FEMA 361 & ICC 500 Compliant Tornado Safe Rooms
FEMA 361 & ICC 500 Compliant is the standard for workplace storm safety. No area is immune from dangerous storms, and no one is above the law for protecting workers. While OSHA has developed an extensive codex for worker safety standards, no such model exists for tornado shelters. Unfortunately, tornado shelters are not federally required, and few states or municipalities require potentially life-saving safe rooms in zoned jurisdictions. Most companies view safe rooms as a superfluous expense. Those few businesses investing in onsite storm protection invariably settle for Big Box generic brands offering token resistance from killer tornadoes. U.S. Tornado Shelter’s various-sized tornado shelters and safe rooms protect workers from sudden storms, destructive 250-mile-per-hour wind gusts, and residual debris.
What Does FEMA 361 & ICC 500 Compliant Tornado Safe Rooms Mean?
FEMA 361 & ICC 500 Compliant are guidelines, not laws, for designing and fabricating tornado safe rooms. Furthermore, these guidelines guide tornado shelter operation, potential seating configurations, and requirements for fire-resistant construction. ICC 500 standards and regulations refer to 130 to 250 mile-per-hour windspeed requirements. For tornado shelters to meet ICC 500 standards, they must be able to withstand windspeeds in this presumptive range. U.S. Tornado Shelters subjects all shelter designs to tests, including pulverizing direct shots from 2′ x 4′ lumber. Always inquire about FEMA 361 & ICC 500 compliancy when discussing workplace tornado shelter rental options.
Why Should Jobsites and Communities Value FEMA Compliant Shelters?
Did you know the federal government could reimburse or offset your tornado shelter costs? The only catch? All applicants’ tornado shelters must meet federal standards. While FEMA 361 & ICC 500 compliance details safe room design and construction, FEMA P-361 is the standard for safe room risk assessment criteria, driving Hazard Mitigation Assistance to eligible states. All eligible safe room funding considerations must meet FEMA P-361 (2021) and ICC 500-2020. All U.S. Tornado Shelters are designed and engineered to meet stringent FEMA requirements, potentially offsetting or reimbursing shelter costs. Although federal reimbursement is not applicable for our rental options, we also manufacture infrastructurally identical units for sale, which meet all FEMA standards. Note: We can not file for federal funding reimbursements on your behalf but can provide all pertinent information required for submission. Individual homeowners do not directly apply to FEMA but through the Hazard Mitigation Assistance fund. Contact your county’s emergency management office for further assistance.
Rent vs Own
Although standalone, permanent brick-and-mortar manufacturing facilities should invest in above-ground tornado-safe rooms, transient jobsites require a temporary solution. Our mobile tornado shelters, with or without a base, are ideal for commercial construction sites, oil fields, seasonal building, warehouses, schools, community centers, and more. While we specialize in tornado shelter rental solutions, we can also accommodate permanent orders. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation!