 edition compared to the 2008 edition of the International Code Council 500.
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Foundation and Anchoring Criteria for Safe Rooms Fact Sheet (October 2015)
Prefabricated safe rooms are becoming more popular as people seek protection from tornadoes. Due to the extreme forces safe rooms may experience, there are very specific foundation and anchoring requirements that, if overlooked, can leave occupants at risk of injury or death during tornadoes. This fact sheet provides graphics and useful information about the foundation and anchoring criteria in FEMA P-361, Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes: Guidance for Community and Residential Safe Rooms, Third Edition, which uses ICC 500, Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, as a referenced standard.