Safe Rooms

Each year extreme winds like those associated with tornadoes and hurricanes injure and kill people in the US and cause severe property damage.  The safe room concept was developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Wind Engineering Research Center at Texas Tech University for the purpose of developing affordable yet sturdy shelters within single family homes. The Safe Room is a structure that is built specifically to withstand the strong winds and flying debris that accompany severe storms.  They are usually just large enough for your family, such as a walk-in closet.  It is important to note that Safe Rooms are not designed to protect against rising flood water. 

Safe rooms may be retrofitted into existing houses or built as an add-on or as a separate structure.  But if you are considering building a new home, adding a safe room to the home design is an excellent investment.  There are many resources for acquiring safe room plans and additional information.  Here are some good sources to get you pointed in the right direction:

Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House (FEMA 320)
Visit http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/fema320.pdf for additional information.

Design and Construction Guidance for Community Shelters (FEMA 361)
To order a copy of FEMA 361, call the FEMA Publications and Distribution Facility at 1-800-480-2520. Visit http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/nhp_fema361.pdf for additional information