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Storm shelters are essential constructions designed to offer safe refuge during high-wind storms like hurricanes and tornadoes. To ensure their safety and compliance, the International Building Code (IBC) Section 423 outlines specific requirements for storm shelters. Here's an overview of the key points:
Scope: This section applies to the construction of storm shelters, which can be separate detached buildings or safe rooms within other structures. Their purpose is to provide safe refuge during storms with high winds, such as tornados and hurricanes. These structures may be designated as hurricane shelters, tornado shelters, or a combination of both. It's important to note that designing facilities for use as emergency shelters after a storm is outside the scope of ICC 500 and should comply with Table 1604.5 as Risk Category IV structures.
Definitions: The code provides definitions for terms like "storm shelter," "community storm shelter," and "residential storm shelter." Notably, shelters designed for windstorm protection according to ICC 500 are not considered emergency shelters and do not require Risk Category IV structural design, unlike those mentioned in Section 1604.5.
Critical Emergency Operations: In areas with a shelter design wind speed of 250 mph for tornados, facilities such as 911 call stations, emergency operation centers, fire stations, rescue stations, ambulance stations, and police stations must adhere to Table 1604.5 as Risk Category IV structures. Additionally, they must have a storm shelter constructed in accordance with ICC 500.
Group E Occupancies: In regions where the tornado shelter design wind speed is 250 mph as per ICC 500, all Group E occupancies with 50 or more occupants must have a storm shelter complying with ICC 500. This shelter should be capable of accommodating the entire occupant load of the Group E occupancy. However, there are exceptions for certain facilities, including Group E day care facilities, Group E occupancies accessory to places of religious worship, and buildings meeting ICC 500's shelter design requirements.
Scope: This section applies to the construction of storm shelters, which can be separate detached buildings or safe rooms within other structures. Their purpose is to provide safe refuge during storms with high winds, such as tornados and hurricanes. These structures may be designated as hurricane shelters, tornado shelters, or a combination of both. It's important to note that designing facilities for use as emergency shelters after a storm is outside the scope of ICC 500 and should comply with Table 1604.5 as Risk Category IV structures.
Definitions: The code provides definitions for terms like "storm shelter," "community storm shelter," and "residential storm shelter." Notably, shelters designed for windstorm protection according to ICC 500 are not considered emergency shelters and do not require Risk Category IV structural design, unlike those mentioned in Section 1604.5.
Critical Emergency Operations: In areas with a shelter design wind speed of 250 mph for tornados, facilities such as 911 call stations, emergency operation centers, fire stations, rescue stations, ambulance stations, and police stations must adhere to Table 1604.5 as Risk Category IV structures. Additionally, they must have a storm shelter constructed in accordance with ICC 500.
Group E Occupancies: In regions where the tornado shelter design wind speed is 250 mph as per ICC 500, all Group E occupancies with 50 or more occupants must have a storm shelter complying with ICC 500. This shelter should be capable of accommodating the entire occupant load of the Group E occupancy. However, there are exceptions for certain facilities, including Group E day care facilities, Group E occupancies accessory to places of religious worship, and buildings meeting ICC 500's shelter design requirements.
