There are many prefab safe room/storm shelter options available. You might also want an external security camera in a discrete location. If your safe room is a panic room, make sure you have a heavy duty dead bolt or crossbar door lock. Make sure the safe room door opens in to the shelter, not out, in case debris blocks the exit.
Most of us have seen tornado and hurricane debris driven through tree trunks and appliances – a standard lightweight door is not going to cut it. Secure walls to the foundation and roof, and use a steel door and reinforced door frame. If you are building a safe room, choose steel or concrete walls rated to stand up to high winds or projectiles. Some larger units include bunks and addition storage space for long term shelter. There are safe rooms designed for above ground or below ground installation. Stand alone structures are another option. You may be able to repurpose an existing room by fortifying it. Retrofitting a safe room in an existing home will be 20% or more than the cost of building new. You don’t want to have a projectile proof walls and door only to have the entire structure tear loose. Whether your safe room is at or below ground level, make sure it is securely tied in to a foundation. Place safe rooms in an interior location with easy access. Soil is heavy, and wet soil is even heavier. Don’t think you can just bury an old shipping container in the yard and call it good. A safe room that collapses under load (winds, wet soil, building collapse, etc.) is nothing more than a death trap.ĭo some research before you build – don’t be that guy who just starts digging a hole in the backyard, only to run into a high water table or unstable earth. Make sure to reinforce the walls and ceiling, and anchor all pieces together. If anyone in the family has mobility issues, figure out a plan to get them to safety before emergencies hit.
#Building a safe room door how to#
Make sure that everyone in the family understands when to use the safe room and how to secure it. Rooms in the basement or below ground are common for tornado shelters, because they can't blow away.
#Building a safe room door windows#
Avoid rooms with windows if possible, as these are more difficult to secure. You want to be able to take shelter quickly when needed. In some locations, a panic room for home invasions or terrorist attacks may be the best option.Ĭhoose a safe room location that is easy to access. Hurricane prone areas need protection from high winds, and possibly flooding. Tornado prone areas need a wind resistant storm shelter.
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