Shelter Types
Underground Shelter
Also known as: in-ground shelter, cellar shelter, garage in-ground
Common underground formats
- Garage in-ground (steel box set into a cut in the garage slab)
- Backyard cellar (concrete or steel with exterior hatch)
- Walk-in basement safe room (where basements exist)
When underground makes sense
Underground works well when garage floor space is limited, when the homeowner prefers the unit out of sight, or when the lot allows a backyard install. It does not work for occupants with mobility limitations, and it requires confidence the hatch can be cleared after the storm.
Distinguished from
- Above-ground shelter
- Above-ground avoids access and debris-blockage concerns. Both perform equally well in the tornado itself when tested to ICC 500.
- Storm cellar
- Storm cellar is a colloquial term for any backyard underground shelter. It does not by itself imply ICC 500 testing.
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