Published jointly by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA), ICC/NSSA 500: 2008 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters provides minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide a safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
The magnitude of wind speeds associated with these events require building occupants and residents to evacuate the area or seek protection in a shelter designed for resistance to extraordinary loads and flying debris. This standard provides design requirements for the main wind-resisting structural system and components and cladding of these shelters, and provides basic occupant life safety and health requirements for these shelters, including means of egress, lighting, sanitation, ventilation, fire safety, and minimum required floor space for occupants.
Excerpt from the Foreword
Introduction
In May of 2002 the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) initiated a joint project to write a standard for the design and construction of storm shelters. A standard development committee was created, and the first meeting of that committee was in May of 2003. The scope of the standard is to provide minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide a safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. Hurricanes and tornadoes generate high winds that produce wind pressures on buildings and structures and that create flying debris at levels and intensities than are higher than those for which most commercial building and residences are designed. The magnitude of the wind speeds associated with these storms are such that building occupants and residents are required to evacuate the area or seek protection in a shelter designed for resistance to extraordinary loads and flying debris. This standard provides design requirements for the main wind-resisting structural system and components and cladding of these shelters, and provides basic occupant life safety and health requirements for these shelters, including means of egress, lighting, sanitation, ventilation, fire safety and minimum required floor space for occupants.
Introduction
In May of 2002 the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) initiated a joint project to write a standard for the design and construction of storm shelters. A standard development committee was created, and the first meeting of that committee was in May of 2003. The scope of the standard is to provide minimum design and construction requirements for storm shelters that provide a safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, hurricanes and tornadoes. Hurricanes and tornadoes generate high winds that produce wind pressures on buildings and structures and that create flying debris at levels and intensities than are higher than those for which most commercial building and residences are designed. The magnitude of the wind speeds associated with these storms are such that building occupants and residents are required to evacuate the area or seek protection in a shelter designed for resistance to extraordinary loads and flying debris. This standard provides design requirements for the main wind-resisting structural system and components and cladding of these shelters, and provides basic occupant life safety and health requirements for these shelters, including means of egress, lighting, sanitation, ventilation, fire safety and minimum required floor space for occupants.
SECTION 101
GENERAL
101.1 Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare relative to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes. This standard is intended for adoption by government agencies and organizations for use in conjunction with model codes to achieve uniformity in the technical design and construction of storm shelters.
101.2 Scope. This standard applies to design, construction, installation, and inspection of storm shelters constructed as separate detached buildings or constructed as safe rooms within buildings for the purpose of providing safe refuge from storms that produce high winds, such as tornadoes and hurricanes. Shelters designed and constructed to this standard shall be designated to be hurricane shelters, tornado shelters or combined hurricane and tornado shelters.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Application and Administration. Chapter 2: Definitions. Chapter 3: Structural Design Criteria. Chapter 4: Siting. Chapter 5: Occupancy, Means of Egress, Access and Accessibility. Chapter 6: Fire Safety. Chapter 7: Shelter Essential Features and Accessories. Chapter 8: Test Methods for Impact and Pressure Testing. Chapter 9: Referenced Standards.
